HISTORY, CULTURE, TRADITIONS

Foundation - The Bulgarian state was formed in 681 AD by Asparuh khan according to Byzantine sources.
Literature - In the middle of the ninth century the brothers St.Cyril and St.Methodius invented the Slavonic alphabet (the Cyrillic alphabet named after Cyril). Christianity - Bulgaria accepted Eastern Orthodox Christianity in 864 - 866.
Throughout its 13-century old history Bulgaria has played a key role in the region. Its location makes the country a natural bridge between the East and the West, the North and the South. Here has passed the road from London to Calcutta, since from Antiquity to the present days. Bulgaria's location makes it a peculiar diffusion zone of mutual cultural interpenetration, its nature - a convenient living place for different communities.

Cultural and economic revival of the country under the rule of Tzar Simeon (863 - 927). Bulgaria fell under Byzantium yoke in 1018 till 1186 when the brothers Peter and Assen led a rebellion and fought for the country's liberation. In 1205 Tzar Kaloyan defeated emperor Boduen's crusaders. Second flowering of the country under the rule of Tzar Ivan-Assen II (1218 -1241). In 1396 Bulgaria fell under Ottoman yoke. The country was liberated on 3rd March 1878. It became an independent kingdom in 1908. Republic since 1947.

Precious part of the world heritage

The monasteries were to hammer out the foundations of the future culture and spiritual community. The new Slavonic - Bulgarian literature alone could become its strongest alloy. Round about 886, Prince Boris I accommodated the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, the creators of the Slavonic-Bulgarian letters, at St. Panteleimon's Monastery built upon his orders near Preslav. Thus the first Old-Bulgarian School of literature, known as the

Pliska-Preslav School was established. Its first objectives included preparations for the introduction of the Slavonic-Bulgarian scrypt, copying of the major ecclesiastical books translated by Cyril and Methodius, and the creation of the most needed original theological works in the "new language".

One of the disciples of Cyril and Methodius, Naoum, established here the new Old-Bulgarian

Alphabet - the so called Cyrillic alphabet (the bases of present-day Bulgarian letters).

See the most famous monasteries

The 120 monasteries preserved to this day are a living chronicle of Bulgaria's culture, creative spirit and national consciousness. They have always been and will be a part of peoples’ thinking and mentality.

The TROYAN Monastery "St. Holy Virgin"

National tourist object.

Founded in 1600. The present
monastery church was built in 1835.

Mural paintings made by the famous
Zahari Zograph and Dimiter Zograph.

Remarkable wood-cravings in the
church and the chapel "St. Nikola".

Museum collection that keeps early
printed books, scripts and icons.

The BACHKOVO Monastery "Uspenie Bogorodichno"

National tourist object.

Founded in 1083 by the
georgian Grigorii Bakuriani.

Mural paintings made by Zahari Zograph.

Remarkable church mural paintings, the
icon "Holy Virgin", brought from Georgia
in 1311, the charnel house - the only
preserved building from XIth century.

The RILA Monastery

World Cultural Heritage
(UNESCO object)

National tourist object.

Founded in 10th century
by Ivan Rilski, the biggest
Bulgarian revival, spiritual
and cultural centre

16 000 volume library
including 134 manuscripts
from 15th to 19th century

Exclusive mural paintings, woodcarving and icons, gold weave materials and embroidery

A multitude of gold and silver church plates, collections of coins, weapons and jewelry.

Unique carved cross of Monk Raphael
worked over a period of about 12 years.

The ROZHEN Monastery

Founded in 1220 by
the despot Alexi Slav

Today's building was raised in
1600 and renovated in 1732.

Preserved mural paintings
from 1597, 1611 and 1715.

Remarkable woodcarvings