This year in July I had several unique visits to Sakar mountain. One of them is Ustrem Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Karakoliovata dupka, which left an beautiful impression and I will tell you about them in this post.
The two sites are located in Sakar mountain, about 3 km. from the Bulgarian village Ustrem.
The monastery is also known as the Haydоuk monastery. It was founded during the Second Bulgarian State.
Its history began in the 8th-9th century when its lands were within the boundaries of Byzantium, and during the Turkish slavery, it was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the monastery was used as a refuge by many outlaws, which is why the other name by which it is known is Hajdush Monastery. Over time, the monastery became the largest spiritual center of the surrounding area.
Until 1909, the monastery was male. Today the monastery is virgin.
The yard we entered was tidy and well maintained - with rich gardens, relaxation areas, fountains with decorative fish, and an animal area.
There is a large stone fountain with pure mountain water.
Residential and farm buildings with antique architecture and decorations can be seen here.
The monastery has 40 beds, and is open to guests all year round. During the Monastery Assembly, which is on June 16, it is visited by people from near and far corners of the country.
The Church of Holy Trinity is a spacious three-aisled, domeless stone church with a vestibule. Many icons, memorial plaques and old printed books are stored here.
On stone stairs, we went down to the ossuary. The bones of the Karakol Chetniks were laid there.
Soon we prepared to climb up to the cave church - called Vehta Church.
Walking there, we enjoyed the unique beauty and tranquility of the area.
We crossed the river Manastirska on a bridge.
We were climbing.
It got steep in places and the trail quite narrow in other places.
Magnificent views of centuries-old forests and alluring rocky slopes unfolded before us.
Cracks were visible in some of the rocks.
Soon the cave was revealed.
The cave is small in size and irregular in shape. There are numerous niches on its walls. Its depth is about 5 m and it is about 4 m high and wide.
It is assumed that the beginning of the Ustrem Monastery was established here. That is why the cave is also called the Old Monastery. According to reports, in the 8th-9th century, many Christians gathered here for prayer.
From the cave inward begins a narrow gallery from which water gushed in the past. It is supposed to have been a Thracian sanctuary because of the water springing from it. Today this spring has dried up.
Pure energy and calm flowed from the place. We enjoyed.
The Ustrem Monastery with the Karakoliovata dupka have been declared cultural monuments.
Sourses: drumivdumi.com | bulgarianmonastery.com | bulgariansanctuaries.com
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