The term Sofia Sveta Gora marks a group of monasteries, originated as one spiritual complex under common governance during the Second Bulgarian Empire. These monasteries were situated in the field of Sofia and the surrounding plains, in Vitosha, Lyulin, Rui Mountain, Plana, Lozen Mountain, as well as Stara Planina’s southern slopes near Sofia and the field of Dragoman and Ihtiman. During the Second Bulgarian Empire tzar Ivan Alexander built around Sofia (Sredec) 14 monasteries.

Researchers do not agree as to how many and which exactly were the monasteries comprising the complex. They include various cloisters. Some include only 14 monasteries: Sveta Bogorodica Vitoshka at Dragalevci, Sveti Gerorgi at Kremikovci, Sveta Bogorodica at Elena, Sveti Ivan Rilski at Kurilo, Sveti Spas at Lozen, Sveti Ivan Rilski at German, Sedemte prestola at Osenovo, Sveta Troica at Divotino, Sveti Ilia at Ilienci, Sveti Nicola at Kladnica, Sveti Arhangel Mihail at Kokalyane, Sveti Nicolay Mirlikiiski at Seslavci and Sveta Bogorodica at Iskrec. Others assume that the Sofia Sveta Gora used to consist of 25 monasteries, among them also the Kiril and Methodii Monastery at Gorna Banya, Sveti Dimitar Monastery at Pdogumer, Sveti Duh Monastery at Zheleznica, Sveti Pantaleimon at Boyana, Sveta Petka and Sveti Peter Monasteries at Bistrica, Sveta Petka Monastery at Vladaya, Sveti Nikolay at Urvich, Sveti Peter and Pavel Monastery at Lozen, Sveti Spas at Alina. Some contemporary scientists go as far as to use the term Mala Sveta Gora, or Little Sveta Gora, to encompass all the monasteries around the city of Sofia and in the Pernik region.

This monastic group used to be led by a main monastery called lavra. Until the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule this role was taken by the Sveti Georgi Monastery at Bistritsa, which in the 15th century was replaced by the Sveta Bogoroditsa Vitoshka Monastery at Dragalevtsi. The monasteries were built according to the rules and organization of Mount Athos. This ring of closely interconnected monasteries took shape over a period of several centuries. Some of them originated during the First Bulgarian Empire and mark their heyday and spiritual stature in the 14th century.

Today there are 66 Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the Sofia region, 44 of which are operational.

Sofia Sveta Gora pilgrimage and cultural tourism route is based on restoration of a pilgrimage route that links the spiritual sanctuaries around Sofia. The project, initiated by the Credo Bonum Foundation in partnership with Sofia Municipality, seeks to encourage, by creating the proper conditions for cultural tourism, the adoption of a more responsible attitude towards nature and the historical heritage. The foundation’s chief activities are focused on the improvement and the development of the alternative routes between the churches and monasteries in Sofia Sveta Gora—hiking and bicycle routes—known primarily to a handful of devoted pilgrims and aficionados of active recreation. Part of the steps for the popularisation of this route are putting up of signposts, path marking, publication of information materials and creation and maintenance of a web site.

The project’s pilot stage deals with the northern part of Sofia Sveta Gora and includes nine churches and 14 monasteries in the region between Buhovo and Katina. To become functioning cultural tourism centres, redeveloped routes should be built to connect these sites, as well as public spaces for recreation and various activities. The foundation finances its operations with its own resources and works closely with Sofia Municipality and all state and public institutions whose work is devoted to the development of the treasures in Sofia Sveta Gora.