The first Christian monastery in Europe- Zlatna livada/Bulgaria/2023/

The first Christian monastery in Europe - Zlatna livada/Bulgaria Златна ливада – манастир Св. Атанасий Велики The monastery “St. Athanasius” is situated on a hill above the village of Zlatna Livada, at a distance of about 15 km from Chirpan. It is believed to be the oldest monastery in Europe, according to historical evidence Saint Athanasius, Archbishop of Alexandria had personally established the monastery in 344. He had visited the Bulgarian lands in relation to the Universal Gathering in Serdika in 343 – 344. According to his biography, he had lived near Beroe (today’s Stara Zagora) and founded the monastery. The place for construction of the monastery had not been chosen accidentally – the holy monastery was once situated near an important road between Constantinople and Serdika. also, there was an important fortress above the monastery, the remains of which can be seen to the present day. There was a Thracian nymph sanctuary nearby – a sanctuary dedicated to nymphs, which was turned by