The Tchergnogorski monastery St Kozma and Damian, is located some 60 km away from Sofia, above the village of Gigen, Pernik region, amongst pristine and beautiful nature.

Unfortunately very little is known about the history of this monastery- it has existed during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, and after that it has been demolished 2 times during the years of Turkish presence in Bulgaria. During the Communist years it served different purposes. At one time it has been a concentration camp.

It has been re- built again with the invaluable help of the monk Nikanor (Hristo Mishkov), who has worked for many years as a financial analyst, broker and dealer at Nasdaq.

Now the monastery has its own farm, own website (http://www.svetogorie.com) and blog, and enchants its visitors with its picturesque appearance.