The Troyan Monastery "Holy Virgin" is situated in the northern folds of the Troyan Balkan (Central Stara Planina), on the left bank of the Cherni Osam River. It is 10 km south-east of Troyan, between the villages of Oreshak and Cherni Osam. There is a marked tourist route from the town of Troyan to the Monastery (about 4 hours).
The Troyan Monastery is the third biggest in Bulgaria and the third in significance as well. It was created at the end of the 15th century but the first written information about it was preserved from the 17th century. The monastery church is of main interest here as it was built by master Konstantin from Peshtera in 1835. Zakhari Zograph (1849) painted the mural paintings in it. The carved wood iconostasis, work of a master from Tryavna (1839) is distinguished with genuine artistic qualities. The wood carving in the St. Nikola Monastery Chapel, created by Senior Monk Kipriyan in 1794 is amazing, too. The Monastery is famous for its miracle-working icon "Holy Virgin Troerouchitsa". It was a renowned literary centre, too and nowadays it is in possession of a rich and valuable library. During the time of the struggles for national freedom Troyan Monastery was a genuine revolutionary nest. All the monks took part in the revolutionary committee headed by the well-known Father Makarii. The Apostle of Freedom - Vassil Levski often came here, too. One of his trusted men was his courier Father David from the village of Vratsa (Stefanovo), senior monk and later on Father Superior of the Monastery. The room he hid in has been turned into a museum.