The Praveshki Monastery “St. Theodore Tyron,” a Bulgarian Orthodox gem, nestles quietly 2 to 3 kilometers from Pravets, on the road to Etropole. It sits within the Etropole division of the Balkan Mountains, with Bilo Mountain to the south and the Vitomeritsa River gorge to the north. Always overshadowed by the more prominent Etropole Monastery, which is about 10 kilometers away, this small monastery is part of the Botevgrad deanery under the Lovech Diocese of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
Ancient Origins and Turbulent History
In ancient times, a Thracian sanctuary stood where the monastery now resides. It’s believed that the Christian monastery emerged during the reign of Asen and Peter. During the Ottoman rule, the monastery suffered two significant attacks: one by Janissaries in 1636 and another by Kardzhali in the 18th century, which left it utterly destroyed. It was rebuilt in 1866 through donations from wealthy locals. Between the Liberation and World War II, it functioned as a women’s convent. The kitchen, dating from this period, now houses the monastery’s serving father.
Architectural Features and Renovations
Architecturally, the Praveshki Monastery comprises two buildings: the church and a monastic residence with seven rooms. The church “St. Theodore Tyron” is a solid stone structure with three large apses. The iconostasis, crafted by painters from the Teteven School, features a noteworthy icon of St. George the Victorious from 1869. Unfortunately, the icon of St. Theodore Tyron is almost entirely destroyed. The church facade is adorned with bas-reliefs of eagles and a Russian silver coin on either side of the entrance.
In 2006 and 2007, the monastery underwent major renovations, with the church frescoes being meticulously restored.
The Praveshki Monastery, though small and often in the shadow of its larger counterpart, holds a rich history and a quiet beauty that speaks of resilience and devotion. Its restored frescoes and historical icons invite visitors into a world where faith and heritage are carefully preserved amidst the serene backdrop of the Balkan Mountains.
