Description
On the way to the Rozhen Monastery, you will not only pass the historic city of Melnik, where you will enjoy your lunch later but before you arrive you will be amazed by the so-called Melnik Earth Pyramids on either side of your route. The sand Pyramids are a unique natural phenomenon and have been formed by centuries of erosion from wind and rain.
If you have already visited the Rila Monastery or are still planning to, you will see the enormous contrast with Rozhen Monastery. The overwhelming magic and the impressive architecture have been exchanged here for tranquillity and simplicity.
The exact date of the founding of the Rozhen Monastery is not known, but according to historiography, the name of the monastery was first mentioned in a Greek manuscript dating back to the 13th century. In the middle of the 19th century, during Ottoman rule, the Rozhen Monastery became a refuge for revolutionary activists from the region.
One of the most impressive sights is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary who was supposed to heal the sick. It is a copy of another world-famous icon found in the sea near Mount Athos more than 1000 years ago.
The Rozhen Monastery owes its fame mainly to its sculpted icons and incredible frescoes. All the buildings of the monastery were built in different periods, with the monks' dining room and several buildings of the farm as the oldest, dating back to the period before a fire in the 17th century.
In addition to well-preserved murals, the monastery is also known for its stained glass (the oldest of its kind preserved to this day) and unique carvings. Although the monastery today no longer offers food or shelter, many find here their peace, energy and food for the soul.