Klisurski Monastery

One of the largest monasteries in the north-west

Klisurski Monastery lies in north-western Bulgaria, in the Western Balkan Mountains near Berkovitsa, in a forested valley threaded by a mountain river. It is one of the largest monasteries in this part of the country. Founded in the Middle Ages, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times through the region's turbulent history, the present ensemble dating mainly from the 19th century, the era of the Bulgarian National Revival.

What to see

The complex, spacious and well kept, comprises the main church, monastic buildings with galleries and a broad courtyard pleasant for quiet reflection. The church preserves a carved iconostasis and 19th-century icons. The calm atmosphere and the natural setting — the forests and waters of the Western Balkans — make this a restful stop. The monastery operates as a convent.

Practical

It is reached by car from Berkovitsa or Barzia along local roads; the monastery sometimes offers lodging for pilgrims and visitors. As an active foundation, modest dress and quiet during services are expected. It is most pleasant from spring through autumn, when the surrounding mountains also invite walks.