glozhene monastery (sveti georgi pobedonosets)

The monastery itself is not so glamorous, but the nature is beautiful and the road to there is really exciting (the last 10 km there is width for one car only). Be prepared for a paid car parking outside the monastery, as well as "taking photos" tax inside the monastery. There is a cave nearby, but we didn't visited it.

The road to the monastery is narrow and winding, but when before my eyes opened monastery just speechless . It seemed so unreal and fantastic . I was amazed by nature, height and everything around. The view opens from the stone terrace of the monastery , is a charming and majestic . Here as if time has stopped. Monastery is incredibly beautiful and preserved in ancient spirit. Do not miss a walk through the woods around the monastery and saw him afar from the cliff over which he crouched , the view is amazing and worth it. Legend of the monastery said that Russian prince Glozh founded a settlement in the vicinity of the Vit River, named after him - Glozhene. He founded the village and began to build a monastery " St. Transfiguration " in Gradishteto . When Prince Glozh come to Bulgaria brought with him from the Kiev Lavra Pechorsk - icon "St. George ." Among the Temple was ready to put him on the icon " St. George ." But the walls of the monastery began to crack . As many times as they recovered , they again cracked . Moreover, had disappeared and the icon of St. George in an inexplicable way. While speculation and wondered how it was possible that the monks of the monastery noticed a strange light on the eastern slope of the mountain ridge Lisets . This hill is located 870 meters above sea level , in the 1,095 m high peak Kamen Lisets . When the monks came to light in amazement saw that it comes from the reflection of the sun on a silver plate on the icon.And the icon itself was the highest rock on top. Monks gone icon and back to its old place in the monastery. But what was their surprise when the next morning , the icon in the most inexplicable way was again open the rock of Mount Lisets . Then the prince took Glozh mysterious escape of the icon as a sign that there on inaccessible hill, he must build a monastery.

Even though it sounds and looks quite distant (as a monastery usually would) the Glozhene monastery is breathtaking! As old as about 1000 years, it gives you a fascinating view over the Danubian plain in a nice weather! The road is pretty difficult (in winter almost inaccessible), but at the end - WOW, you feel in a holy place somewhere in the heart of the holy Nature!

The most stunning thing about this Monastery is the view - spectacular, overwhelming! The monastery is small and charming, you could sense its spirit.

very special atmosphere and an interesting history, helpful monk as guide, easy to get to......

One and half hour drive from Sofia, close to the city of Teteven, in the heart of Tetevenski Balkan. The monastery is in the rocks and the surroundings are perfect for hicking.