Kapinovo Monastery of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker is nestled at the foothill of the Fore-Balkan Massif, near the banks of the Veselina River. Built in the distant 1272, this holy place is part of the complex known as Tsars’ Monasteries, located in close proximity to the old capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire – the city of Veliko Tarnovo.
The monastery church dates back to the end of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th century, and houses a unique scene of the Last Judgement, a fine example of Bulgarian Revival painting. The icons and the wooden iconostasis with carved elements, made by painters and woodcarvers from the famous Tryavna School, are also emblematic achievements of medieval art. The dormitory, built with donations from the brothers and future monks Theodosius and Kessarius Horozovski, will strike you with its unique architectural beauty. The monastery was used as refuge by many participants and leaders of the Bulgarian struggles against the Turkish invaders, and still keeps the memory of the patriotic spirit of the time.
References:Duino Castle was built by the Wallsee family in 1389 on the cliffs overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. It replaced an older castle from the 11th century. Over time, the Wallsee family disappeared and the castle, after having been used as a prison, became the residence of the Luogar and Hofer.
At the end of the 19th century it became the property of Prince Alexander von Thurn und Taxis from the Czech branch of the House of Thurn and Taxis. It remains with the family to this day with his great-grandson Prince Carlo Alessandro della Torre e Tasso, Duke of Castel Duino the current owner. The castle has been opened to the public as a museum and park.