Iskretski monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno"

Iskretski monastery is situated in West Bulgaria in proximity to the village of Iskrets. It is 9 km west of town of Svoge and 52 km north of the capital Sofia. 

History

Iskretski monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno" was found in XIII c. but one century later it was demolished by the Turks. The monastery stayed isolated from the secular life during the Ottoman rule. And in the beginning of XVII about 1602 its church was renovated, in 1834 it became again working monastery.

It is declared monument of culture.

architecture

The monastery temple is one nave and one apse church with no domes and strengthened with buttresses and outbuildings narthex in 1846.

The church in Iskretski monastery is devoid of any outside decorations, but it has interesting frescoes from XVII and XIX century. The older paintings are in the nave, and here are the three depicted the images of Christ - Emmanuel, Vsedarzhatel and Vethiydenmi. The altar apse includes images of Mary Shirshaya heaven and Pentecost. The second layer of murals located in the narthex are scenes from "Apocalypse" and "Revelation of John the Evangelist." In the narthex of the church Iskretska there are other stories as "The Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee," "tormented soul" and others.
South of the church is heptagonal domed christening-tribunal (built during 1856) with painted walls, which is the only of its kind in Bulgarian monasteries.
In Iskretski monastery has been preserved and a two-storied building with massive stone plinth and a small porch, built during XIX century.

Transport

The village is connected with regular route taxis from Iskrets to the municipality Svoge. By car it is also easy to reach. The monastery itself is located at the eastern edge of the village up to the sanatorium.

Accommodation

Inside the monastery there is not offered accommodation, but tourists can choose either of comfortable guest houses working in the municipality.

Sources: http://svetimesta.com , http://www.bulgariamonasteries.com
Photos: Internet