Location:
The Osenovlak or else called Sedemte Prestola (i.e. the Seven Altars) monastery lies in a charming part of the Balkan mountains at the foot of the Izmerets peak. The monastery, bearing the religious name of Our Lady, was built in the beautiful valley of the medium-sized Gabrovnitsa river, in the skirts of the Northern Balkans. As the distance between the city of Sofia and the monastery is about 86km, Sedemte Prestola is a popular destination for a weekend trip out of the city.
About the monastery:
Even if the monastery’s origin is hard to time exactly, historians agree that it dates back to the Second Bulgarian State that ended with Bulgaria’s fall under Ottoman rule at the end of the 14th century. Some historians go further to claim that the cloister was built during the rule of Peter Delyan, king of Western Bulgaria (including not only the Sofia and Vidin regions but also the entire Northern part of the country). It was built close to a Roman fortress, few remains of which (i.e. a part of the stone wall) can still be seen if one takes a signed but steep path from the monastery. Interestingly, the monastery’s gate (kept to date) was in fact taken from that very Roman fortress.
