Bulgaria Inside

Glozhene monastery is situated in the northern part of Stara Planina Mountain, close to the villages of Glozhene and Maluk Izvor. Its name is derived from the village of Glozhene and from a legend about the monastery.

According to the legend, Glozhene was founded in 1239 by the Kiev prince named Glozh. He received Bulgarian permission to settle there, since the prince helped the Bulgarian tsar Ivan Assen II during the battle of Klokotnitsa.

The prince carried a miracle-making icon and soon after he settled in Bulgaria, he constructed a monastery in the foot of Stara Planina Mountain. The icon disappeared on several occasions and was found each time in the high rocks above the monastery. Monks saw this as a sign to relocate and construct the whole complex again high in the rocks.

In the end of the 14th century, a new building appeared in the rocks and the icon was placed there. The new and the old buildings were connected via a tunnel. A strong earthquake destroyed the new church in 1913. It was rebuilt in 1931.

The monastery consists of a church and the monks’ living premises. These buildings surrounding the church form an inner yard. Because of this structure, the monastery looks like a medieval castle. In 1856, living premises were reconstructed after a conflagration destroyed them all.

During the revival period, the Glozhen monastery dealt with enlightenment and prepared teachers and priests. The Bulgarian revolutionary Vassil Levski often visited the monastery and soon founded a revolutionary committee in the village of Glozhene.

Today the monastery is accessible by car. Its former kitchen was turned into a restaurant. The menu features a wide range of dishes. Glozhene monastery offers accommodation as well.