Dragalevtsi Monastery, Orthodox monastery at Vitosha Mountain slopes near Sofia, Bulgaria
Dragalevtsi Monastery is an Orthodox retreat nestled at the base of Vitosha Mountain outside Sofia, featuring a single-nave church with an apse flanked by residential structures. The church measures approximately 40 by 16 feet (12 by 5 meters), making it a compact and intimate space for worship.
The site was founded in the 14th century under Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Alexander as a spiritual center in the mountain foothills. Ottoman forces destroyed it during their conquest of the region in 1382, though it was restored by local communities in later centuries.
The frescoes here show saints dressed as warriors and biblical stories painted onto the walls, along with portraits of the Radoslav Mavar family. These images reveal how people of that era saw their faith and the figures they honored.
The site is roughly twenty minutes from central Sofia by car, with a paved road leading directly from the Dragalevtsi neighborhood. The grounds are walkable, though sturdy shoes are helpful if you plan to explore the surrounding mountain slopes.
The west wall displays frescoes of the Virgin Mary alongside three saints—George, Dimitar, and Merkurius—painted during separate historical periods. These overlapping layers show how the site was repeatedly repainted and revived across different centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
