Bachkovo Monastery

Бачковски манастир

The second-largest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in 1083 and renowned for its remarkable frescoes and revered icon of the Virgin Mary. Nestled in the Rhodope foothills, it is one of the most important spiritual and cultural sites in the country.

Things to do

• Venerate the icon of the Virgin Mary — Join pilgrims filing past the miracle-working icon of the Theotokos Eleusa, believed to date from the 11th century and held in the main Church of the Dormition.
• Admire the Church of the Dormition frescoes — Step inside the main 17th-century katholikon to see its richly painted interior and revered altar.
• See the 14th-century Ossuary murals — Visit the two-storey bone chapel a short walk from the main complex, famous for some of the oldest surviving frescoes in Bulgaria.
• Explore the refectory and its frescoed walls — View the old dining hall with its long stone table and vivid 17th-century wall paintings including the Tree of Jesse.
• Walk to the Church of St Nicholas — Climb to the smaller courtyard church decorated with early 19th-century frescoes by the master Zahari Zograf.
• Hike to the Klouviata chapel and the sacred spring — Follow the forest trail uphill to the small chapel where the wonderworking icon was reputedly rediscovered.
• Browse the monastery market stalls — Wander the lane of vendors outside the gate selling honey, herbs, wool goods and religious souvenirs.

Food to try

• Grilled trout — Freshly caught Rhodope river trout is grilled and served at the tavern stalls lining the approach to the monastery.
• Katmi (Rhodope pancakes) — Thin fried pancakes served hot with local honey, jam or white cheese, a beloved mountain treat sold near the gate.
• Cheverme (spit-roasted lamb) — Whole lamb slowly roasted over open fire is a Rhodope specialty found at nearby restaurants, especially on holidays.
• Patatnik — A traditional Rhodope potato dish grated with onion and herbs and baked or fried until golden.
• Homemade honey and herbal tea — Buy jars of mountain honey and dried Rhodope herbs like mursalski chai from stalls run by local families.
• Banitsa with white cheese — Flaky filo pastry filled with salty sirene cheese, a warm breakfast staple offered at village bakeries.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly — Cover shoulders and knees before entering the churches, as this is an active monastery with monks in residence.
• Light a candle respectfully — Place tall candles in the upper trays for the living and lower trays for the departed, following the Orthodox custom.
• Visit during the Easter pilgrimage — On the Monday after Easter the icon is carried in a large procession up the mountain, one of the year's most important events.
• Photography rules — Taking photos of frescoes and icons inside the churches is usually prohibited, so ask or observe posted signs first.

Nearby

• Asen's Fortress — 6 km
• Plovdiv (Sofia and Surroundings) — 23 km
• Pamporovo — 35 km
• Shiroka Laka — 42 km