Fodor's Expert Review Preobrazhenski Monastery

Eight kilometers (5 miles) from Veliko Tarnovo, just outside the village of Samovodene, is this beautiful Eastern Orthodox monastery. From Veliko Tarnovo, you can hike here in about an hour and a half. The monastery was originally built in the 14th century but, like so many churches, was burnt down by invading Ottomans. It was rebuilt in the 1830s, designed by Bulgarian National Revival architect Kolyu Ficheto. The stunning frescoes and icons that cover the monastery's interior are the handiwork of Zahari Zograf, perhaps Bulgaria's most famous National Revival artist. Preobrazhenski Monastery sits on a hill, surrounded by trees and overlooking the Yantra Gorge.