Bachkovo Monastery St. Bogoroditsa Petrichka is situated 10 km away from the town of Asenovgrad and 29 km away from Plovdiv. The monastery hides in the folds of the Rhodope Mountain and is one of the oldest on the Balkans.
Monastery construction took place in 1083. Just like other Bulgarian monasteries, it was robbed and destroyed several times. Renovation of the sanctuary began in the 16th century. Its church was constructed in 1604.
The church preserves till present day a rather old iconostasis.
Bachkovo Monastery has its miracle-making icon of Virgin Mary that was drawn in 1310. You can see it next to the church entrance.
Wall paintings in the monastery church date back to the 17th century. They depict numerous scenes from the Old Testament and religious events.
Bachkovo Monastery protects various other treasures. Its library contains Byzantine, old Georgian and Bulgarian books.
Many rare species grow in the monastery garden.
Accommodation is possible in Bachkovo Monastery, as it makes use of 200 beds.
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Troyan Monastery is situated 10 km away from the town of Troyan. A road from the town will take you directly to the sanctuary and you can also make use of the regular bus line.
The monastery has long history. It was set up during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Several times the complex expanded.
One of the most important monastery valuables is its miraculous icon of Virgin Mary.
Famous painters like Zahari Zograf worked on the wall paintings of the monastery. His self-portrait can still be seen there today.
In 1872, Bulgarian revolutionary Vassil Levski created a secret committee in the monastery. The cell, where committee members used to meet, can be explored by monastery visitors even today.
Troyan Monastery offers accommodation.
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Each Bulgarian and probably most visitors of the country readily recognize the silhouette of Rila Monastery, hidden in the heart of the magnificent Rila Mountain. Undoubtedly, the monastery is one of Bulgaria’s most recognizable symbols.
Rila Monastery was constructed in the 10th century. Today, it welcomes visitors and lets them explore its museum, large yard, tower and monastery kitchen.
The holy remains of St. Ivan of Rila are still preserved in the monastery’s church today. Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno church is known for its beautiful icons and wall paintings, some of which the work of famous painter Zahari Zograf.
A narrow path will take you from the monastery to St. Ivan’s cave. Only believers can exit it through a narrow hole in the ceiling.
Rila Monastery is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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