Gornovodenski monastery Sv.Sv.Kirik and Julita
The monastery St. Kirik and Julita (aka Gornovodenski monastery) is situated south-west of town of Asenovgrad (district of "Gorni Voden"), in the middle of beautiful broad-leaved forest, in the north slopes of Rodopes Mountain. It is the largest monastery in Rhodopes mountain.
History:
There are evidences that the monastery had existed since the middle ages (4th century). In its existence it has been repeatedly destroyed and restored. In the middle of the XIX-th century, during the struggles for national independence, the Church and the monastery came under Greek control and was returned to the Bulgarian Church in the XX century (1930). In the period 1943-1944 the monastery was used as a concentration camp named after St. Kirik. In its current form, the monastery exists since XIX-th century (1819).
The monastery complex consists of a church St.Petka and massive two-storey buildings around it. The church dates back to 1850 and was built on the model of Bachkovo "Church of the Assumption". It is large three-hall, one-dome temple with a narthex. The frescoes in the church are mainly by the painter Alexi Atanasov but there are also icons painted by Zahari Zograf. About 500 metres east of the main complex is located in the Holy chapel "St. St. Kirik and Julita" and the sacred healing spring yazmo)
Today monastery offers also hotel accommodations and welcomes guests and lovers of religious tourism.
