Monastery

Vrachesh monastery of the Forty Martyrs
The Vrachesh monastery is located near the village of Vrachish, in the Western Stara Planina. This is one of the largest monasteries in Bulgaria. The novices and nuns who live here observe the Athonite traditions and remember (and sing) ancient tunes.
It is believed that a male settlement was formed here in the XII century. The Turks destroyed the holy monastery twice: first in the 15th, then in the 18th centuries. During the last raid, the Turks also destroyed the famous bookshop founded by Peyo.
The restoration of the monastery was carried out in 1890 with donations from local residents. The monastery was rebuilt on the spot where the Shepherd Atanas dreamed of the Mother of God: having excavated the ground, he discovered several objects, including the miraculous icon of the Vrachesh Mother of God, as well as the remains of an ancient chandelier and censer.