Rozhen Monastery
Rozhen Monastery
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
194 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
54
Average
10
Poor
5
Terrible
1
travelwithcarlo
London, UK2,331 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
Set in an awesome area this monastery has some of the most beautifully and intricate wall paintings that I have ever seen.
It’s free to enter the grounds & inside. Make sure to take a hike to the pyramids afterwards.
It’s free to enter the grounds & inside. Make sure to take a hike to the pyramids afterwards.
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,679 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
This small monastery is uphill just 1 kilometer from Rozhen village. It can be reached from Melnik via a 5-km eco-trail that leads directly to its gates.
The church is small too with beautiful altarpiece and murals. At the entrance you will find a basket with gown-like dresses which ladies can use for free to cover their shoulders down to their knees before they enter the church. Certain rules have to be observed, of course, like wearing proper attire, keeping quiet, not smoking in the yard, etc. And, of course, you will see many visitors violating them offhandedly. You can also see the old dining room on the second floor of the main building. For those interested in the history of the monastery, there is a big information board in the yard.
The surrounding area is beautiful too - a big meadow with some gazebos, the scenery typical for the area with the sand pyramids and the Pirin mountain in the background. A big parking lot is just next to the monastery.
Rozhen monastery, unlike many other big monasteries today in Bulgaria, is humble and serene, and not commercial.
The church is small too with beautiful altarpiece and murals. At the entrance you will find a basket with gown-like dresses which ladies can use for free to cover their shoulders down to their knees before they enter the church. Certain rules have to be observed, of course, like wearing proper attire, keeping quiet, not smoking in the yard, etc. And, of course, you will see many visitors violating them offhandedly. You can also see the old dining room on the second floor of the main building. For those interested in the history of the monastery, there is a big information board in the yard.
The surrounding area is beautiful too - a big meadow with some gazebos, the scenery typical for the area with the sand pyramids and the Pirin mountain in the background. A big parking lot is just next to the monastery.
Rozhen monastery, unlike many other big monasteries today in Bulgaria, is humble and serene, and not commercial.
Written April 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Aussizraeli
28 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
Quite historical and preserved the beautiful surrounding views, the Christian art on the outside and inside walls which is preserved but not necessarily renovated which is genuine
Written April 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Betty G
Ames, IA122 contributions
Aug 2019
I was there in August, 2019 as a guest of those living in Bulgaria.
They knew I was bringing a walker due to balance issues after having several really bad falls and 2 knee replacements. They did NOT tell me prior about the awful ROCK walking conditions; no slabs of concrete.
It was horrible trying to get over the HUGE rocks all over the entire monastery!!
There was beautiful ceiling paintings all over, but very hard to get there. Were NO RAMPS for walkers or wheelchairs.
I think it was there also where NO PHOTOS were allowed inside the church! You had to purchase their photos, etc.
My host had to change clothes; NO SHORT TOPS OR SHORTS ALLOWED inside!
Extremely small parking lot; had to park way down the road for any handicapped people to know ahead of time.
Betty Gordon, Ames, IOWA / USA senior
They knew I was bringing a walker due to balance issues after having several really bad falls and 2 knee replacements. They did NOT tell me prior about the awful ROCK walking conditions; no slabs of concrete.
It was horrible trying to get over the HUGE rocks all over the entire monastery!!
There was beautiful ceiling paintings all over, but very hard to get there. Were NO RAMPS for walkers or wheelchairs.
I think it was there also where NO PHOTOS were allowed inside the church! You had to purchase their photos, etc.
My host had to change clothes; NO SHORT TOPS OR SHORTS ALLOWED inside!
Extremely small parking lot; had to park way down the road for any handicapped people to know ahead of time.
Betty Gordon, Ames, IOWA / USA senior
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ella1168
United Kingdom40 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
The road to the monastery is as interesting as the place itself. The monastery is small, but tranquil. They ask that visitors respect the wishes for no photographs and for quiet. The day we were there we saw no evidence of this, which I found disappointing. There was a baptism taking place inside the chapel so we didn’t get a good look inside (although the doors were open so we could see in) but the building as a whole is worth a visit. Also worth noting is the drive up past the Roche’s pyramids with are quite amazing, and the drive through Melnik smallest town in Bulgaria, also worth a visit
Written August 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LORIT123
Vienna, Austria206 contributions
Jun 2019
very beautiful! exquisite and really old! stunning surroundings!
the best way to reach it by foot is a walk of roughly 90 minutes from Melnik through a stunning scenery.
the best way to reach it by foot is a walk of roughly 90 minutes from Melnik through a stunning scenery.
Written June 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
drewledbury
drewledbury31 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We drove to the monastery from Melnik...I feel a bit guilty toured everybody else walked!
Entrance was free and we did wear shorts and despite the warnings outside, it wasn't a problem.
It is a low key place in a stunning location, limestone pyramids abound. Because of this the chapel with its myriad frescos and stunning icons is a bit of s surprise. The refectory room is on the second floor opposite the chapel entrance.
Down the hill is place to have roadside coffee.
Entrance was free and we did wear shorts and despite the warnings outside, it wasn't a problem.
It is a low key place in a stunning location, limestone pyramids abound. Because of this the chapel with its myriad frescos and stunning icons is a bit of s surprise. The refectory room is on the second floor opposite the chapel entrance.
Down the hill is place to have roadside coffee.
Written September 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Svetla
10 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We walked to Rozhen Monastery from Melnik in the river basin and through the sand pyramids and it was realy worth it (even though the path was demaged a bit near the Monastery).
The Monastery is very nice, neat and small but picturesque inside. You just want to whisper not to disturb the calmness you can almost touch :-)
The Monastery is very nice, neat and small but picturesque inside. You just want to whisper not to disturb the calmness you can almost touch :-)
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marin881
Prague, Czech Republic66 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
It is very beautiful monastery in gorgeous landscape. View of Pirin mountains is breathtaking. Monsastery is fully operational, so keep quite, dress properly ...
Written May 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bjsmit
Soesterberg, The Netherlands201 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
The drive up the hill is nice, with some great views.
The monastery is small but ok, the both combined makes a nice trip.
The monastery is small but ok, the both combined makes a nice trip.
Written May 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi. I want to know about good mehana in the area
NevaVP
Sofia, Bulgaria35 contributions
Melnik is full of them. I have personally tried Bolyarka and Pri Shestaka (but it was several years ago) and Chavkovata kashta (the beginning of March 2017) and was pleased with all of them. They all had their own wine, too (or so they claimed :-)).
Rozhen Monastery, Melnik
Frequently Asked Questions about Rozhen Monastery
- We recommend booking Rozhen Monastery tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 11 Rozhen Monastery tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Rozhen Monastery:
- (0.00 mi) Rozhena Hotel
- (0.00 mi) Hotel Dinchova Kushta
- (0.13 mi) Hotel Zlaten Rozhen
- (0.22 mi) Motel Rozhen
- (0.13 mi) Rozhena Hotel Complex
- Restaurants near Rozhen Monastery:
- (0.00 mi) Motel Rozhen
- (2.13 mi) Chavkova House Restaurant
- (1.96 mi) Mencheva Kashta
- (2.10 mi) Bistro Melnik
- (2.12 mi) Chinarite