Sandanski, Bulgaria

The Rozhen Monastery is one of the largest medieval monasteries preserved. It is believed that it was founded in 890, with the donations of people from neighboring places. In the 16^th century the monastery was in its heyday - the south wing and the main monastery church adorned with frescoes were built then. After a fire in the 17^th century, the monastery was almost destroyed. It was restored in the 18^thcentury with the financial support of wealthy Bulgarians and it was fully completed in 1732. Extremely valuable work of art, located in the temple is the Great Virgin Mary Icon - an exact copy of the miraculous icon Virgin Mary – Portarnitsa. In the church "Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno" interesting icons are "Virgin Mary of Tenderness," "St. Peter and St. Paul," "Christ Pantocrator" and others. Temple's holyday is on September 14 - Krastovden.