Places of interest
Bachkovo Monastery
The Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery. It is situated in the western part of Rhodope Mountain, 10 km south of Asenovgrad and 24 km south of Plovdiv. The monastery was built in 11th century and is among the oldest monasteries on the Balkan Peninsula. The two-storey bone-vault of the monastery dating from 11th - 12th century, decorated with wall-paintings is unique for the whole Orthodox world.
The wall paintings in the monastery have special value. In addition to the Judgment Day and the images of saints, there are scenes revealing the history of the Orthodox Church - images of the seven ecumenical convocations. The wonder-working icon of Virgin Mary attracts great interest, too. During the 30s of 20th century in a secret chamber in the monastery were found 103 manuscripts and 252 incunabular books, which immediately were called "real literary treasure”.
In addition to the main church, the complex also includes two smaller churches — St Archangels (of 13th - 14th century), which is located in the north yard to the main church and St Nicolas, which was built in 1834-1837. The Church St Nicolas, which is situated in the south part of the courtyard, is impressive for its well-preserved wall-paintings from 1841, which are works of the well known Bulgarian painter Zahari Zograf (who painted his own portrait there). The Monastery accommodates also small museum exhibiting ritual items and models of the jeweler’s art from different periods. The Bachkovo Monastery is included in the indicative list of UNESCO in 1984. The monastery is open for visitors.
The Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Bulgarian monastery. It is situated in the western part of Rhodope Mountain, 10 km south of Asenovgrad and 24 km south of Plovdiv. The monastery was built in 11th century and is among the oldest monasteries on the Balkan Peninsula. The two-storey bone-vault of the monastery dating from 11th - 12th century, decorated with wall-paintings is unique for the whole Orthodox world.
The wall paintings in the monastery have special value. In addition to the Judgment Day and the images of saints, there are scenes revealing the history of the Orthodox Church - images of the seven ecumenical convocations. The wonder-working icon of Virgin Mary attracts great interest, too. During the 30s of 20th century in a secret chamber in the monastery were found 103 manuscripts and 252 incunabular books, which immediately were called "real literary treasure”.
In addition to the main church, the complex also includes two smaller churches — St Archangels (of 13th - 14th century), which is located in the north yard to the main church and St Nicolas, which was built in 1834-1837. The Church St Nicolas, which is situated in the south part of the courtyard, is impressive for its well-preserved wall-paintings from 1841, which are works of the well known Bulgarian painter Zahari Zograf (who painted his own portrait there). The Monastery accommodates also small museum exhibiting ritual items and models of the jeweler’s art from different periods. The Bachkovo Monastery is included in the indicative list of UNESCO in 1984. The monastery is open for visitors.
