{"id":14344,"date":"2023-02-05T18:53:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-05T18:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/bgdv_listing\/osmar-eye-monastery\/"},"modified":"2025-06-18T15:59:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T15:59:17","slug":"osmar-eye-monastery","status":"publish","type":"bgdv_listing","link":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/osmar-eye-monastery\/","title":{"rendered":"The Eye of Osmar and Kostadin Monastery"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2><strong>Episode BG35. The Eye of Osmar and Kostadin Monastery<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Hello, Bulgaria! \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddec<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"640\">The Eye of Osmar and Kostadin Rock Monastery are located near the village of Osmar in Shumen and impress with their scale, symbolism and hard-to-reach beauty. Carved high into the limestone cliffs, these sanctuaries preserve traces of spiritual life since the 13th-14th centuries and offer a rare combination of natural harmony and mystical feeling. Known for their association with ischism, they attract not only pilgrims but also explorers of ancient energy sites. The climb is challenging, but the view and silence are worth it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs style_default switch_click accordion type_togglable has_scrolling\" style=\"--sections-title-size:inherit\"><div class=\"w-tabs-sections titles-align_none icon_chevron cpos_right\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section new_tab_links\" id=\"tf90\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-tf90\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udea9 Timecode for quick access to video moments<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-tf90\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>You can navigate directly to a desired moment in the video by clicking on the timer\ud83d\udc46<br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">0:00<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Trailer<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=28s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">0:28<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Beginning<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=101s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">1:41<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Where is it?<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=169s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">2:49<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; In the village of Osmar and the eco-trail<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=284s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">4:44<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Climbing to the rock monastery<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=389s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">6:29<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Under the monastery steps<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=425s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">7:05<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Kostadin Monastery (Osmar)<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=548s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">9:08<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; To the Eye of Osmar<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AiBE6Ez2Tv0&amp;t=654s\" target=\"\" rel=\"noopener\">10:54<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> &#8211; Final Thoughts<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section new_tab_links\" id=\"o053\"><button class=\"w-tabs-section-header\" aria-controls=\"content-o053\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-title\">\ud83d\udc49 Links and references to other videos<\/div><div class=\"w-tabs-section-control\"><\/div><\/button><div  class=\"w-tabs-section-content\" id=\"content-o053\"><div class=\"w-tabs-section-content-h i-cf\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><p>\ud83d\udca1 Other interesting places nearby:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/bulgaria-founders-monument\/\">BG31. Monument \u201cFounders of the Bulgarian State\u201d<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/madara-horse-relief\/\">BG32. The Madara Horseman \u2013 Europe\u2019s Only Cliff Relief<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/khan-krum-monastery\/\">BG34. Khan Krum Rock Monastery and the Hesychasm Teaching<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/shumen-fortress\/\">BG37. NRPI \u201cShumen Fortress\u201d \u2013 Discover the Secrets of the Middle Ages!<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/bgdv_listing\/great-preslav\/\">BG38. Veliki Preslav \u2013 Bulgaria\u2019s Second Capital<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 References to other episodes:<br \/>\nNone<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udccc What will we look at in this article?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><a href=\"#summary\">\ud83d\udcdd Episode Summary<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#highlights\">\ud83d\udd25 The most interesting moments<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#location-rating\">\u2b50 Location assessment\u200b<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><a href=\"#final-conclusion\">\u2705 Final conclusion<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"summary\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udcdd Brief summary of the episode<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"753\" data-end=\"1224\">Kostadin Monastery is one of the largest rock complexes on the Shumen Plateau. It is situated about 10 meters high and includes several rooms &#8211; a chapel with an apse, carved niches, grooves for an iconostasis and even a supposed tomb. The Eye of Osmar is located nearby and is a rock hole cut by erosion, often perceived as an energy portal. According to some beliefs, the site emits a strong spiritual field that attracts pilgrims and seekers of inner peace.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"highlights\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\ud83d\udd25 What will you see in this episode?<\/h2>\n<p>In this episode we go through a beautiful forest route that takes us to the foot of the cliffs. The monastery is accessible via makeshift stairs and ropes, and the climb is steep but possible. Inside reveals the authentic architecture of a medieval rock temple, with an apse-shaped cloister and rock niches enveloped by silence. A little further up, the &#8220;Eye&#8221; awaits us, an oval opening in the rock that lets the sky into an almost sacred frame. The whole experience brings a sense of detachment from the world.<\/p>\n<p>The episode traces the route to Kostadin Monastery, starting at the village of Osmar. The path is steep, but passes through a shady forest and offers the opportunity to rest. The shelter at the foot is basic, with an ecotoilet available. The ascent to the monastery is by means of improvised facilities, and the place is partially secured. The interior of the monastery &#8211; the apse, the rock cuttings and the remains of niches &#8211; are visible. Higher up is the Eye of Osmar, a natural opening in the rock through which the sky can be seen. Mention is made of the spiritual impact of the place, the sense of silence, detachment and symbolism. The episode concludes with an emotional focus on personal experience of encountering this type of location.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u0438\u044f\u0442\u0430<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_auto\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\" id=\"location-rating\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2b50 Location assessment<\/h2>\n<p>The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1\/5 &#8211; Very bad, 2\/5 &#8211; Bad, 3\/5 &#8211; Average, 4\/5 &#8211; Good, 5\/5 &#8211; Excellent)<\/p>\n<p><!-- SECTION 3 BUTTONS TOP --><\/p>\n<div style=\"overflow-x: auto;\">\n<table style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-size: 14px;\">\n<thead>\n<tr style=\"background-color: #f8f8f8;\">\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 10%;\">Criterion<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left;\">Personal impression<\/th>\n<th style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: left; width: 15%;\">Rating<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Accessibility<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\ude97<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">Park in the village of Osmar and follow a long hike of about 1.5 hours involving steep and uneven sections. Suitable for well prepared visitors only.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>History<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcdc<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The monastery is a medieval monastery, associated with the monasticism and spiritual life of the 13th-14th centuries. One of the most significant rock complexes in the region, enveloped by mysticism and legends.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Condition<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udee0\ufe0f<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The monastery is partially secured, but there are traces of burning and erosion and ruin. The &#8220;eye&#8221; is cracked and may be risky.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Conveniences<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udebb<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">There is a gazebo and an ecotoilet at the bottom, but few signs along the route.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\">\u2606\u2606\u2606<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px; text-align: center;\"><strong>Price<\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 24px; display: block; margin-top: 4px;\">\ud83d\udcb0<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\">The venue is free to enter, with no fees or ticketing. Suitable for individual visits without restrictions.<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 10px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \u041e\u0431\u0449\u0430 \u043e\u0446\u0435\u043d\u043a\u0430 --><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 15px; padding: 12px; background-color: #f3f3f3; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center;\"><span><strong>Overall rating:<\/strong> 3.6<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 30px;\"><span style=\"color: #ffd700;\">\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><span style=\"position: relative; display: inline-block;\"><span style=\"position: absolute; left: 0; width: 60%; overflow: hidden; color: #ffd700;\">\u2605<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2606<\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u2606<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops hide_on_tablets hide_on_mobiles\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">\u041e\u0431\u0440\u0430\u0442\u043d\u043e \u043a\u044a\u043c \u0442\u043e\u0447\u043a\u0438\u0442\u0435<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"l-section wpb_row us_custom_e7f5d98a height_small\" id=\"final-conclusion\"><div class=\"l-section-h i-cf\"><div class=\"g-cols vc_row via_grid cols_1 laptops-cols_inherit tablets-cols_inherit mobiles-cols_1 valign_top type_default stacking_default\"><div class=\"wpb_column vc_column_container\"><div class=\"vc_column-inner\"><div class=\"wpb_text_column\"><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><h2>\u2705 Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1777\" data-end=\"2241\">The Eye of Osmar and Kostadin Monastery are not tourist sites with signposts and paved paths. These are places to be discovered with heart and climbed with desire. Their isolation combined with historical depth and natural rawness makes for an authentic experience. The amenities are limited, but the feeling of connection to something greater is the real reward. And when the sun passes through the opening of the rock eye, even for a moment, one feels that it all makes sense.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you like the content we share, don&#8217;t forget to subscribe to the channel and support the project &#8220;Bulgaria one click away!&#8221;. Thanks to everyone who shares and spreads the beauty of our homeland!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"w-separator hide_on_default hide_on_laptops size_small\"><\/div><div class=\"w-btn-wrapper align_none hide_on_default hide_on_laptops\"><a class=\"w-btn us-btn-style_11\" href=\"#summary\"><span class=\"w-btn-label\">Back to article<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Episode BG35 takes us high above the Shumen cliffs &#8211; to Kostadin Monastery and the Eye of Osmar. The monastery is carved into a cliff face, and above it nature has opened a mystical window to the sky or something else&#8230; Are you ready to peek through it?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":13857,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14344","bgdv_listing","type-bgdv_listing","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing\/14344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bgdv_listing"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/bgdv_listing"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bulgariadropview.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}