Plakovo Monastery St. Elijah the Prophet

Plakovo Monastery, dedicated to the Holy Prophet Elijah, lies just a few kilometres west of Kapinovo, on the wooded slopes of the Stara Planina near Veliko Tarnovo. Its existence is attested as far back as the 16th century, though the exact date of its founding is lost. The monastery holds a special place in Bulgarian national history: it was here, in 1835, that the "Velchova Zavera" was plotted — the conspiracy led by Velcho Atanasov to win freedom from Ottoman rule. After its failure, the monastery was sacked, and many of the conspirators were killed, hanged or sent into exile.

What to see Plakovo was rebuilt in 1845, and the work bears the signature of the great master Kolyu Ficheto (Nikola Fichev), the most famous builder of the Bulgarian Revival. The church and, very probably, the residential quarters are attributed to him, and in 1856 he also raised the impressive belfry that is the monastery's distinctive landmark. The complex thus combines spiritual value with the 19th-century architectural mastery and the memory of the struggle for freedom.

Practical It is reached by car along local roads from the Veliko Tarnovo area, easily combined with a visit to nearby Kapinovo. It is an active monastery — dress modestly and keep the proper quiet, especially during services. It is at its most pleasant in spring and autumn, when the surrounding forest is mild and still. With a 4.6 rating and the legend of the Velchova Zavera, Plakovo is a fitting stop for those drawn to Bulgaria's authentic history and spirituality.