Rozhen Monastery

Visit the Rozhen Monastery, located in the foothills of Pirin Mountains, and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the region. The Rozhen Monastery of the Nativity of the Mother of God is the fourth largest monastery in Bulgaria, and it is located near the adorable town of Melnik, in southwestern Bulgaria.

The journey for the visit of the Rozhen monastery is through the captivating Earth Pyramids of Melnik located in the Pirin Mountains. When traveling to the Rozhen monastery you pass through the town of Melnik, which is considered the smallest town of Bulgaria and it is known for its gorgeous nature, adorable atmosphere and distinct grape variety. After the town of Melnik, there is a narrow mountain road that goes through several small villages, one of which is the village of Rozhen. Nevertheless, on your journey for the visit of the Rozhen monastery, you will see signs that direct you towards the monastery. When reaching the end of the road, there is a big parking area in front of the monastery.

Before you visit the Rozhen monastery, take a moment to enjoy the spectacular view of the high hills of Pirin Mountains and the captivating Earth Pyramids. Regarding the Rozhen monastery, the true date of its foundation is unknown; however, archaeologists have found some evidence from the medieval period dated to the 13th and 14th centuries. For instance, the marble frieze above the central gate of the church is dated to the 14th century. This signifies that the main church was constructed before the 15th century. Some of the oldest frescoes in the Rozhen monastery preserved until today date from 1597. However, the first written evidence for the existence of the Rozhen monastery dates from 1551.

The yard of the Rozhen monastery is charming and picturesque, with some flowers and grapevines around. The visit to the Rozhen monastery and the walk around give you a pleasing sense of the cosiness and peacefulness of this beautiful spiritual place. Therefore, every year, many people visit Rozhen monastery, not just for the Christian holidays but also to enjoy the beauty and tranquillity that the monastery has to offer its visitors.