Dryanovo monastery

Dryanovo Monastery of St. Achangel Michael, also known as Varovitetz, is located 4 km south-west of the town of Dryanovo, in the Dryanovo river defile. It was founded in the l2th century and is in close proximity to the summer residence of the Bulgarian rulers from the Assen dynasty. In its present-day site the monastery exists since 1845. The main church of St. Archangel Michael was built in 1861. The monastery was a fortress and a shelter to many leaders and revolutionaries of the Bulgarian National Revival. On a number of occasions, it was visited by father Matthew Preobrazhenski, and in 1871 – by Vasil Levski. During the April Uprising in 1876, the group of priest Hariton led a 9-day battle with the numerous Turkish army. Next to the church is the ossuary raised in memory of the perished insurgents. The monastery’s library has preserved many priceless manuscripts and religious books, which are currently stored in the national library St.St.Cyril&Methodius, as well as in the library of the National Church Historical and Archeological Museum. Almost ruined after the Ottoman Turks' invasion, the monastery buildings were restored in 1880. In the monastery there is a museum collection with exhibits from all historical epochs including neolithic finds from the nearby cave Bacho Kiro. The monastery, such as it is nowadays, is one of the holiest places of Bulgarian Orthodox Church, a national historical monument, as well as a place of great tourist interest.