Located in Northern Bulgaria, about 5 kilometers southwest of the town of Dryanovo and approximately 15 kilometers from Gabrovo, lies the Dryanovo Monastery. Accessible by an asphalt road, it is also served by the Bacho Kiro railway stop on the Ruse-Momchilgrad railway line, originally named St. Archangel until October 20, 1949. The railway stop is a short distance of about one kilometer from the monastery, with a forest trail conveniently leading visitors the rest of the way.
A Haven for Pilgrims and History Enthusiasts
Dryanovo Monastery offers lodgings in several wings of its complex, inviting pilgrims and visitors to immerse themselves in its serene atmosphere. This sacred enclave is not merely a place of rest; it is steeped in history, having seen countless epochs pass.
The Ancient Echoes of the Gorge
The gorge surrounding the monastery has a history that reaches back into the earliest prehistoric ages. Ancient peoples inhabited the caves of the Boruna massif and the rock formations known as Polichkite. The earliest known settlement of primitive man in this area is found in Bacho Kiro Cave, where remains dating back to the Middle and Late Paleolithic (100,000 to 10,000 BC) were unearthed. Archaeologists have excavated a five-meter cultural layer here, revealing over 6,000 artifacts—a veritable treasure trove of prehistoric life. Today, the cave is adapted for tourists, offering a fascinating glimpse into humanity’s distant past.
Continuity of Culture Through Ages
From the Copper and Bronze Ages, people continued to build their homes in the rock openings and hollows of Polichkite. By the early Iron Age and into Antiquity, the residents of this area were Thracians, albeit on the outskirts of the wealthier Thracian states, with a cultural heritage that, while significant, was more modest than that of their southern counterparts.
The Strategic Importance in Early Byzantine Times
In the Early Byzantine period, the strategic significance of the Fore-Balkan area surged. The empire recognized its potential for both economic growth and cultural flourishing. Fortresses were erected by the Romans at the gorges of Boruna and Grada to maintain control over key mountain passes in Central Stara Planina. By the fifth century, however, these fortresses were abandoned as the Fore-Balkan entered the domain of Slavic tribes. Yet, by the tenth century, these fortifications came under the control of powerful feudal lords, including the soon-to-become ruling dynasty of the Asen family.
Defenders of Tarnovgrad: The Fortresses of Boruna and Grada
The fortresses at Boruna and Grada formed the last defensive line for Tarnovgrad, the Bulgarian capital, standing as resolute guardians against invaders.
The Founding of the Medieval Monastery of St. Archangel Michael
The Dryanovo Monastery, dedicated to St. Archangel Michael, was founded during the reign of Tsar Kaloyan. Around 1206, the relics of St. Michael the Warrior were brought to Tarnovgrad from Potuka, an unidentified settlement in Thrace. The procession paused by the Dryanovska River beneath Grada, and, as tradition demanded, a monastery was erected at this sacred resting place. Over centuries, Dryanovo Monastery became a beacon of Bulgarian enlightenment and cultural resilience.
The Monastery as a Guardian of Bulgarian Spirit
Rebuilt in its current location in 1845, the monastery served as a sanctuary of the Bulgarian spirit throughout five centuries of Ottoman rule. Revolutionaries such as Vasil Ivanov Kunchev—known as Levski—and Father Matey Preobrazhenski—called Mitkaloto—found refuge within its walls. The monastery also hosted a revolutionary committee, solidifying its role in the Bulgarian fight for freedom.
Preparation for the April Uprising
Playing a crucial role in the preparations for the April Uprising in the Tarnovo district, the monastery stored food and weapons. On April 29, 1876, Pop Hariton’s detachment—the first rebel group in Tarnovo and all of Bulgaria—entered the monastery. Encircled by Ottoman forces, they fought a heroic nine-day battle, with most sacrificing their lives for Bulgaria’s freedom. The destroyed monastery was partially restored, and on April 3, 1877, its main church was rededicated in a solemn ceremony. Abbot Pakhomiy Stoyanov held the first memorial service for the fallen rebels, while bullet holes from Turkish weapons were deliberately preserved in the walls as reminders of the trials endured.
A Monument of Remembrance and Reverence
In 1897, grateful descendants erected an ossuary monument to honor the fallen rebels. The project, designed by Italian sculptor Giovanni Mosutti, had been in progress since 1890, with a statue crafted in Rome by Luca Arditi. In 1946, Kolyo Karagyuzov, a philanthropist, Gabrovo industrialist, and German vice-consul, donated 50,000 leva to the monastery for a new iconostasis in the church.
A Revered Sanctuary of Bulgarian Orthodoxy
Today, the modern Dryanovo Monastery stands as one of the ten most venerated sanctuaries in the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Recognized as a national historical monument, it is also a beloved tourist destination, drawing thousands each year who come to pay homage to its legacy, its beauty, and the resilience of the Bulgarian people.
