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A walk to the wonderful German Monastery and through its surroundings (phototrip)

Anita Valentinova, 24.07.2009

It does not really matter whether you are in Sofia for business purposes or just you have decided to set off for an exciting weekend tour to Bulgaria’s capital city. What is sure though is that you will not be disappointed if you visit one of the monasteries in Sofia region. We are glad to present you one of the representatives of the group of monasteries in Sofia region. , also known as “Sofia’s Little Sveta Gora” (The Small Mount Athos). This beautiful pilgrimage German monastery is located only 30 minutes by car from Sofia city.

The German monastery lies in the Lozen mountain, in immediate proximity to the villa area of the village German (Sofia region). The lush vegetation and majesty of the wonderful Vitosha Mountain add special charm to this small, but interesting and humbly decorated holy cloister. The small monastery boasts one of the most glorious locations near Sofia as the lush vegetation in the locale of the monastery makes one feel relaxed and reinvigorated. Only 1-2 hours walk in the vicinity of the monastery gives a fresh new lease of life due to the crystal clear air and complete serenity. The monastery reveals a spectacular view to the Sofia

. The 30-minute walk through the green paths near the monastery is a romance itself. The monastery is noted for a simply decorated facade and unique church interior. The garden in front of the main monastery’s church is breathtaking! You will be amazed at the diversity of colours! The picture in the gallery does them no justice at all. While being in Sofia , consider visiting a monastery that everyone wishes to go once in a life. Enjoy the superb location of the holy cloister and experience true religious ambience.

Brief info:

Anita Valentinova, 24.07.2009

The German monastery was established in the 10th century and according to the legend, the venerable St.Ivan Rilski has lived there for a while just before he has found his solitude in the Rila Mountain. During the reign of the kind Petur, the monastery has been turned into an important spiritual centre and, respectively, a part of the “Sofia’s Little Sveta Gora” (Sofia’s region is abundant in cloisters). Soon afterwards, during the time of Byzantine domination when the monastery has flourished, it has been sent presents by the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Komnin. The holy cloister was completely destroyed during the time of the invasion of Ottoman conquerors in 1382 when Sofia city fell under their power. The shrine was restored one century later and it has rapidly turned into a cultural centre. The evidence for the importance of the monastery is the preserved German collection of the saint Nikola which is kept safely in the National Library in Sofia. In the 18th century, however, the German monastery was plundered again by the so-called Kardzhalii detachments. The monks who managed to flee and local residents started the reconstruction of the sanctuary and a simple, in terms of architecture, one-nave church, half-hidden beneath the surface was built. After the Liberation, the then father superior of the the German monastery , Nikifor and his brother Cyril decided to rebuild the sanctuary. In 1886 the old church was torn down and a new one was erected over the same place. A new iconostasis, representing icons of St Ivan of Rila, St God’s Mother with Christ, Jesus Christ, St John the Precursor and St Nikolay Miriklijski, was also created. The icons were painted by the talented brothers from the town of Samokov-Ivan and Nikola Dospevski.

Please, click on the photo in order to enlarge it and take a tour through the gallery

Read more for the German monastery, Sofia region

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