Krushtalnyata Caves – Rock‑Hewn Churches of Ivanovo loop from Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
Krushtalnyata Caves – Rock‑Hewn Churches of Ivanovo loop from Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
4.6
(10)
30
hikers
Krushtalnyata Caves – Rock‑Hewn Churches of Ivanovo loop from Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
03:01
11.2km
130m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.
Last updated: May 20, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Природен парк Русенски Лом
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
1.16 km
Gramovets Rock-Hewn Monastery
Highlight • Religious Site
1.17 km
Krushtalnyata Caves
Highlight • Cave
Tip by
1.34 km
God's Gap Cave
Highlight • Cave
Tip by
6.13 km
Bridge Over Rusenski Lom River
Highlight • Bridge
6.32 km
Gramovets Rock Monastery and Shelter
Highlight • Religious Site
Nearby, along the river, to "Smesite", after passing a large collapse, you reach a cave Christian monastery with several floors. Steps carved into the rock lead to a church that is lower than the previous one and is also carefully designed.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
6.66 km
Rock-Hewn Monastery at the Confluence of the Cherni Lom and Beli Lom
Highlight • Religious Site
It shows human processing, which led to the design of its components. The greatest attention was paid to the church and especially to its altar space. The upper part of the steps cut into the rock, leading to a rock platform, has been preserved. Around it, in a tiered manner, with the presence of half-storeys, most of the premises are developed.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
9.13 km
Tortoise Spot
Highlight • Natural
11.1 km
Rock‑Hewn Churches of Ivanovo
Highlight • Religious Site
The monastery was founded in the 20s of the 13th century by the monk Yoakim, who later became a Bulgarian patriarch. The Bulgarian kings Yoan Asen II (1218-1241), Yoan Alexander (1331-1371) and other representatives of the royal court were among the patrons of the monastery and their donor portraits are still preserved.
The monastery combines several areas of rocky spaces. In six of the churches frescoes are conserved, which show features of the Bulgarian religious art of the 13th - 14th century. During the Second Bulgarian Empire (12th-14th c.), The monastery proved to be a great spiritual and literary center. Inscriptions on the walls of the cells provide information about important historical events.
The frescoes in the church "Sveta Bogoroditsa" are world famous. They are among the most representative representatives of paleological art in the Balkans. Their exceptional artistic quality is the reason for their inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In the 14th century, the monastery became the center of Hesychasm - a mystical movement in Orthodox Christianity. The rock formation Ivanovo existed during the first centuries of Ottoman rule, but gradually disintegrated.
In 1978 it was declared a National Archaeological Reserve. Today the monastery is out of order.
Source: Google: Official Tourism Bureau Bulgaria
Translated by Google •
Tip by
11.2 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
8.80 km
1.65 km
689 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
10.1 km
853 m
117 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Friday 3 July
26°C
17°C
80 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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