Bachkovo Monastery

Plovdiv Province, Bulgaria

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Bachkovo Monastery, located in Plovdiv Province in southern Bulgaria, is one of the country’s oldest and most important Eastern Orthodox monasteries.

Founded in 1083 by the Georgian nobleman Gregory Pakourianos, it is renowned for its unique blend of Georgian, Byzantine, and Bulgarian cultural and religious traditions. Nestled in the scenic Rhodope Mountains near the town of Asenovgrad, the monastery is famous for its beautiful churches, medieval architecture, frescoes, and valuable religious artworks.

It remains an active religious center and a major pilgrimage site, particularly known for its revered icon of the Virgin Mary. As the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria after Rila Monastery, Bachkovo Monastery attracts visitors with its peaceful courtyards, historic ossuary, richly decorated refectory, and picturesque mountain setting, making it one of the country’s most significant cultural and spiritual landmarks.