Bulgaria Inside

Goliamoboukovski Monastery is situated three km away from the village of Goliamo Boukovo, in the heart of Strandzha Mountain. The village is located 58 km away from the coastal city of Bourgas.

The sanctuary is the only monastery functioning in the Strandzha region.

According to legends, the monastery was constructed over the remains of a Thracian sanctuary. Some historians believe that the Paroriyski Monastery existed there in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Goliamoboukovski Monastery was constructed by a village person, who had a dream of Virgin Mary. She showed him the exact place. The person had been ill for a long time but was cured when he discovered the place from his dream and washed himself in the spring flowing there.

The monastery experienced reconstruction in 1887. In 1903, it turned to be a major landowner. New premises and a mill were constructed but only ruins can be seen today.

In the coming years, the glory of the monastery came to an end. In the 1990s all premises, including the church were ruined. The monastery started functioning once again under the guidance of a monk named Evtimi. The church was reconstructed and monks once again settled there.

Today, the complex includes the church and living premises. A two-storey building that will be used for guest accommodation is currently being constructed.

To reach the monastery, you need to follow the unpaved road from Goliamo Boukovo village.