Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
4.5
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4.5
147 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
38
Average
14
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2
Terrible
1
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Ileana G
California15 contributions
July 2022 • Friends
Rather a marketing gimmick. The old town they tout is rather sadseeing so many abandoned buildigs. There seems to be little investment in the region as i found out by talking to the locals. They have big difficulties to make a living. Hotels are rather looking unchanged from communist era. The big park and the bridge are not maintained. I really hope the town will see better daysad the lives of the people living in it will improve
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cruiser08381859866
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
The indications are almost not legible, that on Reservation, very austere people limit not nice. We went down the wrong road and didn't see anything. The watchdog kindly told us to leave their private parking lot... It was enough to close their gate... Yet it looked very beautiful to see...
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Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nik R
Varna, Bulgaria6,654 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
Preobrazhenski manastir (how it is pronounced in Bulgarian) is the fourth biggest monastery in Bulgaria. The church is quite small but it has beautiful murals, including the famous "Wheel of Life", made by the famous Bulgarian artist Zahari Zograf. Some of the buildings were built by the famous master builder "Usta" Kolyo Ficheto.
It was extremely depressing to see that many of the buildings were ruined and in desperate need of repair except the church and the belfry.
Another drawback was the lady selling candles in the church. Firstly, she told my wife to remove her head cover, and second, her cousin called her on her cell phone and all the time we were in the church she was talking very loudly. As a person, working in an ecclesiastical institution, she must know the canon that women, unlike men, (may) enter churches and monasteries with their heads covered.
Beside the church, the other gorgeous thing is the view - the rocks of the plateau around the monastery and in the distance is visible the "Holy Trinity" monastery (which I liked much, much better than this one).
Back in 1991, something, which was considered a miracle, happened - huge rock mass broke away from the plateau above and fell straight onto the church. The biggest rock hit the belfry and split in two thus saving the church.
The monastery is easily reachable by car as the road has been very well repaired.
It was extremely depressing to see that many of the buildings were ruined and in desperate need of repair except the church and the belfry.
Another drawback was the lady selling candles in the church. Firstly, she told my wife to remove her head cover, and second, her cousin called her on her cell phone and all the time we were in the church she was talking very loudly. As a person, working in an ecclesiastical institution, she must know the canon that women, unlike men, (may) enter churches and monasteries with their heads covered.
Beside the church, the other gorgeous thing is the view - the rocks of the plateau around the monastery and in the distance is visible the "Holy Trinity" monastery (which I liked much, much better than this one).
Back in 1991, something, which was considered a miracle, happened - huge rock mass broke away from the plateau above and fell straight onto the church. The biggest rock hit the belfry and split in two thus saving the church.
The monastery is easily reachable by car as the road has been very well repaired.
Written 3 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gladfly
New Castle, NH1,002 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
We drove up from town and it's only a 10-minute drive. We read that you could walk this either by road or through the woods on trails. Thank goodness we drove cause the walk by the road is dangerous with no sidewalk and the trail was overgrown and hard to find unless you had a GPS and not all the trails led back to the town we were told by our hotel! Driving up the side road to the monastery is filled with potholes and the road only big enough for one car...drive slowly. Once there the parking can be a little crazy...we went on the holiday last weekend. The place is falling down but still beautiful! The views out along the cliffs spectacular. A quiet sanctuary of the past trying to hold on. We were told that there are still monks living there. Don't miss the wheel of life on the main building. There are some nice benches in the shade to sit and reflet.
Written 26 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TNNKY
Province of Munster, Ireland1,287 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
Located approx 8km from Veliko Tarnova, to the left off the e85 road to Ruse, and near to the village of Samovodene you will find the turn off for this Monastery.
The road to the Monastery once you turn off the main road is narrow, twisty and pothole ridden, but if you drive with care it is not a problem.
Its a very quaint place and is free from the tourist traps and stalls. There is a great sense of peace there.
The buildings are not in great condition though some remedial work is in progress.
It is very interesting roaming around the various yards and buildings where life seems to have come to a standstill many years ago as indicated by the old carts and implements left lying around....and the graveyard.
Have a look at the large fresco of the day of judgement and admire the view.
It is well worth a visit even if you are not into monasteries.
The road to the Monastery once you turn off the main road is narrow, twisty and pothole ridden, but if you drive with care it is not a problem.
Its a very quaint place and is free from the tourist traps and stalls. There is a great sense of peace there.
The buildings are not in great condition though some remedial work is in progress.
It is very interesting roaming around the various yards and buildings where life seems to have come to a standstill many years ago as indicated by the old carts and implements left lying around....and the graveyard.
Have a look at the large fresco of the day of judgement and admire the view.
It is well worth a visit even if you are not into monasteries.
Written 5 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian A
Ipoh, Malaysia241 contributions
Aug 2019
This was our third Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria and the smallest. The first monastery on the site was in the 11th Century. It was destroyed by the Ottomans. The present buildings date from the 1830.s and the church some 20 years later. There are no monks living there these days but they live in the town and at least one visits daily, keeping the place operating for religious services.
The whole place is peaceful with plenty of space to rest and meditate. Apart from the odd tourist or two the only inhabitants are cats - many of them.
The paintings ob the outside of the church are in good condition and one should stop and view the meaningful "Circle of Life". Internally the church has beatiful murals and gold plated icons to enjoy.
For the younger folk there is a bell tower to climb, but be careful as the steps are not too even and there is no guardrail.
Do visit if you are in the area. It is worth a couple of hours of your time.
The whole place is peaceful with plenty of space to rest and meditate. Apart from the odd tourist or two the only inhabitants are cats - many of them.
The paintings ob the outside of the church are in good condition and one should stop and view the meaningful "Circle of Life". Internally the church has beatiful murals and gold plated icons to enjoy.
For the younger folk there is a bell tower to climb, but be careful as the steps are not too even and there is no guardrail.
Do visit if you are in the area. It is worth a couple of hours of your time.
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bambi12345
185 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Though you get a nice view, the place is small. Also, for some reason you are required to pay a fee to enter the church.
Don't go there unless it's on your way.
Don't go there unless it's on your way.
Written 11 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne I
london187 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
THis is a small, simple monastery (in use) at a wonderful peaceful site at the base of cliffs high above the river. The painted external walls of the church are wonderful.
You can take a taxi or walk up from no,10 bus stop on the road below. But we walked leaving VT by the Harmony Guesthouse above the Samovodska complex and following the red waymarks northwards following the line of the river far below. AFter the monastery, it is difficult to find the start of the path. It is to the right off the well. After about 10metres, it is clear again.
You can take a taxi or walk up from no,10 bus stop on the road below. But we walked leaving VT by the Harmony Guesthouse above the Samovodska complex and following the red waymarks northwards following the line of the river far below. AFter the monastery, it is difficult to find the start of the path. It is to the right off the well. After about 10metres, it is clear again.
Written 27 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristina I
Bucharest, Romania17 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
This place is worth a visit for the great view. It can have been a little bit more organized.
I did not like the toilets as they were not clean at all.
I did not like the toilets as they were not clean at all.
Written 27 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quinn W
12 contributions
June 2016 • Friends
Many of the buildings have fallen into severe disrepair and show few signs of getting the attention they need. On the one hand this gives the place a serene and slightly spooky feel, and abandoned buildings are always interesting. On the other hand, I worry that they won't last too much longer, and about half the complex might not be here for future generations to enjoy.
Written 9 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adryannaaa
Sofia, Bulgaria
How can one get from Veliko Tarnovo to the Preobrazhenski manastir by taking the ecotrail? Where does the hiking trail begin? Thanks!
Written 12 April 2015
Hi, The ecotrail is starting from the Kartala hill, which is at the end of the big quarter, named the same way. It is in the north part of the town. Walking this trail is real pleasure, because the terrain is easy and very picturesque. There are several small waterfalls crossing the small forest. The whole distance is no more 3 km. I love it. .
I was helped with this information by Desi at Tarnava Hotel in VT. I have to say that I think it is the best place to stay in VT if you are an independent traveller.
Written 13 April 2015
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