Sokolski Monastery Holy Mother’s Assumption is situated 15 km to the southeast of Gabrovo in an area called Sokolova Peshtera (Falcon’s Cave). Its location together with its founder and first abbot Yosif Sokolski have given the name of the monastery. It was established in 1833 after Yosif Sokolski arrived here accompanied by another monk, Agapii. The two chose the stone terrace in front of the Sokolova Peshtera (Falcon’s Cave) for the place of the new monastery and dug its first church in the limestone rock. The church was small and wooden, with primitive wooden house built next to it. The consecration of the church was carried out by the Tarnovo metropolitan Ilarion of Crete on the August 15, 1834.

     The present-day church was built in 1834, while its murals were accomplished in 1862 by a priest, Pavel, and his son Nikolay. The entire monastery has been recently restored with financial assistance from the EU.

     A valuable architectural monument can be seen in the middle of the monastery’s yard – a big round-shaped fountain, built by the famous master Kolyu Ficheto that still shines with its beauty.