WHERE IN BULGARIA ARE YOU?
It was founded in the 9th Century by a monk who swallowed herbs and potions to embalm himself while he was still alive. His left arm is still preserved - and the abbot may let you see it on high holidays. In 1943 the last Bulgarian king was buried there. The Communists removed the grave after the end of the Second World War for fear it would become a place of pilgrimage. It is by far the largest Bulgarian monastery, a major tourist attraction in the Southwest. You can even crash there, as a monk will gladly let you hire a room for the night.