Cherepish Monastery

The Cherepish monastery, named “The Assumption of Virgin Mary”, is to be found 29km to the southeast of the town of Vratza, in the Iskar defile of the Balkan mountain – the latter widely known for its unique richness of natural forms and sights. It is dated back to the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom – it was built during the ruling of king Ivan Shishman (1371-1393). For centuries it was the home of prominent writers, translators and calligraphers, who have left such precious works as the Cherepish Gospel (XVI century); the Gospel of Monk Danail, the Book of the Apostles of Jacob (XVII century). In 1797, the monastery gave shelter to St. Sofronii Vrachanski.
The Cherepish monastery has been declared a cultural monument of national importance.