Vrachesh Monastery

Overview

Vrachesh Monastery "St. 40 Martyrs" ("Sveti 40 Machenitsi") is located in the western Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria, 5 km west of the village of Vrachesh and 10 km from the town of Botevgrad.

An asphalt road leads to the monastery from the town of Botevgrad, which passes through the village of Vrachesh. The Vrachesh Monastery was built during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, after the victory of Tsar Ivan Asen II over the Epirus despot Theodore Comnenus at Klokotnitsa on March 9, 1230. After the victory, which took place on the day of the celebration of St. Forty Martyrs, Tsar Ivan Asen II decided to build several churches and monasteries in honor of the saints, including the Vrachesh Monastery.

In the 17th century, a church school was housed in the Vrachesh Monastery. During the Ottoman invasion at the end of the 14th century, the monastery was partially burned. During the raids of the Kardzhali Turks in the 18th century, however, the monastery was completely demolished and did not exist until 1890. At present, the monastery is surrounded by a high brick fence, and strict order is observed inside. Most of the monastery buildings have been restored and are in excellent condition, and the church has also been reconstructed. The monastery is extremely beautiful, with a wonderful well-kept garden and an abundance of flowers and all kinds of vegetation throughout the complex.