Back

Plan a route here

Monastery · Plovdiv · 343 m

Monastery "St. George" (11th), Belashtitsa

No ratings (yet)

Responsible for this content
Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Belashtitsa Monastery “Sveti Velikomachenik Georgi Pobedonosets”, St George 11
Photo: Gitanes232, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BelashtinskiManastir-StGeorgeChurch011.jpg#/media/File:BelashtinskiManastir-StGeorgeChurch011.jpg

Belashtitsa Monastery “St. George” is a historic Eastern Orthodox monastery situated on the northern slopes of the Rhodope Mountains near Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Traditionally dated to the early 11th century, it is associated with Byzantine military commander Nikephoros Xiphias and the aftermath of the Battle of Kleidion in 1014. Today, it remains an active monastic complex and a place of local religious significance.

According to tradition, the monastery was founded in 1020 by Nikephoros Xiphias following the Byzantine victory over the forces of Tsar Samuel. After the battle, Emperor Basil II is said to have rewarded Xiphias with governance of the Philippopolis region, where he subsequently established the monastery. Local legend also connects the surrounding settlement to relocated captives from Samuel’s army, who are believed to have contributed to the formation of nearby villages in the fertile plains beneath the Rhodopes.

The present complex includes a church, chapel, and residential monastic buildings, reflecting centuries of continuous religious use and adaptation. Within the courtyard stands a stone fountain dating from 1831, fed by a spring traditionally regarded as having healing properties and considered one of the monastery’s most valued features. Nearby are also ruins attributed to a fortress-palace associated with Nikephoros Xiphias, reinforcing the site’s layered historical landscape that combines Byzantine, medieval, and later monastic heritage.

Author

Maria Veronese

Responsible for this content
Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Public transport

Belashtitsa can be reached from Plovdiv, which is the nearest major transport hub and is well connected to Sofia and other Bulgarian cities by train and bus. From Plovdiv, regional buses and taxis provide onward travel towards Belashtitsa village, although public transport services may be limited in frequency. Visitors often rely on taxis or private transfers for direct access to the monastery.

Directions

From Plovdiv city centre, travel south-west towards the foothills of the Rhodope Mountains in the direction of Belashtitsa village. The monastery is located on the northern slopes above the settlement and is typically reached via village roads leading uphill from the centre. Final access involves short local roads and clearly visible monastery buildings within a landscaped compound.

Parking

Parking is available in the vicinity of the monastery, generally in informal roadside areas near the entrance. There are no large dedicated parking facilities, but visitors are usually able to park within a short walking distance of the complex. During peak visiting hours or religious occasions, spaces may be limited, and arriving earlier in the day is advisable.

Coordinates

42.056158, 24.743613

DMS

42°03'22.2"N 24°44'37.0"E

UTM

35T 313290 4658474

w3w

///next.cylindrical.hesitant

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