Bulgaria Inside

Do you know where the favorite terrace of Bulgarian writer Ivan Vazov is located? It is part of a sanctuary set up right next to Iskur River. The sanctuary is called Cherepish Monastery Ouspenie Bogorodichno.

The monastery is located in the Iskur gorge, 95 km away from Sofia and 11 km away from Mezdra.

Cherepish Monastery was founded during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom under the reign of tsar Ivan Shishman. During the Ottoman reign, the monastery was destroyed and rebuilt several times.

Bulgaria’s revival period saw the monastery’s transformation into cultural and spiritual center. While Bulgaria’s socialism reign lasted, Cherepish Monastery housed the Sofia seminary.

Magnificent rocks featuring carved in caves surround the monastery.

The entire complex seems to be untouched by time. The church has preserved its 1612 looks. Make sure to explore the wall paintings and the fine iconostasis wood carvings.

Cherepish Monastery was used as the site where Vazov’s short story Edna Bulgarka (one Bulgarian woman) takes place.

The monastery has been named monument of culture of national importance.

Cherepish Monastery offers accommodation and its kitchen prepares tasty traditional dishes. Prices are modest and the monastery has the capacity to offer accommodation to 35 people at the same time.