Dryanovski Monastery

For centuries the Dryanovo Monastery “St. Archangel Michael” has been one of the centers of development of the Bulgarian Christianity and culture, and nowadays it continues to attract worshipers and tourists. The Monastery is situated at a distance of about 6 km from the town of Dryanovo, on the road to the town of Gabrovo.
The Dryanovo Monastery was established in the 12th century during the time of Tsar Kaloyan (1168– 1207). For the first time the monastery was built 2 km from the place where it is situated now. In 1393 the Ottoman Turks burned it down to ashes; in 16th century the local people restored it on the other bank of the river, but this time the holy monastery was also demolished.