Sofia Architecture Week 2013
November 22, 2013
10 must-visit places in Plovdiv; Part 1
December 8, 2013
Bulgarian Monasteries
Bulgaria is a country with rich cultural heritage and important parts of this heritage are the Bulgarian monasteries. These unique temples are not only historical and architectural landmarks but also symbols of the Bulgarian spiritual power which preserved the Christian faith during many turbulent times.
The Bachkovo Monastery is our next must-see place in the Plovdiv region (pronounced “Bachkovski manastir”). This beautiful landmark is situated 29 km south from Plovdiv and 9 km away from Asenovgrad, in the valley of the Chepelarska river in the Western Rodopi mountain. The monastery is only 10 km south from Asen’s fortress so you can combine the two landmarks on a single trip and go on an exciting Bulgarian adventure!
The monasteries have played an important role in our history. They are beacons of traditional Bulgarian and Christian culture. Many of them have impressive architecture and unique interior. The magnificent wood-carving works and wall – paintings also contribute to the one of a kind atmosphere in the Bulgarian temples. Some of the biggest monasteries treasure miraculous icons that gather many Christians during holidays. There is such an icon in the Bachkovo Monastery as well. The sacred image of St. Mary there is believed to cure the ill and to help the childless.
History of The Bachkovo Monastery
Photo Source: Wikipedia.org
The Bachkovo monastery was built in 1083 by two brothers of Byzantine and Georgian origin. It is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria after the Rila monastery. The unique landmark consists of several buildings – the main church “Sv. Bogoroditsa”(„Св. Богородица”, “Saint Mary”), the “Sv. Arhangeli” (“Св. Архангели”,“Saint Archangels”) and the “Sv. Nikola”(„Св. Никола”, “Saint Nicholas”) churches, Starata trapezaria (Старата трапезария, the Old dining room) and Kostnitzata (Костницата, the Ossuary). The Bachkovo monastery has managed to preserve the spirit of three cultures – the Byzantine, the Bulgarian and the Georgian one.
How to get to The Bachkovo Monastery:
By car
The most comfortable way to reach the monastery is by car. You just take the Plovdiv boulevard “Asenovgradsko shose” and drive south-east until you exit the city(if you can’t find the boulevard, check the instructions in our previous blog about Asen’s fortress ). The “Asenovgradsko shose” unites with road № 86 connecting Plovdiv and Asenovgrad. Drive straight and after fifteen minutes you will reach the city of Asenovgrad. Then stay on the same road and soon you will pass along the Asen’s fortress. Don’t leave road № 86 for another 10 km (approximately 15 min) and you will enter the village of Bachkovo.
The monastery is about a kilometer south from the center of the village and if you keep driving on the same road you will see a sign “Бачковски манастир” (the Bachkovo monastery) indicating an exit on the left . Take the road on the left and it will lead you to the monastery.
By bus:
Useful information
The Bachkovo Monastery
Working time: 07.00 h – 19.00 h, every day.
Tel: +359 32 657 828; +359 32 657 826
Tickets:
- the Monastery complex: 1 lev;
- the Old dining room: 6 lеvа;
- the Museum: 3 lеvа;
- the Ossuary: 6 lеvа;
- the Museum + the Ossuary: 8 lеvа;
- lectures in English, French, Bulgarian and Russian: 10 lеvа;
Bus Station “Rodopi”
- tel: 032 / 657 828; address: “Macedonia” street ( ул. „Македония”)
Bus Schedule:
- The buses for Smolyan leave at 8:00 10:00 11:00 13:00 15:30 18:00 19:00, every day.
- The trip is about 40 minutes long.
- Before reaching Bachkovo, the buses for Smolyan stop in the city of Asenovgrad too. This is a perfect opportunity to visit two beautiful Bulgarian landmarks – the Asen’s fortress and the Bachkovo Monastery in a single journey!
Don’t forget to try some of the delicious sweets, offered at the market in front of the monastery!
( For more interesting and informative articles – visit Free Plovdiv Tour’s blog )
