At the foot of the Balkan Mountains, near the town of Varshets, lies the fourth-largest active women’s monastery in Bulgaria—St. Cyril and Methodius Monastery. It is one of the most beautiful and significant spiritual centers in the country, enveloped by dense forests and green meadows. The crisp mountain air and the silence, broken only by birdsong, create a sense of peace, tranquility, and unity with nature. The atmosphere is ideal for solitude and prayer to the Creator.
Near the monastery flows the Vreshtitsa River, which enhances the picturesque landscape and offers opportunities for romantic walks along the water. The place is especially stunning in spring and summer when life blooms and ripens anew.
The monastery attracts many visitors seeking refuge from worldly noise and daily stress in this spiritual oasis, a stronghold of faith and Bulgarian spirit. It is a complex consisting of two churches, three large residential buildings, and an adjoining park known as “Ayazmoto.” It also maintains a large agricultural farm, where fruits and vegetables are cultivated for the monastery’s production of homemade preserves, which visitors can purchase. The monastery’s residential buildings are constructed from natural materials such as wood and stone, harmonizing with the surrounding environment. The architecture, in the style of the Bulgarian National Revival, captivates with its distinctive craftsmanship.
The main church of the monastery, built in 1892 and dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius, is a three-nave basilica with two bell towers. Its interior is adorned with an exquisite iconostasis, crafted by renowned masters of the Debar Woodcarving School. The icons on the iconostasis were painted by Samokov iconographer Nikola Ivanov–Obrazopisets.
The wall paintings (1937), depicting scenes from the lives of the saints and key biblical events, were created by Professors Georgi Zhelyazkov and Georgi Bogdanov from Bulgaria’s Academy of Arts. The church also houses other remarkable works of religious art. The nuns’ diligent hands have shaped an environment of order, beauty, and purity, welcoming visitors with the vibrant colours of a well-maintained inner courtyard.
This sanctuary of faith offers peace and enjoyment amidst nature, but it is also a devoted guardian of Bulgarian history and cultural heritage. Founded in 1240, it is one of the oldest active monasteries in Bulgaria. Over the centuries, it has witnessed numerous historical events and transformations, enduring both periods of prosperity and times of destruction followed by renewal.
In 2007, six nuns settled in the monastery, and Archimandrite Antim Manoilov restored the sacred spring (ayazmo), whose clear waters are believed to heal those who drink from it with faith. The monastery also houses a museum dedicated to the history of the Vidin Diocese, where visitors can see personal belongings of Exarch Antim I, the first Bulgarian Exarch and later the first chairman of the Constituent and First Grand National Assembly after Bulgaria’s liberation.
Today, Klisurski Monastery remains an active spiritual center of worship, hosting regular religious services and rituals. Each year, numerous baptisms, celebrations, and solemn liturgies are held, marking major Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas.
The combination of historical significance, architectural beauty, and natural surroundings makes Klisurski Monastery “St. Cyril and Methodius” a magnetic destination. Whether you seek spiritual enrichment or simply wish to enjoy the serenity of nature, here you will find unforgettable moments and inspiration for both life and faith.
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Редактор Едно
Биляна Котева
Maria
Български
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