THE BULGARIAN MONASTERIES are the historic and artistic memory of the people. Founded during the Middle Ages and the National Revival Period, many of them have remained even to this day an expression of the talent and great creative power of master-builders and painters. They treasure valuable documents from the 13-century-long Bulgarian history. To preserve the Bulgarian monasteries and hand them down to the future generations is a duty of the State and of every Bulgarian who has respect for his history, religion, culture and art.