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The origin of the monastery complex Mala Sveta Gora of Sofiyska Sveta Gora was laid in the 13th century, when most of the monasteries in Sofia were built. The complex includes 14 monasteries, located along the Vitosha mountain and the surrounding mountains. The complex occurred spontaneously and was formed over the centuries. In the beginning, the Bistrishki monastery was the main monastery. Nowadays, only the church “St. George ”remains in the village of Bistritsa. The most important monastery cloisters are located in the mountains, surrounding Sofia; some of them were preserved to the present day. These are the Dragalevski monastery “Holy Mary”, the Kokalyanski monastery “St. Archangel Michael ”, the Cherepishki monastery“ The Assumption of Mary ”, the Etropolski monastery“ St. Trinity ”, the Osenovlashki monastery“ The Seven Altars ”, etc. Nearby lie the monasteries in Pernik - the Kalkaski monastery “St. Petka ”in Radomir area - the Radiboshki monastery“ St. Trinity ”, the Zemenski Monastery“ St. Yoan Bogoslov ”, the Peshterski monastery“ St. Nikolas ”in the Breznik area - the Bilinski Monastery“ St. Archangel Michael ”, the Rebrevski monastery“ St. Nikolas ”and Giginski monastery“ St. Bezsrebrenitsi Kozma and Damyan ”, in Tran area - the Nedelnishki Monastery, the Glogovishki and Mislovshki monasteries, in Godech area - the Cheparlinski, Razboishki, Shumski, Malovski, Ponorski and Vasilovski monasteries.



Around the monasteries of Mala Sveta Gora, which were centers of the national spirit and culture over the centuries, settlements were gradually established, which are now part of Sofia city.





The Kokalyanski Monastery „St. Archangel Michael ”lies a few kilometers from Kokalyane, in the eastern part of Plana Mountain. It used to be linked by a road with the Bistrishki, Dragalevski and Boyanski monasteries. Nearby the fortress of Urvich was situated, this was one of the last Bulgarian fortresses, taken over during the invasion of the Ottoman Turks.



The monastery was founded during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185 - 1393 AD) and was destroyed during the Ottoman invasion. It was restored in the 14th century. It was often attacked and robbed between the 14th and 19th centuries. In 1898, the new church was built. Only a stone inscription remained of the old one. The complex includes a church, the chapels “The Assumption of Mary” and “St. John of Rila ”, as well as residential buildings and farm buildings, and a bell tower, built in 2000 AD. The monastery keeps the famous Kokalyan collection, dating back to the 16th century, as well as relics, related to the reign of the last medieval ruler King Ivan Shishman (ruled 1371 - 1395). The monastery has two memorial days –8 November - the day of St. Archangel Michael, and 15 August - the day of the Virgin Mary. The monastery was declared a cultural monument.



The Etropolski Monastery “Sveta Troitsa” is located about 6 kilometers east of the Etropole town. It is believed to be founded in the 12th century AD. The monastery is a complex of church, residential buildings and farm buildings. The church was built in 1859 AD. The complex includes two chapels - “St. John the Baptist ”and“ St. Kozma and Damyan ”. In the 16th - 17th century the monastery used to be the largest spiritual center in northern Bulgaria. The Varovitets karst spring, which forms a beautiful waterfall, is located near the monastery.



The monastery was declared a cultural monument. The memorial day of the monastery is Pentecost.



The Osenovlashki monastery “St. Mary ”is also known as“ The Seven Altars ”. It is located at the foot of the Balkan Mountain, 15 kilometers from Eliseyna station. The Latinsko Kale fortress was situated in the vicinity. According to the legend, the monastery was built in the 11th century, and later it was destroyed and rebuilt many times. The church, as we know it today, was built and restored in 1815 AD. Its name came from the seven altars (chapels), separated by walls in the dome, between the shoulders of the main cross. A unique cultural monument is the wooden chandelier “Horo”, consisting of 15 separate parts and presented by the villagers of Leskov Dol village.



Memorial day of the monastery is 8 September - The Birth of the Virgin Mary.





Cherepishki Monastery

Opening hours:

Throughout the year - 8.00 am - 8.00 pm

Guided tours are led by the priests in Bulgarian free of charge



Dragalevski monastery

Opening hours:

Throughout the year - 8.30 am - 12.00 am and 1.30 pm - 6.00 pm

Day off - Monday



Etropolski monastery

Opening hours:

March - October: 7.00 am - 8.00 pm

November - February: 8.00 am - 5.00 pm

Guided tours are led by the priest in Bulgarian, free of charge



Osenovlashki monastery

Opening hours:

Throughout the year 7.30 am - 6.00 pm

Guided tours are available, led by the monastery hostess in Bulgarian, free of charge.

A sign at the entrance presents the history of the monastery in Bulgarian and in English.

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