Corridor: Eastern Trans-Balkan Road
Country: Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo
Type: Christian religious centre
Epoch: Modern Times
Theme: Christian Monasteries
World Heritage:

Preobrajenski monastery was founded in the 11th c. as convent of the Vatopedi monastery in Mount Athos and played an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of the capital Veliko Tarnovo. During the 14th c. the Medieval monastery (situated some 300m to the south of the present one) was burned and destroyed – significant architectural and ceramic elements of it were discovered, as well as fragments from wall paintings and remains from the Medieval church with a nave and narthex, strengthened with external supporting vaults because of the unstable surrounding grounds.
The present monastery ensemble was developed during the 19th c. The church “The Holy Transfiguration” with unique architecture was created by two great master-builders from the period of Bulgarian Revival – Dimitar Sofianliata and Kolio Ficheto. The church has also remarkable art decoration, work of the outstanding Bulgarian painter Zahari Zograph dating back to the period 1849 – 1851, one of the masterpieces of Revival’s art. The woodcarving of the iconostasis is of the same high value as its icons. The monks’ wings with spacious verandas are also built by Kolio Ficheto in his typical Revival’s style.

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