ABOUT THE BACHKOVO MONASTERY
Located on the right bank of the
Chepelare river in the Western
Rhodopes,1 km from the village of
Bachkovo , 29km away from
Plovdiv, 89 km away from
Sofia , 10km away from
Assenovgrad , 15 km away from the village of
Kuklen and 12 km from the village of
Narechenski bani.
This is the second in size and importance monastery in Bulgaria.
A prominent Byzantine statesman, of Georgian origin, founded it in 1083. It does not look the same as it was when established because it was destroyed by fire than once and then restored. The only part that has survived from its original structure is the charnel house with an interesting architectural design.
Another building, which has survived is the church “Saint Archangels” dating back to the 12 th century, the ground floor of which was painted by Zachari Zograf and his students in 1841.
Unique frescoes were discovered in the dining room of the monastery.
The museum of the Monastery has a rich exhibition of church plate, icons, books, the sword of Friedrich Barbarosa, the Crusader, the Sultans firman from 1452, the wood carved cross with miniatures.
The broad branches of a Diasperus Lotus tree, brought from Georgia more than 2 centuries ago stretch over the courtyard. Lodging for more than 200 people are provided in its building.
Description
