Dryanovo Monastery

The magnificent Drianovo Monastery of St Archangel Michael is located about 4km away from the small town of Dryanovo in the stunning gorge of limestone rocks of the Dryanovo River. The monastery can be easily reached by car following the main road from the town of Veliko Turnovo to the town of Gabrovo. The offroad to the monastery starts about 2km after one of the exits of the town of Dryanovo.

The Dryanovo Monastery dates back to the l2th century and lies nearby the summer residence of the Bulgarian rulers from the Assen dynasty. Its founders were the two boyars, the brothers Assen and Petar, who rebelled against the Byzantine domination in Bulgaria and who brought about the liberation of the Bulgarian people and the establishment of the Second Buglarian State. It is believed that the first monastery in this place was founded about 2 km to the north of the current buildings, in an area called The Little St Archangel. Throughout its existence, the Dryanovo Monastery has endured many destructions, many of which during the Ottoman domination; meanwhile, it has sheltered many monks. For instance, at the beginning of the 15th century, the monastery was destroyed by the invading Ottoman troops who later conquered the Second Bulgarian State and initiated the 5-century-long Ottoman domination in Bulgaria. Its current site, the nearby area known as the Big St Archangel, the monastery has acquired in 1845 and the main church of the complex was built in 1861. Almost completely ruined after the Ottoman Turks' invasion, the monastery buildings were not restored till1880. Next to the main church stands a monument raised in memory of the victims in the destruction. In addition, in the monastery complex one can find a museum exhibition which consists of items from various historical epochs including neolithic treasures from a nearby cave. The Dryanovo monastery offers accommodation in cosy double and triple rooms. A few restraurants with good cousines are scattered in the immediate neighbourhood of the monastery.