The Troyan Monastery

The Troyan Monastery, located about 10 kilometers away from the town of Troyan, is the third largest in Bulgaria. It's not as impressive as the Rila Monastery, but when looking at the frescoes outside the church it's easy to see that they were painted by the same artist. The artist's name, for the record, is Zahari Zograf, and he was Bulgaria's most outstanding, 19th Century religious artist.



The Troyan Monastery dates back to the 15th Century, but the church, pictured below, is from the 19th Century. The most interesting painting inside the building is that of the "three-handed Virgin", where Mary is depicted apparently holding the infant Jesus with more than two hands.



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