Kremikovtsi Monastery

A monastery on Sofia's edge, with medieval frescoes

Kremikovtsi Monastery, dedicated to St George, lies on the north-eastern edge of Sofia on the slopes of the Stara Planina, beside the district of the same name. It is one of the monasteries that make up the so-called "Holy Mountain of Sofia," the ring of foundations around the capital. The monastery was renewed in the second half of the 15th century, after the Ottoman conquest, which makes it a precious witness to the continuity of Bulgarian Christian life in that difficult period.

What to see

The monastery's treasure is its old church, whose 15th-century frescoes (1493) have survived remarkably well and rank among the most valuable in the Sofia area. Among the scenes is the portrait of the donor, a rare testimony to the art and society of the age. A newer church stands alongside; the complex has a quiet courtyard, pleasant in its setting of wooded hills just outside the city.

Practical

It is easily reached by car from Sofia as a short trip from the capital; to see the old frescoes you may need to ask about opening times on site. As an active convent, modest dress and quiet during services are expected. It is most pleasant from spring through autumn, and the visit can be combined with other monasteries around Sofia.