Cherepish Monastery

Overview

The Cherepish Monastery "Assumption" is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery in the Vratsa Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It is located not far from Cherepish station in the unique Iskar gorge with its variety of natural landmarks. It was founded during the Second Bulgarian State, during the reign of Tsar Ivan Shishman (1371 - 1393), but was destroyed during the Ottoman invasion. The oldest evidence of the existence of the monastery is the monastery statute (typical) written in the period 1390 - 1398. The type is kept in the Historical and Archaeological Museum in Sofia. According to the document, the monastery and the church were destroyed after the battle with the Turkish enslavers, but the people immediately rebuilt them. Nothing is known about the history of the Assumption in the next two centuries. It was restored in 1660. The origin of the monastery is connected with the history of the medieval Koriten town, which existed in the nearby area of ​​Ritlite. During the centuries of rule, the temple was burned several times, but still survived and was rebuilt again and again. In the years of the National Revival the monastery became an educational center. For many years, the complex has hosted classes at a priest's school, a theological institute and the Sofia Theological Seminary. The Cherepish Monastery has been declared a cultural monument of national importance. The temple is a single-nave, vaulted building with a large vestibule, an open gallery and an island dome. Among the landmarks of its interior decoration is an iconostasis with exquisite wood carvings and a shroud, embroidered in 1844. The many picturesque buildings of the holy monastery make a strong impression. Among them stands out the church of St. George, which, despite numerous reconstructions, has retained its original appearance, including some of its frescoes. In the complex of the monastery are restored today Vladishka, School, Reception, Danailova and warehouse buildings, as well as Rushid's house. To get to the temple, go through quite steep stairs. Near the old church is the building where the monks sleep, and next to it the inscription - "the favorite terrace of the patriarch of Bulgarian literature Ivan Vazov." It was in this monastery that Vazov wrote "A Bulgarian Woman". Aleko Konstantinov writes about the monastery: And it's really nice; God, how beautiful this desolate Cherepish Monastery is! " The monastery and the beautiful surroundings have also inspired the famous Hungarian traveler Felix Kanitz. He rightly describes and calls this magic "The most beautiful place."