When I arrive in Godech, my first goal has monastery St. Nikolay. Now that is new church in outskirts of town. But still in yard may seen a ruins from ancient Roman temple from II-IV century. Monastery is less kilometer north from town center in corn field. There for regret not sing or direction boards,
In Godech you also may see the church and old Roman fountain.
Unlike St. Nikolay, Holly Spirit is a functional monastery with big yard, residential buildings, church and farming. Monastery don’t have a some long history or old artifacts, but in yard have a old cross where see year 1922, but maybe is more ancient. Monastery is around 3 km. west from Godech town.
Village Murgash welcome as with… cannon… In beginning of village is “town-hall” and a unpretending monument of fallen in wars solders but with cannon near them. Village is very simple, with lot old houses and charm…
Church Archangel Michael is build 1880, real monument of history and folk religion… So sad that now is use only for funerals on old people who solely live in the village… To here from Godech and previous churches – 10-11 km.
Tuden village consists of several hamlets along Nishava river. In maybe central of them is church. The church have a two parts – new and old. And most interesting is a inscription in old part, showing that church is build in 1400, and renovated in 1843. Other attractions are two amazing carved ceiling that are extremely rare.
Bukorovski Monastery St. George is the second monastery in the world and the only one in Bulgaria with five churches. Operative is only old church St. George, and new four are build on the foundations on old churches…
On this place is found carved in stone calendar represented 12-year-old protobulgarian cyclical calendar that fixed the abstract movement of the constellations on the shell of a turtle, now in National History Museum.
Also near to monastery is natural landmark Kotlite waterfall. Interesting is that waterfall is on river that locals called Dragula or Dracula…
Razboishte monastery The Blessed Virgin is a pearl in crown of monasteries and churches along Nishava river. He is only one in west Bulgaria rock monastery. Situated on the slope of a cliff at 20 m. above the river. To the church is a ladder upward into the rocks and the living houses are on the other side of the river to a small clearing. Monastery has build in XVI c., but niche where is church was used for prayers from XII c. In church still have a few preserved frescoes, but most are destroyed in beginning of 20 c., when church is painting in white.
Monastery is 23 km. from Gorech along other churches and monasteries. Here and I spend a night, send by monk beside of complex.
A kilometer from Razboishte monastery is Cheparlyane monastery St. Petka. It’s a new one, build in beginning of XX c. There is not interesting fresco or architecture, but is close to river and lot people use area arond monastery for picnic and camping.
The church St. Peter in Berende village is one of oldest preserved church in Bulgaria. Building and frescoes are from XIII or XIV century… To see something original old is unique. Church is declared a monument of culture, but every day is collapsing and the status getting worse. So soon will be gone.
Church is near to Nishava river, 1,2 km. west from village. You need to get key from owner and seller in the only shop / pub in the village.
The church St. Petka, located at the entrance of the village from the side of the village Kalotina. Located in the graveyard. To the church there is a rite cross St. Petka.
From here I take a bus to Sofia. For two days I make 44 km, along 11 churches and monasteries.
