Back

Plan a route here

Monastery · Sofia-City · 985 m

Monastery “Saint Spas”, Lozen

Name: Monastery “Saint Spas”, Lozen
Address: Bulgaria

No ratings (yet)

Responsible for this content
Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Monastery "Saint Spas", Lozen
Photo: Vassia Atanassova, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lozen-monastery-1.JPG#/media/File:Lozen-monastery-1.JPG

The Holy Ascension Monastery, commonly known as St Spas Monastery, is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery situated on the slopes of Lozen Mountain near the village of Lozen. It is one of several historic monasteries associated with the Sofia region and offers both spiritual significance and scenic views. The monastery remains an active religious site and a popular destination for pilgrims and hikers.

The Holy Ascension Monastery is located in the wooded foothills of Lozen Mountain, southeast of Sofia. Dedicated to the Feast of the Ascension of Christ, the monastery forms part of the rich monastic tradition that developed around the Sofia Basin during the medieval period. Like many religious foundations in the region, it experienced periods of decline and renewal throughout its history, particularly during the centuries of Ottoman rule.

The present monastery complex consists of a church and supporting monastic buildings set within a peaceful natural environment. Its location on the mountain slopes reflects the traditional Orthodox preference for secluded settings that encourage contemplation and spiritual retreat. Over the years, the monastery has served as a place of worship, pilgrimage, and local religious celebration. Visitors are drawn not only by its religious heritage but also by the surrounding forests and panoramic views towards the Sofia plain.

Author

Maria Veronese

Responsible for this content
Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Public transport

Lozen can be reached from Sofia by regional bus services and suburban transport connections. Sofia itself is well connected by rail, bus, and air services from across Bulgaria and Europe. From Lozen village, the monastery is accessible on foot, by taxi, or by private vehicle.

Directions

From the centre of Lozen, follow the local roads and marked paths leading towards Lozen Mountain. The monastery is situated above the village and is reached via a forest road and walking trail. Depending on the chosen route, the walk from the village typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes through wooded terrain.

Parking

Parking is available near the access road leading to the monastery. Spaces are limited but generally sufficient for visitors. During religious festivals and feast days, parking demand may be higher, and visitors may need to use roadside parking and continue on foot.

Coordinates

42.588174, 23.522101

DMS

42°35'17.4"N 23°31'19.6"E

UTM

34T 706945 4718167

w3w

///scenes.grimacing.shrug

Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Recommendations nearby

Long Distance Hiking · Bulgaria

ST7 Sultans Trail Section 7: Sofia-Plovdiv-Edirne

recommended route Difficulty T1 moderate Open

Distance 456.9 km

Duration 120:15 h

Ascent 5,058 m

Descent 5,612 m

This route is a Section of the Sultans Trail, an international long-distance hiking trail from Vienna to Istanbul. The hiking route follows ...

No ratings (yet)

from Max Smits, Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Show all on map

User Questions

Don't see what you need here?

Ask a question and get an answer from the author, the official DMO or the community.

No ratings (yet)

Be the first to leave a rating or write a review!

Share your experiences and advice to help millions of people find and plan their next outdoor adventure.

Write a review

Rating submitted

Homepage