Ivanovo Rock Churches

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo are a group of about 20 small rock churches, chapels, as well as over 300 individual cells and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely different from other monastery complexes in Bulgaria, situated 22 km from Ruse, in close proximity to the village of Ivanovo, within the borders of Natural Park “Rusenski Lom”, 32 m above the river. The complex is noted for its beautiful and well-preserved medieval frescoes. A stair system in the rocks provides access for visitors to the various churches and chapels in the region. Ivanovo monastery’s rock churches, forming the monastery complex are one of 9 places in Bulgaria, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The monastery was founded in the 1220s by the monk Yoakim, who later became a Bulgarian patriarch. The Bulgarian tsars Yoan Asen ІІ (1218-1241), Yoan Alexander (1331-1371) and other representatives of the royal court, were among the monastery donators, and their donor’s portrait are preserved to the present day.

The Ivanovo Rock Churches were inhabited by monks, amongst them many grammarians and painters, who, in the 12-14th century, built the temples, and decorated the walls and ceilings with frescoes.

The main church of the Virgin Mary complex has been dug into the rock at a height of 38 meters so be prepared for quite a climb. Don’t miss the chance to walk upwards and on till you reach the endpoint of the small peninsula that juts out into the winding canyon on whose other side you can see dozens of bigger caves that offered accommodation to the hundreds of pilgrims, monks and students.

Even one of Bulgarian kings, George-Tervel (1280-1292) has decided to spend the end of his life in one of the monastery’s cells where the death found him. His tomb is situated on the third floor of the so-called “The Baptism room”.