How to get to the monastery

These monastery is about 11 kilometres south of Ruse, easy to reach by car. There's a bus connection as well. Find the timetable here. Buses leave from Ruse's East Bus Station. Find it in Google Maps by searching 'Bus Station East Ruse'. Once in Basarbovo, the monastery is just outside the village, on the Southeastern border. It's possible to walk there. The monastery does not offer accommodation.

From October to March, the monastery is open from 8:00 to 17:00.

From April to September, it's open from 8:00 to 19:00. 

The temple's yearly celebration is on October 26th. 

 

Learn about its history

Situated near the Rusenski Lom river, this monastery is hewn into the rocks. I am honestly not sure what kind of rock it is but it looks like limestone, which is known to be hewn relatively easily. It was founded during the era of the Second Bulgarian Empire, yet its first mentioning was in an Ottoman register of 1431. As the name says, the most important inhabitant of the monastery was St. Dimitar Basarovski. He spent his entire life on the monastery grounds. His remains were transferred to the Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest, where they are still located upto today.

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It's said that there was a flood in 1940, destroying a part of the complex. The monk Hrisant, then living in the monastery, collected donations and rebuilt a part of it. The monastery used to have a bone-vault, nowadays the remains have been buried at the monastery and the vault is turned into an exhibition room. Interestingly, it is said that Barabovski Monastery is the only active rock monastery in the country.

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Milkovata Guesthouse - Koshov village

An excellent place to stay - south of Ruse, near the Ivanovo Rock Churches and Rusenski Lom National Park. Close to the Basarbovski Monastery as well. Surrounded by nature. The place offers meals. I genuinely enjoyed reading a book on the quiet balcony on the first floor. Such a wonderfully designed guesthouse, in an old atmosphere. You may read more about the place here.

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This region is in the central north of Bulgaria and there's plenty to see for a vacation on its own. Ruse, Rusenski Lom National Park, Veliko Tarnovo, Razgrad and Shumen are all relatively nearby. I can recommend Silistra as well, even though it's a bit farther.