Samokov Convent "Pokrov"

The Samokov convent

The convent "Pokrov Bogorodichen" (the Protection of the Mother of God) lies in the town of Samokov, at the foot of the Rila Mountains, near the Malyovitsa skiing and hiking area. It is a Bulgarian National Revival nunnery, bound up with Samokov's traditions of faith and craft. Tradition places its founding in the second half of the 18th century; by the 19th century its community of nuns and elders had grown sizeable.

What to see

The convent's significance lies in its link to the celebrated Samokov Art School, one of Revival Bulgaria's most important schools of icon painters and woodcarvers, founded by Hristo Dimitrov. The iconostasis and icons are attributed to this circle of masters — among them Dimitar Zograf, while tradition also associates the name of Zahari Zograf with the convent. The woodcarving and icons preserve the refinement typical of this school. The place has a quiet, intimate atmosphere of a living community of prayer.

Practical

It is reached by car from Samokov, a town about 60 km from Sofia on the road to the Rila resorts. This is an active convent — mind the dress code and respect monastic life and services. It pairs naturally with a trip into the Rila massif (Malyovitsa, Iskar lake). Visitors give it very good ratings (around 4.7/5).