Sokolski Monastery
Gabrovo
Sokolski Monastery, established in 1833 by Archimandrite Yosif Sokolski, is a Bulgarian Orthodox nunnery located 15 km southwest of Gabrovo on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains within Bulgarka Nature Park. The monastery was originally built as a small wooden church, which was replaced by a larger stone church funded by local villagers. Its architecture exemplifies Bulgarian National Revival style, featuring a single nave, dome, and open porch. The church interior was richly decorated with frescoes in 1862 by Father Paul Zograf and his son Nikola, notable artists from Shipka village. A remarkable feature of the monastery is the large stone fountain with eight taps, constructed in 1865 by master Kolyu Ficheto, a prominent Bulgarian architect. The monastery played a significant role in Bulgarian history, serving as a center for revolutionary activities during the April Uprising and as a hospital during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78. It also hosted volunteer groups led by Tsanko Dyustabanov and sheltered the revolutionary leader Vasil Levski. Today, the monastery complex includes the church, residential and utility buildings, and a small museum exhibiting relics from the liberation struggles. It remains an active religious site and a cultural monument, attracting visitors with its historical significance, artistic heritage, and scenic mountain setting.
ヒント: Visit during spring or early autumn for pleasant weather and vibrant natural surroundings. Tickets are generally available on-site, but checking opening hours in advance is recommended. The monastery is accessible by bus from Gabrovo or via marked hiking trails from the nearby Etara ethnographic village. Discounts may be available for groups or students. Guided tours can enrich the visit by providing deeper historical context.
興味深い事実
- •The monastery's icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ, painted by local artist Hristo Tsokev, is considered miraculous.
- •The stone fountain with eight taps in the monastery yard was built by master architect Kolyu Ficheto in 1865.
- •During the April Uprising, the monastery was a strategic center for revolutionary volunteers led by Tsanko Dyustabanov.
- •Vasil Levski, a key figure in Bulgarian liberation, found shelter at the monastery.
- •The monastery was converted into a hospital during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78.
歴史
Founded in 1833 by Archimandrite Yosif Sokolski, the monastery was initially a small wooden church replaced soon after by a larger stone structure supported by local communities.
In 1836, a school was established here, and the monastery became a cultural and educational center.
During the mid-19th century, it was a hub for revolutionary activity, including hosting the band of Captain Dyado Nikola and later the detachment of Tsanko Dyustabanov during the April Uprising of 1876.
The monastery served as a military hospital during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78).
It was declared a historical site in 1973 and has since been preserved and restored following damages from fires in the early 20th century.
場所ガイド
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary1833-1862
The main church is a fine example of Bulgarian Revival architecture with a single nave, dome, and open porch. Its interior walls and narthex were richly frescoed in 1862 by Father Paul Zograf and his son Nikola, featuring religious scenes and iconography. The iconostasis includes royal and festive icons created by artists of the Tryavna school, and the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary and Christ donated by Hristo Tsokev is prominently displayed.
Stone Fountain with Eight Taps1865
Located in the center of the monastery yard, this large stone fountain features eight taps shaped as falcons. It was constructed in 1865 by the renowned master builder Kolyu Ficheto and serves as a unique architectural and cultural landmark within the monastery complex.
Monastery Museum
The museum exhibits relics and artifacts related to the Bulgarian liberation struggles, including items connected to the April Uprising and the Russo-Turkish War. It provides historical context about the monastery's role in national resistance and showcases religious and cultural heritage.