Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity (Sveta Troitsa)

The founding of the Sveta Troitsa Monastery is dated to 1070, although other theories name Patriarch Evtimiy (1325-1403) and Tsar Ivan Shishman (1371-1395) as its builders, which also explains its alternative name, Patriarchal or Shishman Monastery. Under Evtimiy as abbot, the monastery developed into a center of the Tarnovo Literary School and maintained its importance even after his election as patriarch in 1375. The monastery church, built in 1847 by Master Kolyo Fitcheto and adorned with icons by Zahari Zograf, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1913. Some valuable icons, including the Trinity icon from 1708, were saved. In 1927, it was rebuilt in its current form. Originally a monastery for monks, it was converted into a nunnery in 1946. Also noteworthy are the medieval caves in the rock, which served as monastic cells and chapels, as well as Roman monuments from Nicopolis ad Istrum found in the chancel and narthex.

The Sveta Troitsa Monastery is located at approximately 245 meters above sea level in the Veliko Tarnovo region, Bulgaria, near the city of Veliko Tarnovo.

Visitors can explore the monastery today. It continues to function as an active nunnery and offers insights into its long history and religious significance.

• Trapezitsa Fortress (Fortress), approx. 4.6 km away
• Tsarevets Fortress (Царевец) (Fortress), approx. 5.1 km away
• Ancient City of Nicopolis ad Istrum (Ancient Buildings), approx. 10.5 km away
• Batoshevo Uspenie Bogorodichno Monastery (Assumption of Mary) (Sacred Building), approx. 53.4 km away