Rock Monestary...

In the past two weeks, I have managed to make it up north twice. It was such a long haul the first time around, I didn't think I would be headed back..and back so soon at that. (It takes 5 hours by a really slow bus just to get to Ruse, one of Bulgaria's largest cities situated on the Danube.) The northern region of Bulgaria is quite beautiful. I haven't had the chance to fully explore the area much, but what I have seen, I have been thoroughly impressed by. They have rolling foothills that stretch on for days and with spring here, the hills are a rich green when not blanketed by all the yellow flowers in bloom right now. Breath taking, really.


With a few friends, we ventured out of the big city of Ruse to the small village of Ivanovo. Here, high in the vertical rocks above the Rusenski Lom River, churches and monk cells were built as far as back in the 12th century. By this time, there were 40 rock temples and around 300 dwellings for monk hermits.

The St. Bogoroditsa Church (or Holy Virgin Church) is the most significant in the whole complex. It is suggested that Tsar Ivan Alexander was the donor and founder of these churches. The church is hewed out in the rock at 38 meters high. And the walls are covered in bright paintings from the time of the Byzantine Renaissance depicting the life of John the Baptist, the hanging of Judas, and the passion of Christ.

The rock churches in Ivanovo are under the protection of UNESCO as a valuable monument of history. You would think it such an important sight would be easy to get to. Well, not in Bulgaria. From Ruse we took a train to the village, only to realize the actual monastery complex was about 5 or 6 kilometers away. Without a single taxi in the village, what else were we to do but start a walking. On the way we happened by some nice people and their huge van who gave us a ride out there. They even asked if we would need a ride back. A ride back! Well, of course. When we were ready, we called, and they came. And that is something I love about Bulgaria, and about Bulgaria's small villages. People are always there ready and willing to help.

(*Note: The girls from left to right...Melody, Kathy, myself, and Becca. Thanks Eric for taking the photo!)