Spiritual Life
Spiritual life is essential for Christians, and thousands are those who live in the Holy Spirit in faithfulness and devotion. For the Orthodox Church, genuine spiritual life is being experienced both in the world (in the churches and the everyday life) and in solitary. The monastic life however is well known for its high levels of spiritual life in the Lord. Veliko Tarnovo diocese is famous with its monasteries and convents where monks and nuns live a true life in the Holy Spirit. Here is a short information about some of the monasteries, more will be added soon!
P.S. The page is still under construction. It will soon be updated and include genuine information on Christian spiritual life as lived by the various Christian traditions and faithful people in their churches.
Veliko Tarnovo Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
Veliko Tarnovo Monasteries
Holy Trinity Monastery
13th century convent, renovated 20th century. Situated 7 km from Veliko Tarnovo, on the northern side of the mountain, just opposite the Holy Transfiguration monastery and Yantra river flowing down in the valley between the two monasteries. There is a narrow road to the monastery. Offers accommodation and meals.
Holy Transfiguration Monastery
A 14th century monastery, renovated 19th century. Situated 9 km from Veliko Tarnovo on the southern side of the mountain, 4 km. off the main road Veliko Tarnovo to Gorna Orjakhovitsa. There are four churches in the monastery. Offers accommodation and meals.
Arbanassi Village
The Assumption of the Mother of God Monastery
A 13th century convent, renovated 17century. Situated only 5 km from Veliko Tarnovo in one of the most picturesque village in Bulgaria. It is famous with the miracle-working icon of the Mother of God in the monastery church. Offers limited accommodation.
St Nicholas Monastery
A convent of 13th century, renovated 17th century. Situated only 5 km from Veliko Tarnovo in one of the most picturesque village in Bulgaria. Offers accommodation and meals.
Lyaskovo
Sts Peter and Paul Monastery
A 12th century convent, renovated 17th century. Situated 6 km north-east of Veliko Tarnovo and 3 km south-west of Lyaskovets on a high rock in the mountain. There is a good road leading to the monastery. Offers accommodation and meals.
Prisovo Village
St Panteleimon Monastery
A 19th century convent, renovated 20th century. Situated some 6 km from Veliko Tarnovo in the village of Prisovo. Offers good accommodation and meals.
Plakovo Village
St Prophet Elijah Monastery
A 13th century monastery, renovated 19th century. Situated 18 km. from Veliko Tarnovo in Elena mountain, just 2 km. from Kapinovo monastery. There is a good road leading to it. the monastery offers limited accommodation (meals can be served at request).
Elena
St Prophet Elijah Monastery
A 20th century convent. Situated some 29 km from Veliko Tarnovo at the foot of Elena mountain. Offers limited accommodation (and meals on request).
Dryanovo
St Archangel Michael Monastery
A 13th century monastery, renovated 17th and then 19th century. Situated in the mountains, 33 km. from Veliko Tarnovo and 18 km from the city of Gabrovo. The monastery offers very good accommodation and meals. It lies just 1 km. off the main road Veliko tarnovo-Gabrovo. There are several restaurants and cafes and camping sites near the monastery.
Batoshevo village
Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple Monastery
A 19th century convent, renovated 20th century. It is situated in the mountains, 38 km from Veliko Tarnovo and 15 km. from the city of Gabrovo. The convent offers good accommodation and meals.
The Assumption of the Mother of God Monastery
A 13th century monastery, renovated 19th century. Situated in the mountains, 39 km. from Veliko Tarnovo and 14 km. from the city of Gabrovo. The monastery offers good accommodation.
Kapinovo Village
St Nicholas Monastery
A 13th century monastery, renovated 17th century. Situated at the foot of Elena mountain some 22 km. from Veliko Tarnovo. Offers accommodation and meals. There is a camping site and restaurants near the monastery.
Kilifarevo Village
Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery
A 14th century convent, renovated 18th century. Situated at the foot of the Kilifarevo mountain, 12 km from Kilifarevo town and 24 km from Veliko Tarnovo. Offers accommodation. There is a restaurant near the monastery.
Merdania Village
St 40 martyrs Monastery
A 13th century convent, renovated 19th century. Situated in Merdania village near the main road Veliko Tarnovo to Elena some 22 km from Veliko Tarnovo. Offers ggod accommodation (and meals on request).
Sokolovo Village
The Assumption of the Mother of God Monastery
A 19th century convent. It is situated just 4 km. from the famous ethnographic complex ?Etara?. Good roads lead to the monastery. It offers good accommodation and meals. There is a restaurant near the monastery.
Svishtov Region
Mother of God Monastery
A 14th century convent, renovated 19th century. Situated near the town of Svishtov and some 61 km from Veliko Tarnovo. Offers good accommodation (and meals on request). There are cafes and a restaurant near the monastery.