Chiprovtsi Monastery

Chiprovtsi Monastery, dedicated to Saint John of Rila, lies in north-western Bulgaria near the town of Chiprovtsi in the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina) — a region with a rich history, once renowned for gold and silver mining and for the famous Chiprovtsi carpets. The monastery is closely tied to the memory of the Chiprovtsi Uprising of 1688, one of the first major Bulgarian revolts against Ottoman rule; in the reprisals that followed, the region and its religious houses suffered greatly, and the monastery was later rebuilt. The exact founding dates need verification.

What to see The complex, rebuilt over time, keeps the atmosphere of a mountain monastery, with a church, monks' cells and a quiet courtyard. The interior holds icons and painting in the Bulgarian Orthodox tradition. Above all the place carries a strong historical and memorial weight, bound to the freedom struggles of the Bulgarian north-west.

Practical It is reached by car, on the road climbing towards Chiprovtsi and further into the mountains; the region is calm and little crowded by tourists. It is an active place of worship: dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), keep quiet and respect the services. In town it is worth visiting the museum devoted to the carpets and local history, while the surroundings offer hiking in the western Balkans. The best seasons are summer and early autumn.