Payless

Monastery "Seven Thrones" is known as Osenovlashki monastery. It is situated in a beautiful area in the gorge of the river Gabrovitsa, 80 km from Sofia. Near there is the picturesque Iskar Gorge. Historians believe that the monastery was founded during the Middle Ages, probably in X-XI century. Legend connects the monastery with the name of the boyar Peter Delian (King Peter II) and the revolt against the Byzantine rule in 1040. It is believed that he died in the monastery after the failed uprising against the Byzantines. There is another legend about the creation of the monastery associated with the name "Seven Thrones". It says the monastery was founded in the XI century when seven boyars, who came from Bessarabia, settled in the area with their families. Their establishment in these areas is related to the occurrence of seven villages near the monastery. Another legend is associated with the remains of medieval castle, located near the monastery. Locals call it "Latin fortress" and connect it with the crusaders of the Third Crusade who passed through Bulgarian lands. The earliest evidence for the existence of Osenovlashki monastery dates from 1511. In 1737 Sultan Mahmud ordered the destruction of many monasteries and churches, including Osenovlashki. After the Russo-Turkish War in 1770 and the signing of a peace agreement, Sultan Abdul issues a decree, which allows subordinated Christians to build churches and monasteries. Then Osenovlashki monastery was rebuilt by master Stoyan from Troyan. In the early nineteenth century, the monastery was again destroyed and turned into private property of a wealthy Turkish family. In 1824, began re-restoration of the monastery. In 1848 at the new building is based a school, and in 1851 began construction of the large three-storey building of the monastery. Currently Osenovlashki monastery is functioning and welcomes visitors. The monastery is surrounded by high stone wall and in the middle of the courtyard lies the church. The complex also includes a bell tower and two residential buildings, most of which are rooms for visitors. The yard impresses with its well kept garden with many flowers, flowering shrubs and old trees, one of which is century-old redwood. The belfry has two bells with wooden and metal clapper - the latter taken from the ruins of a Roman fortress, situated near the monastery. Monastery has its own library, which contains old Orthodox books, including one donated by the Russian Empress Catherine. The monastery church dates from the 11-12 century but from multiple alterations over the past centuries, completely lost its authentic architecture. The unique seven church altar is something which has no equivalent in other Bulgarian church. Because of this monastery itself became known as "Seven Thrones". The four main altars form a cross and are separated from the main hall with interior walls. Two others are near the door, and the last seventh altar is just opposite the church entrance. Every altar is a separate chapel with own frescoes and iconostasis and is dedicated to a Bulgarian saint. The frescoes in the church are more than a hundred years old.