Kuklen monastery St. Kosma and Damyan

The Kuklen monastery, also known under the name of “St. Vrachove” is situated in the northern part of the Rhodopi mountain, some 3 km away from the village of Kuklen and 15 km away from the city of Plovdiv. It became popular as early as the ruling of king Ivan Alexander, due to its prominent literary school, advanced cultural development and healing water spring. People say that the brothers Kosma and Damyan, after whom the monastery was named, were famous healers and were able to cure all kinds ofdiseases, including insanity, with the help of the magic power of the spring’s water. In 1657, during the time of the conversion of the Rhodopi people to Mohammedanism, the monastery was destroyed. It was restored in the XVIII century, with the support of patriotic Bulgarians from the region of Plovdiv. Among its most valuable assets is the old mural painting in the church. Currently, the monastery is operating and has been proclaimed a national monument of culture.