Kilifarevo monastery

Kilifarevo monastery Virgin Birth is located on the right bank of the river Belitsa, 4 km southeast of Kilifarevo, 14 km south from Veliko Tarnovo and about 235 km northeast of Sofia.

The monastery was founded during 1348 and 1350 by the famous Bulgarian priest Theodosius Tarnovski at the time of Tsar Ivan Alexander. He became one of the most important literary centers in Bulgaria and spiritual center of Orthodoxy. Here were written and translated various liturgical books, lives, sermons and secular books. Monastery became the center of the literary school, which in the year 1360 has over 460 students - among them was the future Patriarch Evtimii of Turnovo.

In 1393 when the country fell under Turkish rule, the monastery was destroyed. Only in 1718 it was rebuilt. At that time, was built and decorated the church Virgin Birth. It has two chapels dedicated to Ivan Rilski and Theodosius Tarnovski. At the end of XVIII century the monastery was again destroyed but was rebuilt soon after.

In 1840 Kolyu Ficheto began construction of the church St. Demetrius. It keeps the old altar wall of the church Virgin Birth and two chapels. Thus, together the three areas that today are the church of the monastery. The temple was completed in 1842 with a gilded iconostasis, a work of art made impressive icons, painted by Tryavna masters. The monastery was a refuge to the Apostle of freedom Vasil Levski.

Today the monastery is operating convent. The temple's feast is celebrated on September 8. It has a nave and dome church St. Dimitar, two buildings constructed in 1849 and farm buildings. The convent offers tourist accommodation. Nearby there is also a hotel complex with pool and tennis courts.

The monastery has a regular bus from Veliko Tarnovo. It is accessible year-round and there are signs along the way.

Sources: http://www.bulgarianmonastery.com, http://www.bulgariamonasteries.com, http://www.pravoslavieto.com 
Photos: internet