DRAGALEVTSI MONASTERY (ДРАГАЛЕВСКИ МАНАСТИР)

3 km south of the main square Tsar Ivan Alexander. The Dragalevtsi Monastery is a little outside the village. Founded in 1341 during the time of Tsar Ivan Alexander, it is known for having hosted the revolutionary Vasil Levksi between 1870 and 1872. During the ^15th and ^16th centuries, it was an important cultural center with a monastic school. Some frescoes date from 1467. Particularly well preserved, one discovers at the entrance priceless original frescoes, as well as those visible on the western wall representing scenes of the Old Testament and a scene of the life of the monks. Of particular note is the scene of a monk being sent into the outside world to fight his temptations. The vault and the rest of the walls show a large fresco of the Last Judgment. Numerous episodes are depicted, creating a rich artistic composition throughout the space. The western facade of the ancient church depicts the Holy Mother and three of the most popular warrior saints - St. George, St. Dimitri and St. Mercury. Like other monasteries in the country, the Dragalevtzi monastery is committed to the preservation of the Bulgarian identity and spirit. During the Ottoman domination, in addition to its school, a regular epistolary activity developed there, the most famous example of which is the Gospel of Dragalevtzi, copied by an anonymous monk in 1534. The work in its silver cover is today preserved in the headquarters of the Bulgarian Church in Sofia.