Strupetski Monastery St. Elijah

Strupetski Monastery "St. Elijah" is a small monastic house in north-western Bulgaria, near the village of Strupets in the Vratsa region, on the edge of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina). It is dedicated to the Holy Prophet Elijah, one of the most beloved figures in the Orthodox calendar. It is a modest, quiet monastery, well off the crowded tourist circuits. We have no confirmed data on its founding year, so we leave that open and recommend checking on site.

What to see and practical The charm of the place lies in its simplicity and calm: a modest church and a secluded courtyard, set in a rural landscape of hills and woods. It is reached by car from the Vratsa area / Iskar valley, on local roads. It is an active place of worship: dress respectfully (shoulders and knees covered) and keep quiet, especially during services. The feast of St. Elijah (20 July) is the liveliest moment of the year. Nearby lie the Iskar Gorge and sights of the Vratsa region, making the monastery a fitting stop on a wider tour of north-western Bulgaria.