Bachkovo Monastery
Bachkovo Monastery
4.5
About
The Bachkovo monastery is one of most important monasteries of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It is a real place of cult and religion that is very respected by the believers. The monastery is also a National monument of culture, reach of history, art and traditions. It conserves a huge number of icons, paintings, church buildings and very precious examples of church utensils from XI to XIX centuries. It is very possible to stay at the monastery, to have pleasure assist at an Orthodox mass, fill the spirit of Orthodoxy, see the wonderful paintings and picturesque surroundings, try the monastery's cuisine, wine and rakia.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Mattia
74 contributions
Jun 2021
If you are visiting Plovdiv and you have time, this place deserve a visit. It's not far away from the city. You can arrive there by car, there is a big parking just at the entrance of the Monastery.
Between the Monastery entrance and the Main road there is a little open market that's worth a visit.
The Monastery itself is very beautiful to see, preferably with a guided tour. it has been a key point for the preservation of the Bulgarian culture during the past centuries. It is still inhabited by monks who occasionally show up.
Between the Monastery entrance and the Main road there is a little open market that's worth a visit.
The Monastery itself is very beautiful to see, preferably with a guided tour. it has been a key point for the preservation of the Bulgarian culture during the past centuries. It is still inhabited by monks who occasionally show up.
Written 13 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sally_Lightfoot74
Lelystad, The Netherlands147 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
This is a place you must visit!! It is free and it is amazing. The monastery gets crowded in the weekends, so if you can avoid that.... The place is taken care of very well. The church is splendid with gold and contains an icon that is highly appreciated. There are beautiful trees and flowers inside the courtyard making the atmosphere very pleasant even on a hot day.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sharpster08
Woking, UK409 contributions
Aug 2022
Having parked our car in one of the large car parks at the foot of the hill there were so many people around and a busy avenue of tacky shops on the path to the monastery so we expected it to be very busy up there. We were wrong as everybody seemed to be shopping and the monastery itself was crowd free. It's another beautiful monastery and only Rila was more impressive for us. As always the setting is superb, surrounded by tree covered mountains. The picturesque old buildings and the churches all add up to make it an amazing place to visit.
Written 27 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adriana Z
Curitiba, PR549 contributions
Jul 2023
It is the second largest and most important Orthodox monastery in the country, close to Plovdiv. There are still monks who live there and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This Monastery played an important role in the Second World War: sponsored by Tsar Ivan Alexander, it served to protect Jews. Two of his monks, Kiril and Stephan, distinguished themselves in this mission and were caught and killed because of it, and today they are saints of the Orthodox church. Their tombs are exposed there, which makes the place a major pilgrimage center in Bulgaria.
This Monastery played an important role in the Second World War: sponsored by Tsar Ivan Alexander, it served to protect Jews. Two of his monks, Kiril and Stephan, distinguished themselves in this mission and were caught and killed because of it, and today they are saints of the Orthodox church. Their tombs are exposed there, which makes the place a major pilgrimage center in Bulgaria.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Soccca
Tolmin, Slovenia1,809 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
We stopped at this monastery on our way from Burgas to Plovdiv. We made a little detour, but it was worth. The monastery is just stunning with amazing frescoes. Two days later we also went to visit the Rila Monastery and both are just amazing. It is very difficult to choose a winner. Well, apparently they are both the winners.
Written 22 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirkos P
Nicosia District, Cyprus102 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
I liked the Monastery very much, because it has a lot of small shops from where you can buy lots of useful staff, both for everyday use and as Souvenirs! Plus, there are some places where you can have a coffee and relax, inhale clean air, and then the Monastery is so likeable! OK, I disliked the fact that someone has to pay "a nominal fee" for using the nearby Toilets/WC, but other than that, it is a very nice place to visit, whether you want to shop goods or pray to whomever you believe to be the God!
Written 14 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ladybird_me
Sofia21 contributions
Dec 2011 • Business
Bachkovo monastery is second in size and importance in Bulgaria. It's very easy to get there from Plovdiv, using the road to Pamporovo ski resort and Smolyan town. Since the visit to the monastery doesn't take up too much time, it can be easily combined with any of the other sights in the area like Asenova fortress or the Museum of Aviation at the airport of Plovdiv in the vicinity of Krumovo village. Or you could stop over for sightseeing and a meal on your way to the ski slopes in winter.
Yes, unfortunately, for a few years now it's been forbidden to take photos inside the monastery - this means the moment you enter the courtyard it's best to put your camera away. Or you might hear a high-pitched warning behind your back, in case the attendant in the courtyard thinks you are trying to slight the ban. Like it or not, monastery rules should best be kept. Monks do not like to be photographed, either, even if they are outside the monastery.
What to see at Bachkovo monastery?
- Main church "Holy Trinity" with its lovely iconostasis and the fourteenth century miraculous icon of Virgin Mary with the child (it is on a separate stand, as you enter the nave, on the right side). Frescoes are better preserved in the narthex, in the nave they are covered with a thick layer of soot as a result of candles burning inside.
- The Medieval dining hall of the monastery (the refectory) is 100% worth seeing, but most of the visitors miss it out, since it's not indicated with any sign. When walking into the courtyard of the monastery, keep the left side and look out for a big niche in the monastery building, with wooden columns and a big tortoise shell hanging overhead. In there, right hand-side, you'll spot a low wooden door. This is the entrance to the refectory, but since there is a fee of 6 lv. for the visit, an attendant has to open it especially for you. If you don't see anyone sitting nearby, just make it clear that you want to enter. Ask some Bulgarian visitor to help you out, if you have to. When you see the 17th century frescoes in the dining hall, you'll realize it was worth the effort!
- In the same area where the entrance to the refectory is, there is another wooden door, up to which there lead several stone steps. That's a door to a Secret Garden (almost like in the book) - the second courtyard of the monastery. The fine 19-th century church of St. Nicholas stands in the middle. Even though it's not open for visitors, you can see the beautiful frescoes in the open gallery on the western wall of the church. The Last Judgement Day depicted there is spectacular.
- When you're back in the main monastery courtyard, don't forget to check out the fresco depicting the monastery complex (as it was in the 19th century) on the north wall of the monastery building, just behind a big tree.
- Outside the monastery, opposite the main entrance, behind a wrought iron gate there starts a hiking trail into the nearby mountain hills. Even if you are not a keen hiker, the 5-minute walk to the 11th century building of the monastery ossuary is pleasant. If you keep walking, in approximately 45 to 60 minutes you will reach the Kluviyata area, where there is a healing water spring. Every year during the Easter week a procession with the miraculous icon of the Virgin is organized up to here.
Not to be missed is the opportunity to buy tasty forest fruit jam, pure honey or mountain herbs for tea from the market in the street leading up from the main road to the monastery.
Yes, unfortunately, for a few years now it's been forbidden to take photos inside the monastery - this means the moment you enter the courtyard it's best to put your camera away. Or you might hear a high-pitched warning behind your back, in case the attendant in the courtyard thinks you are trying to slight the ban. Like it or not, monastery rules should best be kept. Monks do not like to be photographed, either, even if they are outside the monastery.
What to see at Bachkovo monastery?
- Main church "Holy Trinity" with its lovely iconostasis and the fourteenth century miraculous icon of Virgin Mary with the child (it is on a separate stand, as you enter the nave, on the right side). Frescoes are better preserved in the narthex, in the nave they are covered with a thick layer of soot as a result of candles burning inside.
- The Medieval dining hall of the monastery (the refectory) is 100% worth seeing, but most of the visitors miss it out, since it's not indicated with any sign. When walking into the courtyard of the monastery, keep the left side and look out for a big niche in the monastery building, with wooden columns and a big tortoise shell hanging overhead. In there, right hand-side, you'll spot a low wooden door. This is the entrance to the refectory, but since there is a fee of 6 lv. for the visit, an attendant has to open it especially for you. If you don't see anyone sitting nearby, just make it clear that you want to enter. Ask some Bulgarian visitor to help you out, if you have to. When you see the 17th century frescoes in the dining hall, you'll realize it was worth the effort!
- In the same area where the entrance to the refectory is, there is another wooden door, up to which there lead several stone steps. That's a door to a Secret Garden (almost like in the book) - the second courtyard of the monastery. The fine 19-th century church of St. Nicholas stands in the middle. Even though it's not open for visitors, you can see the beautiful frescoes in the open gallery on the western wall of the church. The Last Judgement Day depicted there is spectacular.
- When you're back in the main monastery courtyard, don't forget to check out the fresco depicting the monastery complex (as it was in the 19th century) on the north wall of the monastery building, just behind a big tree.
- Outside the monastery, opposite the main entrance, behind a wrought iron gate there starts a hiking trail into the nearby mountain hills. Even if you are not a keen hiker, the 5-minute walk to the 11th century building of the monastery ossuary is pleasant. If you keep walking, in approximately 45 to 60 minutes you will reach the Kluviyata area, where there is a healing water spring. Every year during the Easter week a procession with the miraculous icon of the Virgin is organized up to here.
Not to be missed is the opportunity to buy tasty forest fruit jam, pure honey or mountain herbs for tea from the market in the street leading up from the main road to the monastery.
Written 18 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
niki101
London, UK764 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
Established in 1083, Bachkovo Monastery is one of the oldest and largest Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Europe. There are many different things to see within the monastery and one day is not enough to enjoy the whole place. As I had only one day, I made my choice: a walk around the monastery, the main church of the monastery, and the Ossuary.
Built in 1604, The Virgin Mary Church is the main one of the monastery and it holds its most treasured item - the miraculous Virgin Mary icon. It dates as far back as 1311 and it was a gift from two Georgian travellers. You will find it on your right as you enter the church. This treasure has survived for centuries. To safeguard it in days of fires and conflicts it was hidden in the barely accessible rocks and caves around.
The Ossuary was my favourite place. It has the mural paintings which are extremely valuable specimens of 11th century Orthodox art.
It is quite touching to realise that this is the only building preserved since the establishment of the monastery in 1083. It was constructed over a rock and the building looks as if it has grown out of the rock. This elegant edifice is only a ten minute walk from the main monastery complex.
The Ossuary can be visited only with a tour guide and only groups can have a tour. Nevertheless, we had no problem in arranging a tour solely for me and my husband. We were asked to pay 20 levs (about £8). The guide himself was good. There is a graveyard by the Ossuary entrance where the monks were buried. Eight years after each monk’s death, his remains were transferred to the Ossuary.
The building has two floors. They both are fascinating. Our tour started with the upper floor. Soon after the entrance, you face the famous medieval portrait of Bulgarian King Ivan Alexander. It is said to be the most authentic portrayal of him. While on this floor, you will also see many more depictions of beautiful faces such as those of St Michael and St Gabriel.
Downstairs there are astonishing 11th century frescoes. Many have been painted over. However, you can still see the well-preserved face of St Peter. It is very realistic and beautiful. The subject of the Last Judgment is executed with virtuosity (The dead bodies emerge from rivers and the mouths of animals to be judged). The author of these frescoes was Yoan Iviropulos (Йоан Иверопулец). As the guide said, his name was found over the frescoes which depicted paradise: he obviously knew his place. In the central part try not to miss the handsome image of Ezekiel. Another of note here is of St Mary, wearing a red robe. This image is gracious and her face exudes motherly love and pain. To me this is one of the most exquisite and memorable images of the Virgin Mary.
While walking around the main monastery complex you will see that many buildings have paintings on the outside. They constitute the so-called “Panorama” mural. It is exceptionally interesting and over a century old, yet the colours are still fresh. The story goes that the paints were made according to the formula of the painter himself, Alexi Atanasov, probably from grass mixed with egg emulsion. The painting technique he used is “fresco buono” (a mural art which involves applying the paint to a smooth moist plaster). When the water evaporates the images rise to the surface. The application of this technique, together with a great deal of artistic mastery, is the reason why these murals look so fresh even today.
We reached the monastery by car. There is a big car park by the entrance. You have to pay 1 lev (around 40p) fee on your way to the monastery doors.
I will definitely be back at the monastery as there are many more works of art worth seeing such as the dining room and the frescoes by Zachary Zograf.
Only 35 kilometres from Bachkovo Monastery is the Cross Forest (Krastova gora) – a holy place which has provided believers with spiritual and physical healing for centuries.
Built in 1604, The Virgin Mary Church is the main one of the monastery and it holds its most treasured item - the miraculous Virgin Mary icon. It dates as far back as 1311 and it was a gift from two Georgian travellers. You will find it on your right as you enter the church. This treasure has survived for centuries. To safeguard it in days of fires and conflicts it was hidden in the barely accessible rocks and caves around.
The Ossuary was my favourite place. It has the mural paintings which are extremely valuable specimens of 11th century Orthodox art.
It is quite touching to realise that this is the only building preserved since the establishment of the monastery in 1083. It was constructed over a rock and the building looks as if it has grown out of the rock. This elegant edifice is only a ten minute walk from the main monastery complex.
The Ossuary can be visited only with a tour guide and only groups can have a tour. Nevertheless, we had no problem in arranging a tour solely for me and my husband. We were asked to pay 20 levs (about £8). The guide himself was good. There is a graveyard by the Ossuary entrance where the monks were buried. Eight years after each monk’s death, his remains were transferred to the Ossuary.
The building has two floors. They both are fascinating. Our tour started with the upper floor. Soon after the entrance, you face the famous medieval portrait of Bulgarian King Ivan Alexander. It is said to be the most authentic portrayal of him. While on this floor, you will also see many more depictions of beautiful faces such as those of St Michael and St Gabriel.
Downstairs there are astonishing 11th century frescoes. Many have been painted over. However, you can still see the well-preserved face of St Peter. It is very realistic and beautiful. The subject of the Last Judgment is executed with virtuosity (The dead bodies emerge from rivers and the mouths of animals to be judged). The author of these frescoes was Yoan Iviropulos (Йоан Иверопулец). As the guide said, his name was found over the frescoes which depicted paradise: he obviously knew his place. In the central part try not to miss the handsome image of Ezekiel. Another of note here is of St Mary, wearing a red robe. This image is gracious and her face exudes motherly love and pain. To me this is one of the most exquisite and memorable images of the Virgin Mary.
While walking around the main monastery complex you will see that many buildings have paintings on the outside. They constitute the so-called “Panorama” mural. It is exceptionally interesting and over a century old, yet the colours are still fresh. The story goes that the paints were made according to the formula of the painter himself, Alexi Atanasov, probably from grass mixed with egg emulsion. The painting technique he used is “fresco buono” (a mural art which involves applying the paint to a smooth moist plaster). When the water evaporates the images rise to the surface. The application of this technique, together with a great deal of artistic mastery, is the reason why these murals look so fresh even today.
We reached the monastery by car. There is a big car park by the entrance. You have to pay 1 lev (around 40p) fee on your way to the monastery doors.
I will definitely be back at the monastery as there are many more works of art worth seeing such as the dining room and the frescoes by Zachary Zograf.
Only 35 kilometres from Bachkovo Monastery is the Cross Forest (Krastova gora) – a holy place which has provided believers with spiritual and physical healing for centuries.
Written 10 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zmanCalifornia
Garden Grove, CA184 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
This monastery is in a beautifully forested area 30 km outside Plovdid. It's easy to get to by taking a bus at Rodopi bus station. Tickets cost 4 leva, and buses leave half hourly. It's a good idea to alert the driver that you want to get off at the monastery, as it is signed only when you're almost there.
Once at the monastery, you will see impressive murals on the walls, as well as inside the church. There is also a museum in what was once the refectory, which, tho pricey at 6 leva, I recommend.
The area is beautiful and many people hike in the nearby hills, but I was not so ambitious.
As you might've guessed, there are many snacks stands and souvenir stalls on your way up the modest hill to the monastery.
As I waited at the stop for my return bus, with two locals, cars pulled over on two occasions, apparently to offer us lifts back to the city. The others declined and so did I. Presumably they were just looking for gas money.
When the bus eventually came, it was full, so 2 of us got on and stood. Fortunately, as I hoped, 4 people got off at a small town, after about 10 minutes, so we were then able to take seats.
Once at the monastery, you will see impressive murals on the walls, as well as inside the church. There is also a museum in what was once the refectory, which, tho pricey at 6 leva, I recommend.
The area is beautiful and many people hike in the nearby hills, but I was not so ambitious.
As you might've guessed, there are many snacks stands and souvenir stalls on your way up the modest hill to the monastery.
As I waited at the stop for my return bus, with two locals, cars pulled over on two occasions, apparently to offer us lifts back to the city. The others declined and so did I. Presumably they were just looking for gas money.
When the bus eventually came, it was full, so 2 of us got on and stood. Fortunately, as I hoped, 4 people got off at a small town, after about 10 minutes, so we were then able to take seats.
Written 22 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George Miloshev
Sofia, Bulgaria164 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
It’s a second biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It’s perfect in the summer. Definitely deserve to visit.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
E' possibile andarci da soli col bus(quale e ogni quanto passa per il ritorno?) o per forza affidarsi alle agenzie?Nel caso ne avete una da consigliare con prezzi buoni?Grazie
Written 18 April 2017
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