Maryanski monastery The Holy Transfiguration

In village of Maryan (4km east direction from town of Elena) is located the Maryanski monastery "The Holy Transfiguration". It was built on the site of another monastery that existed during VIII - IX century. The evidences for this are 6 column capitals found there. 4 of them are kept in the National Museum of History - Sofia, and two in the monastery.

The monastery church was built in 1835. During the excavation were revealed foundations of an old Christian church, in whose altar was found a marble sarcophagus with human remains, gospel and a crown. The discovery led some researchers to the idea this is the tomb of the Bulgarian King Boris I. According to other sources, the sister of King Shishman - queen Mara, travelling for Constantinople to become the wife of Sultan Murad, remained in the monastery and after the death of the Sultan she has returned in this region and the village of Maryan is named named after her.

The nowadays monastery is active since 1992. In its temple, which is one of the largest and most beautiful in Elena clerical district, can be seen icons made by the old masters from Tryavna art school.