Rojen (Christmas) the monastery of the blessed virgin Mary is located close to Melnik – the smallest Bulgarian town. Is one of the few medieval monasteries that have survived to the present day.

The exact time when the monastery was founded, and the name of the founder is not called. There were several versions, none of which failed to document. However, the analysis of architecture and structure of the monastery and the collegiate Church was allowed to carry a construction to 12th-13th centuries.

After the conquest of Bulgaria by the Turks, the Rozhen monastery acquired the reputation of a major spiritual and cultural center. Here in the 16th century opened a calligraphy school, wrote several valuable manuscripts, for example, "Interpretation of job", which is now kept in Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy sepulchre.

The monastery was repeatedly subjected to robberies and arsons during the rule of Osman and restored several times, was rebuilt and reconstructed. In 1597 there was major restoration work, during which was built ossuary of St. John the Baptist, the renovated building of the Church, and began the process of painting that lasted for 30 years. In the 16th and 17th centuries many of the buildings of the monastery were painted in the tradition of mount Athos art school, but in the 18th century over most of the old paintings were inflicted new, and which survived until our days. The final reconstruction of the monastery took place in 1715-1732, with the financial support of the population.

This blossoming of the Rozhen monastery reaches in the 19th century, becoming the spiritual center of the region. In addition, leaders of the revolutionary movement, the monastery became a refuge. Near the grave of a famous fighter for the Bulgarian national liberation Joanna the Sandanski.

Nowadays the monastery is open for visitors and is maintained in excellent condition. Visitors can appreciate the mural, unique stained glass Windows and wooden carved icon-stands and lecterns. The main treasure of the monastery is the miraculous icon of our lady. In the Rozhen monastery is home to an impressive collection of icons 16-19 centuries, but also the valuable pieces of ritual temple utensils.