History
Monasteries | Old
Bulgarian Capitals | Museum
Towns
The Kilifarevo Monastery has gone down in the annals of Bulgarian history
as the "Second University of Mediaeval Bulgaria", following
that of Clement of Ochrid's large School in Ochrid. It was founded between
1348 and 1350 upon the order of Tzar Ivan Alexander, 12 km south of
Turnovo, for the purpose of providing shelter for the Hesychast and
hermit Theodossius of Turnovo, a man of letters and an enlightener roaming
the Bulgarian lands at the time. The monastery soon gathered writers,
philologists, translators and calligraphers alongside with clergymen
who spread Hesychasm, theologians and philosophers. Liturgical books
and Byzantine chronicles were translated, volumes were compiled of the
lives of Bulgarian, Serbian and Greek saints, and sermons were written
against the different and numerous heresies.
The most remarkable work of art here is again in the chapel: the old
carved iconostasis, probably the work of Tryavna masters, fashioned
with great imagination, seen above all in the figures of mythical monsters
and beasts, with great sculptural talent, manifesting at the same time
a perfect measure for decorativeness.
Kilifarevo Monastery repeatedly restored and reconstructed, has a complete,
harmonious appearance, blending with the enviroment, which ranks it
among the finest architectural ensembles of the Bulgarian National Revival
period.
