Monasteries, churches, authentic
architecture
The
visitor can admire the remarkable traditional residences and mansions
in the Eastern Rhodopes mountain. Group settlements of traditional
architecture are preserved in the villages of the region of Ivaylovgrad
– Odrintzi, Mandritza and Dolno Lukovo and the old town of Zlatograd.
You
can visit the village of Odrintzi for its unique sun-dried brick
architecture and the village of Mandritza – unique with its „red
architecture“. The village of Mandritza is fully preserved with
authentic interiors, silkworm houses and one of the oldest preserved
churches in the region – the burial church „St. Nedelya“, built
in 1816.
Church „Saint Panteleymon“ - village of Pelevun,
region of Ivaylovgrad
A
typical representative of the national revival religious architecture
from the middle of XIX century. It has high historical value and
it's declared for an architectural-artistic monument of culture
of local importance. The value of the temple has connection with
the hero Captain Petko Voyvoda and his army, who succeded to save
the local inhabitants with device from the turkish conquerors
in the war between Russians and Turkish. The holiday of the temple
is on 27-th of july and it's celebrated with ceremonial lithurgy
and boiled mutton for health. The church is active. Every sunday
there is a morning mass.
Other
representatives of the bulgarian national revival period are the
churches „God's transfiguration“, „St.St.Konstantin and Helena“
and „Saint Iliya Prophet“ in the town of Ivaylovgrad, the monastery
„St.St.Konstantin and Helena“ near the town of Ivaylograd and
the „Saint Atanasii“ church in the village of Belopolyane.
Pictures
The
village of Dolno Lukovo also is a unique combination
of fully preserved authentic old stone houses and their interior,
silkworm houses and the oldest churche in the hole region of the
Eastern Rhodopes mountain - „St. St. Konstanitn and Helena“, built
in 1806. This church is one of the oldest in the Eastern Rhodopes
mountain. It's declared for a monument of culture of local importance.
The building is very low, half-digged into the ground, without
windows. According to the legend the church was built only for
7 nights. Of special interest are the wood-carving iconostasis
and the original icons from the beggining of XIX century. The
church is not active from the 1896. Only on 21 may (The saint's
day of St.St.Konstanitn and Helena) there is a ceremonial mass.
Pictures
Medievale church „Saint Yoan Precursor“
One
of the most unique monuments in the Eastern Rhodopes – it is situated
in today's „Veselchani“ district in the town of Kardzhali. In
1998 the archaeologists excavate an unique vault with relics of
high-standing bishop from XIII – XIV century. This makes it a
value of world importance.
Pictures
Parish Orthodox church „Saint George Conqueror“
It
is situated in the centre of the town of Kardzhali. It was built
in XX century, active church, a monument of culture of local importance.
Monastery complex “The Assumption”
It
is situated in the district of “Gledka” in town of Kardzhali.
It was built in XX century, active church, a monument of culture
of local importance.
During
the Turkish domination, the urban centres of the Kardzhali region
had a common architectural tradition, in the context of the wider
cultural unity of the Ottoman Empire.
The
muslim temple – mosque in the town of Kardzhali is an
active temple with minaret and administrative part.
Church „The Assumption“ in the town of Zlatograd
One
of the oldest churches in the Rhodopes, situated near the old
part of the town of Zlatograd. The building is half-digged into
the ground. It was built in 1834 for 40 days. The icons were brought
from the monasteries of the Mount Athos and most of them are wonder-working.
The churche is not active, but could be visited with guide.
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