Popular Name

Pravetz Monastery

Orthodox Name

St. Teodor Tiron

Region

Sofia

Location

Location - Pravetz Monastery

The St Theodor Tiron monastery is located about 2-3km away from the town of Pravets, following the road to Etropole. It lies in the Etropole part of the Balkan mountain, and is naturally bounded by the relatively low Bilo mountain to the South and the defile of the Vitomeritsa river to the north.

History

It is believed that the Pravets monastery has its origin back in ancient times, when the place was occupied by a Thracian sanctuary. During the rule of the Assen and Peter brothers, it was transformed into a Christian cloister. During more or less its entire existence, the monastery has remained in the shadow of the nearby Etropole monastery, located about 10km away from it. There are no historical records of St Theodor Tiron regarding its existence during the early Ottoman rule. It is only known that during the so-called raids of rebel groups, named Kurdzhalii, in the 18th century, the monastery was entirely destroyed – only to be rebuilt shortly afterwards. Close to the present-day church, once there used to lie a chapel. At present, there is no trace to be found of this chapel, even if the place remains of interest to treasure-hunters. The monastery complex consists of two buildings – a church and a residential part. The church is entirely made of stone and brick layers, and represents a massive building. The iconostasis was created by painters from the famous Teteven school. The St George’s icon, painted in 1869, is particularly impressive. Regretfully, another icon depicting St Theodor Tiron is almost completely destroyed. Two bas-reliefs with two-headed eagles, placed just above the entrance of the church, are also of interest.

Accommodation

Even if St Theodor and Tiron is a relatively small monastery, it offers food and accommodation. Yet it is better suited for a family holiday than for hosting a big company. The nearby town of Pravets offers a good deal of hotels and nice restaurants. As regards the latter, we would recommend “Praveshka banitsa” – a restaurant with traditional Bulgarian cuisine, placed in a beautifully restored house, dating back to the Bulgarian Renaissance period.

Transport

The Pravets monastery is easiest to reach following the Pravets offroad from the Hemus highway and then taking the old mainroad to Varnа. Shortly after reaching the town of Pravets, one arrives at the offroad to Etropole. The direct offroad to the monastery (about 1km down a dirty road) is reached after driving about 2km down the road to Etropole.

Photo Gallery

st_teodor_tiron_complex.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the complex
st_teodor_tiron_church_outside.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the church outside
st_teodor_tiron_church_outside_2.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the church outside
st_teodor_tiron_church_inside_2.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - inside the church
st_teodor_tiron_church_inside.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - inside the church
st_teodor_tiron_complex_2.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Complex
st_teodor_tiron_complex_3.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Complex
st_teodor_tiron_complex_4.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Complex
st_teodor_tiron_church_outside_3.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Church
st_teodor_tiron_church_inside_3.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - inside the Church
st_teodor_tiron_yard_1.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Yard
st_teodor_tiron_yard_2.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Yard
st_teodor_tiron_yard_3.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Yard
st_teodor_tiron_yard_4.jpg
Pravetz Monastery - the Yard

Ratings

History: 8.92

Architecture: 8.85

Location: 9.31

Overall Rating: 9.02

Our Presentation: 8.54

Total Votes: 13

Rate this Monastery

History:
Architecture:
Location:
Overall Rating:
Our Presentation:

Comments

Posted by Paul Smith USA on 2014-04-16 03:42:32

the monastery overlooks the green hill across and the view is worth a Million bucks. the monk Joanh Strashnikov is the best and real asset of this monastery. people are constantly calling him for prayers, help and advice!


All Monasteries