Bulgaria

Historic monasteries and churches in Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s spiritual landscape features a blend of Eastern Orthodox monasteries and Ottoman-era landmarks. This collection includes the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and the medieval rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo, known for their 14th-century frescoes. Significant sites from the Second Bulgarian Empire in Veliko Tarnovo sit alongside the 14th-century Djumaya Mosque in Plovdiv and the 16th-century Alevi mausoleum, Demir Baba Teke. These sites showcase diverse architectural styles, from Byzantine-influenced stone masonry to intricate wood carvings and defensive fortifications.

Rusalina / CC BY 3.0

Rila Monastery

The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery ("Sveti Ivan Rilski", is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox…

avishai teicher / Public domain

Djumaya Mosque

The mosque is an example of history in Plovdiv. The monumental minaret can be seen from far away.

Vic Sirbu / CC BY-SA 4.0

Basarbovo Rock Monastery

The only active rock-hewn monastery in Bulgaria, this site dates back to the Second Bulgarian Empire. Located in the Rusenski Lom River valley, it features a rock-cut chapel, monk cells, and the tomb of Saint Dimitrius of Basarbovo.

Klearchos Kapoutsis / CC BY 2.0

St. Constantine and St. Helena Orthodox Church

The Church of St Constantine and Helena is a church in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. It is considered to be among the oldest churches in the city.

Kmrakmra / CC BY-SA 3.0

Bachkovo Monastery

The Bachkovo Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos, archaically the Petritsoni Monastery or Monastery of the Mother of God…

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo are a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely…

Troyan Monastery

The Monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God or, as it is more commonly called, the Troyan Monastery is the third largest…

Dryanovo Monastery

The Dryanovo Monastery is a functioning Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated in the Andaka River Valley, in Bulgarka Nature Park in the…

Transfiguration Monastery

The Transfiguration Monastery or the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God is an Eastern Orthodox monastery located in the Dervent…

Klearchos Kapoutsis / CC BY 2.0

Church of the Holy Mother of God

The Church of the Holy Mother of God is the popular name of a medieval Eastern Orthodox church located in Asen's Fortress.

Izvora / Public domain

Demir Baba Teke

Demir Baba Teke is a 16th-century Alevi mausoleum near the village of Sveshtari, Isperih municipality, Razgrad Province in northeastern…

Sv. 40 mcenici

Built in 1230 by Tsar Ivan Asen II to commemorate the victory at Klokotnitsa, this medieval Eastern Orthodox church served as a royal burial site. It houses significant historical artifacts, including the Omurtag and Asen columns with Proto-Bulgarian inscriptions.

St. Cyril and Metodius Church

One of the most famous church in Burgas is marvellous both from the outside and inside. It was built in 1899 and designed by Usta Gencho.

Dragalevtsi Monastery

Dragalevtsi Monastery of the Holy Mother of God of Vitosha is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery on the lower slopes of Vitosha mountain on the…

Anton Lefterov / CC BY-SA 3.0

Church of Virgin Mary

Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God is an Eastern Orthodox church located in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria.

Peter Georgiev / CC BY 2.5

Arapovo Monastery

The Arapovo Monastery of Saint Nedelya is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery lying some six kilometres east of the town of Asenovgrad in…

Kilifarevo Monastery

Established in 1348 as a major center for Hesychasm and medieval Bulgarian literature, this monastery was later rebuilt in the 19th century by the architect Kolyu Ficheto. It features the Church of Saint Demetrius and preserved National Revival period buildings.