Bulgaria-03048 - Inside the Main Church “The Nativity of the Virgin” by archer10 (Dennis) off

PLEASE,NO invitations or self promotion in your comments, THEY WILL BE DELETED. My photos are FREE for anyone to use, just give me credit and it would be nice if you let me know, thanks - NONE OF MY PICTURES ARE HDR. The main church of the monastery was erected in the middle of the 19th century. Its architect is Pavel Ioanov, who worked on it from 1834 to 1837. The church has five domes, three altars and two side chapels, while one of the most precious items inside is the gold-plated iconostasis, famous for its wood-carving, the creation of which took five years to four handicraftsmen. The frescoes, finished in 1846, are the work of many masters. The church is also home to many valuable icons, dating from the 14th to the 19th century. The church preserves the coffin, under the red covering, with the relics of founder of the monastery St. Ivan of Rila.