The Zemen monastery of St Joan Bogoslov is located in the valley of the Struma River in Konyovska Mountain, near Zemen defile, 1 km south-west of the town of Zemen. The monastery was founded in XI century and is one of the oldest and most valuable Bulgarian cultural monuments.
The complex consists of a church, bell tower and two buildings. The monastery church dates back to the foundation of the monastery and was restored in 1354. With its length of 9.18 m. , width of 8.71 meters, height of 7 meters (11.20 with the dome) and almost cubic shape, the church is a remarkable monument of Bulgarian medieval architecture. The floor is covered with colored stone and antique bricks and the dome was built of stone and stands on a high cylindrical construction.
Besides its interesting architecture, the church is also famous for its precious ancient mural paintings and frescoes of biblical scenes from the XIV century. It is also the home of one of the oldest mural paintings of the famous Bulgarian saint Ivan Rilski. Like in the Boyana church here are kept painted portraits of Bulgarian nobility, among who are the despot Dejan Drago and his wife Doya.
Zemen church is declared monument of Bulgarian culture and architecture and the Zemen Monastery is transformed to branch of the National History Museum.
town Zemen
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Zemen monastery of St Joan Bogoslov