"Holy Trinity" monastery of Novo selo

The monastery "Holy Trinity" (nunnery) in "Novo selo" (hamlet of Apriltsi) is relatively small. The complex consists of a one-domed church and a chapel "St.Ivan Rilski".

It was founded in 1830 as a family monastery and its first inhabitants were 40 nuns from the neighboring villages. 

The monastery has a rich history. In 1831, there was brought the first printed edition from the Rila Monastery.

Novo Selo Monastery plays a major role in the national struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. During the April Uprising in 1876 there arrived detachment of Tcanko Dyustabanov. They lead heavy fighting with the Turkish army. The Turks were expelled and there was declared Free republic, which unfortunately lasted only 9 days. To the bashibazouks and Circassians were joined troops from Pleven and the rebels were defeated. The turks destroyed and incinerated the villages in the vicinity - Novo Selo , Vidima, Ostrets and Zla reka (nowadays neighborhoods of the town of Apriltsi). The monastery was burned too. Most of the nuns and the priest Georgi Hristov, who maintain the defence of the monastery were savagely slaughtered.

Even today in the chapel behind the church, which was turned into a small museum, are kept the remains of the victims of unprecedented cruelty. 

The present monastery was built after the Liberation with volunteer labor and donations of people from villages around.

The monastery "Holy Trinity" is declared monument of culture. In present times (2006) it is managed by the municipality and is open for visits.