Churches

Shipka Memorial Church

Temple-monument "Christmas", known in Bulgaria as Shipka Monastery was built between 1886 and 1902 in memory of the fallen Russian, Moldavian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Finnish officers and soldiers and Bulgarian volunteers in defense of the Shipka Pass in  The Russian- Turkish War of 1877-1878 .

The temple is a basilica. It was built in the style of the Russian church tradition. Outside its domes are gilded. It’s one of the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia

The cathedral is an Orthodox Church in Sofia. It serves as the Cathedral Church of the Bulgarian Patriarch, and is one of the historical places in Bulgaria with a long history.

Its main stone was laid during the reign of Prince Alexander Battenberg on February 19, 1882. The construction began in 1904. Built on a total area of 3170 square meters and its total CC was 86 000 cubic meters. Its height is 50.52 meters, while the central dome - 46 feet.

In the inner part of the cathedral with its impressive dimensions, the architectural harmony of lines, space and rich artistic decoration.

The church “St. Cyril and Methodius”

The church “St. Cyril and Methodius” is the oldest Christian church in Burgas. It was built in 1907. Rises in the center of town and is one of its characters.

 The cathedral is built on an area of 516 sq.m, as its length is 32 meters, width - 21 meters.

”St Cyril and Methodius” was built as a three-nave basilica. Its architecture is impressive with magnificent facade and opulent end of the dome roof. The whole building is Aitos mason green stone, brick and marble. The interior is richly ornamented as impressive are the five pairs of marble arches that seem to divide into two temples.

Church of Christ Pantocrator, Nessebar
 

This is an Orthodox church in Nessebar, Bulgaria. It’s part of world heritage by UNESCO. It’s one of the best preserved and most beautiful churches in Nessebar, which has over 42 churches in it’s old part.

Monasteries

“St. Ivan Rilski”  Monastery

The largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria is located about 120 kilometers south of Sofia. Situated at 1500 meters altitude amidst the beautiful scenery of the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula - Rila. With its architecture, wall paintings and ancient history of the monastery is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Bulgaria.

Troyan Monastery "Assumption"

Situated in beautiful countryside on the banks of the Cherni Osam River just 10 miles east of the town of Troyan. Occurs at the beginning of the 17th century. Shortly later an unknown monk from Mount Athons monastery left a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which to this day is among the most valuable icons of the monastery.

Ivanski Rock Monastery
 

Near the village of Ivanovo, about 12 kilometers south of Russe is one of the most interesting and valuable monuments of culture - Ivanovo Rock Monastery in the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage. The monastery is situated amidst the picturesque canyon of the River Lom and Rousse and represents a complex of churches, chapels and cells carved in the rocks about 32 feet above the river, .

Glozhen Monastery “St. George the Victorious”

Built on a high bluff, surrounded by precipices , Glozhen monastery   resembles a  medieval fortress from the  distance. It is located 2 kilometers from the village Glozhen. It is believed that it was founded in the 13th  century by the Kiev prince Glozh who arrived in these lands to seek the miraculous icon of St. George the Victorious for the healing of his sick daughter.

Dryanovo Monastery “St. Michael” 

The monastery is situated among the high limestone cliffs of the picturesque gorge of the Dryanovo river, 5 km southwest of the town of Dryanovo. It was founded in early the 17th century. Only a few kilometers from the monastery is the cave “Bacho Kiro”, where they found traces of the Paleolithic settlement in Europe.

Religion

The main religion in Bulgaria is Orthodox Christianity - one of the three most common denominations of Christianity.

In the middle of IX century Bulgaria was one of the largest and most powerful countries in Europe. Its neighbors were Christians. They didn't trust the Bulgarians because they were still pagans. Bulgarian fell into international isolation.

In 864, the Khan and his associates were baptized by Byzantine priests. The next year the whole country was baptized.

Nowadays the majority of the inhabitants of Bulgaria are Orthodox Christians, but there are also Catholics, Muslims and Jews.