Transfiguration Monastery
The Preobrazhenski Monastery, or the Transfiguration Monastery in Bulgaria, lies in a lovely place, about 7 km away from the town of Veliko Turnovo and is the biggest of the monasteries around the town and the fourth largest in the country. It is situated at the foot of vertical cliffs on the left bank of the Yantra River and a bit off the road from Veliko Turnovo to Rousse. Along the way there are signs that indicate the location of the Transfiguration Monastery. The monastery offers a magnificent view to the defile of this historically important Bulgarian river. In the foot of the opposite hill another Bulgarian monastery, namely the Patriarch’s “Holy Trinity”, shows its beauty.
The Transfiguration Monastery dates back to the 14th century. However, none of the original buildings are kept to the present day and the today’s complex was built in the 19th century. The St Transfiguration Church also was built at that time. It has a unique design, which is almost uncomparable to any other religious building in Bulgaria. Its creation was initiated by Master Dimitar of Sofia (later hanged by the Ottomans for his taking part in a plot against the Ottoman Empire). Its construction was finished by a famous architect of that time, Kolyo Fitcheto. Another famous Bulgarian, the distinguished Samokov icon painter Zahari Zograf, brought about the beauty of the Monastery by drawing the magnificent wall paintings.
The Transfiguration Monastery dates back to the 14th century. However, none of the original buildings are kept to the present day and the today’s complex was built in the 19th century. The St Transfiguration Church also was built at that time. It has a unique design, which is almost uncomparable to any other religious building in Bulgaria. Its creation was initiated by Master Dimitar of Sofia (later hanged by the Ottomans for his taking part in a plot against the Ottoman Empire). Its construction was finished by a famous architect of that time, Kolyo Fitcheto. Another famous Bulgarian, the distinguished Samokov icon painter Zahari Zograf, brought about the beauty of the Monastery by drawing the magnificent wall paintings.
Some of his Renaissance masterpieces are housed till today in the Transfiguration Monastery: his work on the altar, as well as the beautiful fresco on the outer wall, named “The Cycle of Life”, is one of the most imposing attractions. The Monastery possesses valuable icons, painted by the Tryavna icon painter Papa Vitan the Younger, and Stanislav Dospevski, the Samokov icon painter, who had studied abroad at academies and was Zachari Zograph's nephew.
Despite the fact that the Transfiguration is among the biggest monasteries in Bulgaria, it does not offer accommodation or food. Nevertheless, tourists can drive some kilometers back to Veliko Tunovo, which offers a variety of restaurants and hotels. The monastery itself is open for visitors every day from 7am to 7pm.
Despite the fact that the Transfiguration is among the biggest monasteries in Bulgaria, it does not offer accommodation or food. Nevertheless, tourists can drive some kilometers back to Veliko Tunovo, which offers a variety of restaurants and hotels. The monastery itself is open for visitors every day from 7am to 7pm.
