Some of the best views of our quaint little town can be found from the highest inhabited street, where the Saint Ana Monastery proudly stands. Locally, we fondly refer to this spot as "the grandfather's hill." To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of the origin of the name, but I can assure you that the journey up is absolutely worth it.
The ascent is rather steep, but if you're up for a bit of cardio, the walk is undeniably rewarding. If hiking isn't your cup of tea, fear not; you can easily drive to the summit of the hill via a well-maintained road.
The history of this "holy place" dates back to 1936 when the road was paved and the construction of the monastery commenced. By 1939, everything was in place. Originally designed as a monastery for nuns, it served this purpose until...
Well, not quite, because in 1945, the communists took control of the location and transformed it into a restaurant. Communists weren't particularly fond of religion, especially the Orthodox faith in this case, so they repurposed the establishment as an eatery.
Since 1990, the entire site has been reestablished as a monastery, thanks to the fall of the communist regime in late 1989. Since then, the monastery has evolved into a recognized spiritual sanctuary.
As you can see in the following pictures, the front of the building is adorned with an array of vibrant flowers, and the wooden structure of the church provides an excellent subject for photography. Additionally, the view from the rear side of the monastery is truly breathtaking.
While I can't confirm the exact number of nuns residing there, one thing's for sure—they have no financial worries. They sell a variety of "orthodox merchandise," including sandwiches and Coca-Cola. I highly doubt that economic recessions will ever reach this haven, perhaps because the hill is just too steep for them.
But enough with the sarcasm; it's time to share the pictures I captured during my visit. I've already pinned several places on the Pinmapple map, but this is the first one from my hometown. I hope you enjoy the photographs, and until next time, take care!
Thanks for your attention,
Adrian
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