Monastery of St Joakim Osogovski
Monastery of St Joakim Osogovski
Monastery of St Joakim Osogovski
4.5
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4.5
33 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
6
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Soccca
Tolmin, Slovenia1,806 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
A wonderful monastery in a rather remote place. The monastery has a very beautiful exterior and it reminded me a bit of the Rila Monastery. The interior is also very beautiful, it is decorated with wonderful frescoes, the surroundings are also very nice.
Written 20 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
map&camera
Sofia, Bulgaria468 contributions
Oct 2016 • Friends
The Osogovo monastery is beautifully situated among the mountains, near Kriva Palanka and very close to the Bulgarian border. It is very easy to find (there are road signs) and to reach by car. There are two orthodox churches, one of them dating from 19th century and the smaller one is from 12th century. It's a pity almost none of the original frescoes in the older church survived. There is a spring with healing water inside. The newer and bigger church features beautiful wall-paintings and an impressive ceiling. There is also a hotel facility inside the monastery. Altogether, a peaceful and holy place.
Written 30 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlene Z
Varna, Bulgaria58 contributions
Sept 2016 • Family
We stopped by to this place on our way to Skopje. It is near the town of Kriva Palanka and can be easily reached by car /there is a map and sign on the main road/. The monastery itself is quite big and well-preserved - few churches, a graveyard, a souvenir shop, a parking lot and accommodation area. We left our car down near the main gate and we went walking. The view is absolutely gorgeous, nature, mountains, trees, fresh air all around. Peaceful....it is good for taking rest. There are some natural springs near the main church and you can drink refreshing cold water.
Written 13 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kumanovo
Kumanovo, Republic of North Macedonia23 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Two beautiful orthodox churches with magnificent fresques situated in peaceful and clean surrounding. It is an amazing place that offers tranquility, peacefulness and nature unity. The name of the bigger church is “Saint Joachim” and the smaller is called “Holy Mother of God”. By the church there is a bell tower.
It is near the city Kriva Palanka. You can get there by car or on foot. It takes half an hour walking in a splendid and tranquil forest. I recommend walking in order to feel the atmosphere of harmony and the beauties of the fascinating nature.
If you want to stay and relax in the splendid nature there are rooms for rent in the dormitories.
It is near the city Kriva Palanka. You can get there by car or on foot. It takes half an hour walking in a splendid and tranquil forest. I recommend walking in order to feel the atmosphere of harmony and the beauties of the fascinating nature.
If you want to stay and relax in the splendid nature there are rooms for rent in the dormitories.
Written 5 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikolai M
Sofia, Bulgaria2,631 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Just 3 km from the main road (which is in very bad condition, unfortunately).
The Legend of Saint Joakim Osogovsky shows that during the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnin (1143-1180) the priest Theodor (with monk name Theophan) founded the monastery and buried the relics of the Saint Joakim in the monastery church. For the first time monastery is mentioned during the reign of Bulgarian tsar Kaloyan (1196-1207). The Karlovac chronicle (1505) mentions that Serbian king Stephen II of Milutin (1282-1321) has built a church dedicated to St. Joakim. In 1762 the monastery was abandoned for unknown reasons, and the relics of St. Joachim were lost. The Ottoman authorities did not allow it to be restored for a long time. The construction of the great monastery church started in 1847 with the help of Hadji Stefan Mladenov from Kriva Palanka. The church is illuminated in 1851. The temple was built for four years by the prominent master Andrey Damianov-Zografski. The frescoes were painted by Dimitar Padradiski, who worked here many times from 1884 to 1945. It is assumed that the little church "Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God" was built at the end of the 11th century. The iconostasis preserves two remarkable icons, probably painted by Hristo Dimitrov, the founder of the Samokov painting school. The church has a spring - holy water.
The Legend of Saint Joakim Osogovsky shows that during the Byzantine Emperor Manuel Komnin (1143-1180) the priest Theodor (with monk name Theophan) founded the monastery and buried the relics of the Saint Joakim in the monastery church. For the first time monastery is mentioned during the reign of Bulgarian tsar Kaloyan (1196-1207). The Karlovac chronicle (1505) mentions that Serbian king Stephen II of Milutin (1282-1321) has built a church dedicated to St. Joakim. In 1762 the monastery was abandoned for unknown reasons, and the relics of St. Joachim were lost. The Ottoman authorities did not allow it to be restored for a long time. The construction of the great monastery church started in 1847 with the help of Hadji Stefan Mladenov from Kriva Palanka. The church is illuminated in 1851. The temple was built for four years by the prominent master Andrey Damianov-Zografski. The frescoes were painted by Dimitar Padradiski, who worked here many times from 1884 to 1945. It is assumed that the little church "Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God" was built at the end of the 11th century. The iconostasis preserves two remarkable icons, probably painted by Hristo Dimitrov, the founder of the Samokov painting school. The church has a spring - holy water.
Written 18 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel K
District of Columbia1,054 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
It is a small Monastery on a deep mountain.
No very crowded, but much better than other busy Monastery. Loved this Monastery.
No very crowded, but much better than other busy Monastery. Loved this Monastery.
Written 5 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
735PLR
Sitges, Spain998 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
The monastry is quite a drive up a mountain road, drive with caution as there are some quite sharp bends which climb at the same time, although it is in Macedonia it is quite near to the Bulgarian border.
There are 2 churches here, 1 from the 12th century and the other from 19th. It is set amongst trees and hills and enjoys a peaceful spot. I was glad to see it not overrun with tourists, I think though Macedonia is only at the beginning of exploting its jewels to the outside world. Now is the time to visit.
There are 2 churches here, 1 from the 12th century and the other from 19th. It is set amongst trees and hills and enjoys a peaceful spot. I was glad to see it not overrun with tourists, I think though Macedonia is only at the beginning of exploting its jewels to the outside world. Now is the time to visit.
Written 17 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
radisanci
Kansas City, MO47 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
When temperature grow up in cities in Macedonia recomend for me is to go there.Orthodocs church from past time is unforgetable.
Written 24 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
אילן ד
3 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
A magnificent place. one and a half hours from skopje. Worth the travel for the view and the church. Green mountains all arounf
Written 14 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TokkiPower
Dobrich, Bulgaria51 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Pretty straightforward - monastery, a hotel and other buildings. Amaziing views. The road to there is quite scary- many turns and it is hard to pass other cars.
Recommend it.
Recommend it.
Written 18 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi everybody! I am planning to visit monastery. How i can buy a ticket bus by ATP Proleter from Skopje to Kriva Palanka? At a Skopje bus station? Or at driver? And return ticket? Also at station in Kriva Palanka or driver? Thanks a lot!
Written 20 April 2022
Would like to visit monastery. Is there a way to get there by public transport from Skopje? thanks
Written 30 July 2018
There is a bus from Skopje to Kriva Palanka (ATP Proleter). from there it's about 4 km to the monastery.
Written 30 July 2018
Hi I am planning to bring a group of elderly people to see the Monastery in October 2018. Is it possible to have a guided tour and is it possible to bring the bus up to the Monastery as not many of the group would be able to walk 30 mins uphill. Thank you
Written 1 November 2017
I have the same question....is there a way to tour the monastery without the walk uphill?
Written 4 November 2017
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