Roženski manastir (Rožen monastery), view of monastery from west
Rožen (Rozhen), Bulgaria
Rožen monastery is located in southwest Bulgaria close to the village of Rožen and Melnik in the Pirin Mountains. It was founded in the early 13th century and the church is dedicated to the birth of Mary (Roždestvo Bogorodično). Important 13th and 15th century manuscripts were created in the monastery. The monastery was damaged by fire in the 17th centuries when the library was destroyed; a few of the church frescoes dating from the 16th century survived. The konak structures date from the 18th-century (post-fire) rebuilding of the monastery. (photo 1994)
