Arbanasi Monastery

"Arbanasi Monastery Holy Virgin" 🇧🇬

Hello, group! Today I would like to introduce you to another beautiful historical heritage, the Holy Virgin Monastery.

I took a few photos while walking around and admiring this beautiful place. The silence and tranquility there are incredibly pleasant.

The history behind this fascinating monastery:
The Arbanasi Monastery "Holy Virgin" was built during the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Its establishment was supported by Patriarch Evtimiy during the turbulent years when Bulgaria was divided by the Shishman family. This is evident from the inscriptions found both here and in the Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity. After the fall of the Bulgarian capital Tarnovo in 1393, the "Holy Virgin" Monastery miraculously survived. During the first centuries of Ottoman rule, it remained a prosperous monastery but later fell into disrepair due to the constant raids by the Kırdjali (Ottoman irregular troops).

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Arbanasi Monastery "Holy Virgin" was revived by the local population and became a convent. The present church was built in 1680 and initially served as the parish church for this part of the village. Later, in 1716, under the initiative of the Trojan monk Daniel, residential buildings were constructed around the church, thus reviving the monastery's activity. During the last raid by the Kırdjali in 1798, the church was seriously damaged by their destruction.
In 1836, new residential buildings were erected in the monastery, and a bell tower was built above the gate.

There are rumors that claim when you leave the monastery, you feel purified, with the prayers echoing in your heart, and healed. When a person prays with all their heart and hope, I believe everything is possible.
Best wishes, kisses, and see you soon from me.