t about 150 ancient monasteries with long history are spread throughout Bulgaria - an impressive number that indicates the deep religious faith of Bulgarians and the close relation of public and private life with the ecclesiastical traditions and institutions. Despite the violent events, restoration and remodeling that have been occurring in the course of many centuries, Bulgarian monasteries have kept their rich culture, imposing architectural appearance and superb interior decoration.



Centers for initiating the Slavonic alphabet and Cyrillic script at the beginning, they later became a cradle not only for the nation's literary culture but also for the Bulgarian Mediaeval art embracing murals, calligraphy and architecture. Bulgarian monasteries with their massive external fortress walls and finely composed iconostases, icon-cases and woodcarvings are genuine masterpieces of architecture and art that create a special atmosphere, which fills travelers with a feeling of awe and admiration.