Dragalevski monastery “St. Virgin Mary Vitosha”

The monastery is from the time of tsar Ivan- Alexander, around the middle of the XIV century. Unfortunately from the old temple nothing was left and we know for it from the charter of tsar Ivan- Shishman, mentioned as “The Vitoshka Pure Virgin Mary”. When Sofia was captured by the Ottomans, the monastery was spared and restored its activity as a literary centre. During the XVII century the cloiser had a monastic school with a permanent teacher. The Dragalevski monastery is at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, 10 km. south from Sofia. The Bulgarian capital of Sofia is situated in the south part of the valley between the Vitosha and the Ljulin mountains.It is one of the oldest settlements in Europe (IV – III c. b.n.e.). Its names tell about its centuries-old history - Serdika, Sredetc, Triaditca and Sofia.There are many places of sightseeing here. Boyana is 8 km. from the centre of the capital where one of the most precious monuments in Bulgaria is situated – the Boyanska church.It is known in Bulgaria and abroard with its great wall-paintings, made by the hands of unknown painter from the Turnovska school. There are over 240 human figures ,portrayed in it.