Historic Landmark
Zemen Monastery

Nowadays Zemen Monastery "St. Joan " is not inhabited by monks , but has been turned into a museum. In fact, in 2004 it was declared a national museum , a branch of the National History Museum. Zemenska church itself does , which is the oldest surviving building today , back in 1966 is a monument of Bulgarian architecture and painting. Architecturally it has a special place in the Balkans as a representative of cruciform architecture. The temple dates back to the very founding of the monastery in the 11th century and represents a simple cube-like room. In the renovation of the monastery in the XIX century the church got its entrance from the courtyard to the altar . The altar itself is a stone surface, its floor is of colored marble and stone pieces.

Long , nearly ten centuries of history , the monastery is rich prosper and vicissitudes . Curious and fascinating fact is that the cloisters is collapsed and reconstructed several times , and the church with frescoes has managed to survive through all these turbulent centuries. From studies of the monastery archives shows that the church was strengthened in 1830 and 1860. In Zemen Church are some of the earliest portraits of Bulgarian boyars - unknown local feudal lord and his wife Doya . They are located in the southwest corner of the church and part of the reserved six donor portrait. They have great artistic value, but less than that of the images of Kaloyan and Desislava the Boyana Church .

In Zemen monastery has residential housing. It was built in the middle of the XIX century

combines monastic cells with huge Hodaviah guest . At that time the monastery has met not only religious and cultural activities , but also a revolutionary center. On the eve of the April Uprising Zemen Abbot Michael organized the reading , which planned to support the uprising . Patriotic act , which paid with his life .

After the liberation innovation to the interior of the monastery are few - among them is the tower in the courtyard to the residential wing .

Situated on one of the north-eastern slopes of Konyavska Mountain, about a kilometer south of the town of Zemen monastery is easily accessible . It can be reached easily from the center of Zemen - drive for about 5 minutes or walking - for 30 minutes. In advance you can order food cooked in cloisters .

• Monastery