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On June 11, 1957, an old Bulgarian rock monastery was discovered during construction work near Murfatlar in northern Dobrogea, 10 km from Constanta, Romania. It was studied between 1957 and 1960. The rock monastery consists of six rock churches, three crypts with cells, two cells without crypts and four connecting galleries. They are formed in the rocks by soft limestone. The most valuable and remarkable thing in the monastery complex for us as Bulgarians, however, are the numerous old Bulgarian inscriptions. They were carved in soft stone. There are many inscriptions in Greek letters, in Glagolitic and Cyrillic, but the most important for Bulgarian history are the inscriptions left on the ancient Bulgarian runic script, which are a total of over 60 in number. In addition to inscriptions, crosses, horses, horsemen, saints, stars, a ship, dragon and braids are painted. There is also a relief plate with a lion, similar to the lion of Stara Zagora. According to scholars, the monastery operated from the middle of the IX to the end of the X century after the adoption of Christianity in Bulgaria. It is believed to have been destroyed by the invasions of the Kiev prince Svetoslav I. After being abandoned by the monks, it was gradually covered with earth and remained hidden for nearly 1000 years.
Rune inscription from church B1 in the rock monastery Murfatlar - Basarabi, Romania (above). Below: rune contrast and phonetic transcription in Cyrillic.
Drawing of a monk with a cross with a runic inscription. Church complex in Murfatlar.
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