The Zemen Monastery
Presentation
Work time
How do we get to
Service
Practical information
Information Center
Contacts
The Zemen Monastery “Saint John the Evangelist” is located 1.5 km from the city of Zemen and 70 km southwest of Sofia. At first, it was thought the monastery was built between the 9th and 10th centuries, but when earlier frescoes and other decorative elements were discovered during excavations, archeologists realized it had been founded sometime during The First Bulgarian Empire (681-1018 CE).
In 1334, Deyan, the ruler and despot of the Velbazhdosko Empire, donated funds to redecorate the monastery church that had been erected sometime during the 11th-12th centuries. The church has a cruciform dome and three apses. The present dome was built during the 19th century when the church was restored after lying in ruins for many years. During the middle of the 19th century, living quarters for monks were also constructed. When the Ottoman Empire fell in 1878, a small bell tower was added to the monastery complex. There are still a few elements left in the church that date to the 12th century. It is possible to discern from these the subjects of some extant frescoes – The Refusal of Offerings Made by Joachim and Anna, as well as the face of what may be an Old Testament king – David or Solomon – or an image of Saints Constantine and Elena. Also preserved are portraits of the church’s founders, the despotic ruler Deyan and his wife Zoya, which date from the 14th century. All of the church frescoes have been restored.
In a protocol issued by The Society for the Protection of Cultural Monuments (SOPK) on February 2, 1971, The Zemen Monastery was declared an archeological and cultural landmark. The monastery is not functioning but has been granted the status of a museum site because of its valuable frescoes.
Presentation
The Zemen Monastery “Saint John the Evangelist” is located 1.5 km from the city of Zemen and 70 km southwest of Sofia. At first, it was thought the monastery was built between the 9th and 10th centuries, but when earlier frescoes and other decorative elements were discovered during excavations, archeologists realized it had been founded sometime during The First Bulgarian Empire (681-1018 CE).
In 1334, Deyan, the ruler and despot of the Velbazhdosko Empire, donated funds to redecorate the monastery church that had been erected sometime during the 11th-12th centuries. The church has a cruciform dome and three apses. The present dome was built during the 19th century when the church was restored after lying in ruins for many years. During the middle of the 19th century, living quarters for monks were also constructed. When the Ottoman Empire fell in 1878, a small bell tower was added to the monastery complex. There are still a few elements left in the church that date to the 12th century. It is possible to discern from these the subjects of some extant frescoes – The Refusal of Offerings Made by Joachim and Anna, as well as the face of what may be an Old Testament king – David or Solomon – or an image of Saints Constantine and Elena. Also preserved are portraits of the church’s founders, the despotic ruler Deyan and his wife Zoya, which date from the 14th century. All of the church frescoes have been restored.
In a protocol issued by The Society for the Protection of Cultural Monuments (SOPK) on February 2, 1971, The Zemen Monastery was declared an archeological and cultural landmark. The monastery is not functioning but has been granted the status of a museum site because of its valuable frescoes.
Work time
Monday – Sunday: 9.30 am – 6.00 pm
How to get there
The monastery is located 2 km from the center of the city Zemen. There are signs posted that give directions to the monastery.
Servising
Practical information
Tourist information center
Tourist information center – Trun
22 Velin Stoyanov Str.
Tel: +359 7731 2198
E-mail: tic_tran@abv.bg; v_blagoeva@mail.bg
Website: www.tran.bg
Contacts
The Zemen Monastery
Tel: +359 7741 20 29
Website: www.zemen-bg.com
Virtual map
Photos
© All images, advertising and video materials and/or other information published on this website are property of the Ministry of Tourism and are protected by the Law on Copyright and Related Rights, according to the Bulgarian laws to all applicable international and relevant acts of the European Union.
