Kokalyane (Кокаляне) Monastery

The origins of the Kokalyane Monastery date back to the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1393). It was destroyed during the Ottoman invasion but rebuilt in the 14th century. Until the 19th century, the monastery was repeatedly subjected to attacks and looting. The current church was rebuilt in 1898, with only a stone inscription remaining from the original church. The building complex includes the church, chapels, residential and agricultural buildings, and a bell tower added in 2000. The monastery houses the 16th-century Kokalyan Collection and relics associated with Tsar Ivan Shishman, the last medieval Bulgarian ruler. It is recognized as a national cultural monument and celebrates two main feast days: November 8th for Archangel Michael and August 15th for Saint Mary.

The Kokalyane Monastery is situated at an elevation of approximately 860 meters above sea level, near the village of Kokalyane in the Sofia City district, within the Sofia City region in Bulgaria.