St. 40 Martyrs monastery – village of Vratchesh

The village of Vratchesh is located some 4 km southwest of the town of Botevgrad. Near the village, among the gorgeous nature of the Stara Planina mountain, is located the women’s monastery St. 40 Martyrs, established in XIII century. It was burnt twice – in XV and XVIII century, but was restored in XIX century (1891). Legends have it that a shepherd fell asleep in the shadow of a 600-year-old pear-tree, and in his sleep he had a vision. He gathered a group of people from the village and together they found an old church, which they restored. According to the sisters from the monastery, it was established in honour of the victory of Ivan Asen II near Klokotnitza, which he won with the holy martyrs’ help. A part of the relics of one of the martyrs is kept in the monastery. Currently, it is active and is very well maintained. It has been declared a monument of culture.