Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Maglizh monastery keeps the memory of Levski alive

Close to the town of Maglizh, tucked away amidst the slopes of the Balkan Range rises the St. Nicholas monastery of Maglizh. It is thought to have been founded at the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1393). After Bulgaria fell to the Ottomans in the 14th century, the monastery was plundered and pillaged numerous times but every time the local population restored it. Construction of the monastery church now in existence started in 1834. The monastery complex comprises a single-nave church, residential and farming buildings, as well as two chapels dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, and to St. Archangel Michael. There also existed a monastery school.

Historical records show that during his travels around Bulgaria Vassil Levski stayed at Maglizh monastery twice, together with another revolutionary, priest Hariton, the first time in 1869, researchers say. Much like Levski’s other hideouts, the one in Maglizh monastery had two entrances, one of them secret so that Levski could make his escape at any time. Interestingly, it is hidden under the bed, inside a cupboard connected to a tunnel that led out into the forest. In our day the tunnel is sealed.

In 2017 the cell used by Vassil Levski was restored by a group of artists and artisans from Maglizh, with the idea of restoring the authentic look of the place and preserving a piece of Bulgaria’s history. In our day Levski’s cell has been turned into a museum, and is part of Maglizh monastery attracting visitors from the country and abroad.

Find out more about the cloister from Radio Bulgaria’s Maglizh monastery’s past is cloaked in mystery

More about the Apostle of Freedom:

Compiled by Veneta Nikolova

Photos: Facebook/ St. Nicholas monastery of Maglizh, dolap.bg


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Krastova Gora - where faith in God banishes despondency

On September 13 and 14 th the Orthodox Church celebrates the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, which is one of the greatest Christian holidays, celebrated with special solemnity. In Bulgaria it is widely known as..

published on 9/14/22 10:44 AM

Celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in “The Seven Thrones” Monastery

On September 8, when the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nativity of the Holy Theotokos), we take a look at the beautiful valley of Gabrovnitsa River and the Monastery of the Holy Theotokos, better..

published on 9/8/22 1:41 PM

Shipka Peak is synonymous with Bulgaria and its freedom

Bulgaria is celebrating 145 years of the Shipka Peak epopee - the heroic six-day epic battle in which the native defenders proved that freedom is not a gift, but was won with the blood and sacrifice of thousands of Bulgarians. The Balkan peak of Saint..

published on 8/20/22 5:35 AM