Glozhene Monastery

Glozhene Monastery stands on a narrow rock spur in the Balkan foothills near Teteven, with the ground falling away on three sides, and the position is the whole point: the courtyard ends at a low wall with a drop beyond it and a view over the Vit valley and the ridges beyond. It was founded in the thirteenth century by a Kyivan prince according to tradition, and the present church dates from 1858 after an earthquake destroyed the earlier one. The buildings are simple, with timber galleries around a small courtyard. Vasil Levski used it as a hiding place and a tunnel is shown in connection with that. The road up is steep and narrow and the monastery is quiet, with a handful of monks and few visitors.

What you actually see

• A spur with drops on three sides - the monastery on its rock.
• The courtyard viewpoint - the Vit valley and ridges from the wall.
• The 1858 church - rebuilt after an earthquake.
• The Levski hiding place - the tunnel shown to visitors.

When to go

April to October; the road can be difficult in winter. Two hours including the drive up. Late afternoon light over the valley is best. It is quiet at almost any time.

Honest expectations

The road up is steep, narrow and has drops; it is not for nervous drivers. Facilities are minimal. Interpretation is limited and in Bulgarian. The buildings themselves are plain; the position is the attraction.

Nearby

Teteven is south; the Central Balkan park lies east.