Description of the attraction
The Kapinovsky Monastery is located 14 km from Veliko Tarnovo and 5 km from Velchevo. The monastery has been one of the monuments of artistic culture since 1973. The patron saint of the monastery is Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.
According to the inscription that existed before, instead of the modern cathedral church, there was an ancient temple built in 1272 during the reign of Asen the Quiet. Other legends insist that the church was built here in 1228 under Asen II. When the kingdom of Tarnovo was captured by the Ottoman Empire, the monastery was burned down, after which it was abandoned for a long time.
In the 17th century, the monastery was restored by residents of neighboring villages. Since the believers did not have an official permission to restore the monastery, they were forced to rebuild the monastery complex at night. New buildings were specially smoked and thus the building was given an "aged" look. Subsequently, the monastery was again awaited by destruction and arson.
Only in the 19th century was the reconstruction of the monastery resumed. Since 1835, a new cathedral church has appeared on the territory of the complex, attracting pilgrims today. The rebuilding continued in 1865, when the Horozovski brothers donated money to the Kapinovsky monastery for the construction of a residential part, made in the original architectural style. Later the brothers became monks.
Since the 19th century, the Kapinovsky Monastery has turned into an important religious center, where a cell school operates. The monks of the monastery actively participated in the struggle against the Ottoman yoke.
The capital's archaeological museum contains a unique find brought to the museum from the monastery: a triptych-list, which lists the benefactors of the monastery. From the 18th century to the present day, the altar gates and carved frieze have remained intact. Various unique icons can also be seen in the monastery.
The Kapinovsky Monastery is an active monastery, a man's monastery. A special gathering of pilgrims is celebrated on December 6, on a temple holiday. There is an opportunity for an overnight stay in the monastery.
