The Plakovo Monastery
Presentation
Work time
How do we get to
Service
Practical information
Information Center
Contacts
The Plakovo Monastery “The Holy Prophet Elijah” is located about 2 km from The Kapinovo Monastery, which is why the two are known as “twin monasteries.” The monastery is roughly 20 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It was declared a cultural landmark in Issue 51 of the State Decrees for 1973.
The monastery was founded during the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (reign 1218-1241). It has been in its present location since the 13th century. Before that, it was located somewhat to the south.
The monastery was destroyed in 1393 during the Ottoman invasion. It was rebuilt in 1450, but very shortly after that, it was again razed to the ground.
Today, the monastery complex includes the church, living quarters, and stables. It is thought that the church is the work of the master builder Kolyo Ficheto, and that it was constructed in 1845. In 1856, Ficheto erected a second wing to accommodate the monks, along with a bell tower that is 25.9 meters high. The famous 19th- century icon painter Zahariy Zograf completed the only fresco in the church – The Blessed Elijah on His Chariot. The master Zograf also painted some of the icons on the church’s iconostasis.
The monk in residence at the monastery is prepared to provide further information about the monastery’s history to interested visitors. The annual celebration in honor of the monastery church is held on July 20. There are no overnight guest accommodations at the monastery.
Presentation
The Plakovo Monastery “The Holy Prophet Elijah” is located about 2 km from The Kapinovo Monastery, which is why the two are known as “twin monasteries.” The monastery is roughly 20 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo. It was declared a cultural landmark in Issue 51 of the State Decrees for 1973.
The monastery was founded during the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II (reign 1218-1241). It has been in its present location since the 13th century. Before that, it was located somewhat to the south.
The monastery was destroyed in 1393 during the Ottoman invasion. It was rebuilt in 1450, but very shortly after that, it was again razed to the ground.
Today, the monastery complex includes the church, living quarters, and stables. It is thought that the church is the work of the master builder Kolyo Ficheto, and that it was constructed in 1845. In 1856, Ficheto erected a second wing to accommodate the monks, along with a bell tower that is 25.9 meters high. The famous 19th- century icon painter Zahariy Zograf completed the only fresco in the church – The Blessed Elijah on His Chariot. The master Zograf also painted some of the icons on the church’s iconostasis.
The monk in residence at the monastery is prepared to provide further information about the monastery’s history to interested visitors. The annual celebration in honor of the monastery church is held on July 20. There are no overnight guest accommodations at the monastery.
Work time
Monday –Sunday: 7.00 – 19.00
There is no admission fee to visit the monastery.
The monk in charge is prepared to offer further information about the monastery and the surrounding region (in Bulgarian only) free of charge.
How to get there
From Veliko Tarnovo, take the road toward the village of Velchevo. The monastery is 5 km past the village. The Kapinovo Monastery is another 2 km from there.
Servising
There is a monk in residence at the monastery who offers information in Bulgarian only.
Practical information
Tourist information center
Tourist information center “Tsarevgrad Tarnov”
Head office – Veliko Tarnovo 5000, 5 Hristo Botev Str
November-March
Monday-Friday 9:00 -18:00
April-October
Monday-Friday 9:00 -18:00
Tel:
+358 62 622 148
+359 887 659 829
E-mail:
tic@velikoturnovo.info
office@velikoturnovo.info
Website: http://www.velikoturnovo.info/bg/
Second office – Veliko Tarnovo 5000, 27 Nikola Piccolo Str.
April-October
Monday-Friday 9:00 – 18:00
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 – 17:00
Tel:
+359 62 600 768
+359 886 640 100
Contacts
Tel:
+359 878 148 658
+359 61 101 320
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.
