Rozhen Monastery
Up in the lower part of the Pirin Mountain and some 5km away from the smallest Bulgarian town, Melnik, lies the Rozhen Monastery. In fact, it is the biggest cloister in the Pirin region and one of the few Bulgarian monasteries whose origin dates back to the Middle Ages and which have remained relatively preserved till today.
The Rozhen Monastery is known to have been built somewhere in 890 AD which makes it older than the Bulgaria’s biggest monastery, the Rila Monastery, opened in 917 AD. The name of the monastery comes from the Bulgarian word for birth, “rozhdestvo”. Thus, the church of the monastery bears the name St Birth of Virgin Mary and the monastery as well as the nearby village are called “Rozhen”. The size and importance of the monastery grew with the rule of Despot Aleksii Slav, governor of the region at the time of Tzar Kaloyan (1197-1207) and Kaloyan’s nephew. Thus, during the Second Bulgarian State the monastery’s complex was enriched with a number of buildings, some of which preserved till today.
The Rozhen Monastery is known to have been built somewhere in 890 AD which makes it older than the Bulgaria’s biggest monastery, the Rila Monastery, opened in 917 AD. The name of the monastery comes from the Bulgarian word for birth, “rozhdestvo”. Thus, the church of the monastery bears the name St Birth of Virgin Mary and the monastery as well as the nearby village are called “Rozhen”. The size and importance of the monastery grew with the rule of Despot Aleksii Slav, governor of the region at the time of Tzar Kaloyan (1197-1207) and Kaloyan’s nephew. Thus, during the Second Bulgarian State the monastery’s complex was enriched with a number of buildings, some of which preserved till today.
Just like the other Bulgarian monasteries, the Rozhen Monastery suffered a lot during the Ottoman Rule and in early 17th century it was burnt and destroyed. It was rebuilt a century later with the help of donations of wealthy Bulgarians from all over the country. The church of the monastery was entirely reconstructed in 1732 and the zenith of the monastery’s glory came in the 19th century when it served as a regional spiritual centre and had numerous estate holdings in the area.
The end of the monastery’s fame was put by the local revolutionary, Yane Sandanski. Nowadays, the monastery is well maintained and open to visitors all year round. The holiday of the Rozhen Monastery is on September 8, when people from all over the country gather to participate in the celebrations.
Unlike most of the other Bulgarian monasteries, this one does not offer food or accommodation. However, down the road to the monastery there are restaurants and mehanas offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine. In addition, within small driving distance stands the small town of Melnik, the town of wine, one of the most popular tourist destinations with a rich choice of accommodation and catering, as well as a great variety of wine types.
The end of the monastery’s fame was put by the local revolutionary, Yane Sandanski. Nowadays, the monastery is well maintained and open to visitors all year round. The holiday of the Rozhen Monastery is on September 8, when people from all over the country gather to participate in the celebrations.
Unlike most of the other Bulgarian monasteries, this one does not offer food or accommodation. However, down the road to the monastery there are restaurants and mehanas offering traditional Bulgarian cuisine. In addition, within small driving distance stands the small town of Melnik, the town of wine, one of the most popular tourist destinations with a rich choice of accommodation and catering, as well as a great variety of wine types.
