The Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo are a group of churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely different from other monastery complexes in Bulgaria, located near the village of Ivanovo, 20 km south of Ruse, on the high rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom, 32 m above the river. The complex is noted for its beautiful and well-preserved frescoes.
The caves in the region had been inhabited by monks from the 13th to the 17th century, where they hewed cells, churches and chapels out of solid rock. At the peak of the monastery complex, the number of churches was about 40, while the other premises were around 300, most of which are not preserved until today.
The monastery complex owes much of its fame to 13th and 14th century frescoes, preserved in 5 of the churches, which are thought of us wonderful examples of Bulgarian mediaeval art.
Second Bulgarian Empire rulers such as Ivan Alexander and Ivan Asen II frequently made donations to the complex, as evidenced by donor portraits in some of the churches.
The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
