Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity, Orthodox monastery in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
The Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity is an Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria situated near the Yantra River within a gorge. The complex features a church with three domes and multiple buildings that blend into the rocky landscape.
The monastery was founded in 1070 when churchwarden Georgi Prilozhnik and his son Kalin established it during Byzantine rule over Bulgaria. These origins make it one of the oldest religious centers in the region.
The monastery served as a center for religious scholarship in the late 14th century and played an important role in preserving theological texts. Monks here created significant handwritten works that were shared across the region.
The monastery lies north of Veliko Tarnovo and is reachable via roads leading to nearby villages. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the path to the monastery and within the grounds is hilly.
The church within the monastery contains an altar originating from the Roman ruins of Nicopolis ad Istrum. This altar was originally used in pagan sacrifice rituals before being incorporated into the monastery's sacred space.
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