ThePetropavlovski monastery, also known as Lyaskovets monastery, is one ofthe 14 monasteries built nearby the old capital of Bulgaria, VelikoTurnovo, during the Second Bulgarian State (12-14th century). Themonastery, named after St Peter and St Pavel (St. Paul), is one of thebest-preserved monasteries from that time, mainly because of itshard-to-reach location. It perches over the high and inaccessible rocksof the Arbanasi plateau, 6 km to the northeastern part of VelikoTarnovo. It is believed that the Petropavlovski monastery was builtduring the rule of the Asenevtsi dynasty but there is no writtenevidence about that. When Bulgaria fell under Ottoman yoke, themonastery was several times set on fire and then rebuilt. The monasterytook a very active role during the struggles against the Ottoman rule,which must be due to its inaccessibility and at the same time,proximity to the old capital. The Petropavlovski monastery gave shelterto prosecuted rebels, as the national hero, Vassil Levski, and alsobecame a meeting place for him and other famous revolutionaries such asMatey Preobrazhenski Mitkaloto, Georgi Izmirliev, Ivan PanovSemerdzhiev and Bacho Kiro.