Rozhen monastery, Bulgaria

Rozhen monastery is the biggest of its kind in the Pirin region and one of the several medieval Bulgarian monasteries that have been preserved relatively intact even nowadays. It was built in the remote 890.

The monastery is an irregular hexagon, and the residential buidings surround a beautiful patio, in the middle of which lies the Holy Virgin church. Apart from the we-ll preserved murals, the monastery is famous for its stained glasses and unique fretwork. Rozhen monastery has its own miraculous icon-protector, which is kept in an ark in the Ss. Kozma and Damian chapel.
Nowadays the Rozhen monastery is well-maintained and open for visitors all year round. The monastery holiday is on September 8th, when people from the whole region gather to participate in the festivities.