Aladzha Monastery
This is one of the few preserved and accessible rock monasteries in Bulgaria, dating from the early Middle Ages and conforming to the hesychastic idea of silence, asceticism and moral perfection. Monastic cells and a small church have been dug into a sheer rock, 14 km from the city of Varna and close to the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands. Differently colored 13th-14th century frescoes are still discernible on its walls.
Arbanassi Monasteries
There are two monasteries in the village of Arbanassi, which is situated 3 km away from Veliko Tarnovo - St.Nikola and Holy Virgin. Between the 17th century and the period of its tragic devastation two centuries later, the village - one of the wealthiest in pre-liberation Bulgaria - boasted a rich and unusual house architecture - the work of skilled masters from different parts of the country. St. Nikola Monastery was part of the widespread religious construction under the Assen dynasty, the founders of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Its artistic and historical value lies above all in the surviving murals in the St. Elija Chapel, probably dating from 1716: “Scenes from the life of St Nicholas,” “The fiery ascent of St Elijah,” “Christ Pantocrator,” and “Virgin Odigitria”. The effective coloring and rich palette, the confidence in the portrayal of the human figures, the unusually varied architectural decoration reveal the hand of a master from a superior and more erudite school – the Tryavna Art School. Another valuable treasure of the monastery is the polychrome carved wooden iconostasis dating from late 17th century, famous for its delicate and exquisite decorations. Though situated in the same village, the Holy Virgin Monastery suffered a different, though no less tragic fate. It is not known how it survived the attacks in 1393. During the first centuries of Ottoman rule, it remained a wealthy monastery but gradually declined due to the persistent raids of Ottoman bandits. In the 17th century the monastery was restored by the local population. What has remained of the church frescoes warrants the assumption that they were painted by traveling artists - highly paid at the time, but still affordable for the wealthy inhabitants of the village of Arbanassi. As a result, the Holy Virgin Monastery also has some valuable Tryavna Art School style icons.
Rila Monastery
The most impressive monument from the Bugarian National Revival period rises amidst the rugged beauty of the Rila Mountain, just 120 km from Sofia. Founded in the 10th century, several times destroyed and rebuilt, the Rila monastery has survived the times with the self-confidence of the most zealous guard of the Bulgarian spirit and language. Today it still fascinates its visitors with the pure and harmonious line of the buildings' exquisite colonnades, arches and vaults, the spacious rooms richly decorated with murals and the marvelous gold-plated iconostasis. The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th century Hrelyu Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the intriguing monastery kitchen from the 19th century. The monastery also houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books. In 1983 Rila Monastery was included in the UNESCO List of World Heritage
