Welcome to the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest and second most-visited monastery in Bulgaria. It is located in the Rhodope Mountains overlooking the Chepelarska River.
The oldest building at the monastery is the ossuary, built-in 1083. It is a two-story stone building with graves of former monks on the first floor and the funeral church on the second. It is the only ossuary in the Orthodox world with preserved frescoes. Go on your own pilgrimage to one of the four churches or 18 chapels. The Temple of St. Nicolas features frescoes by the famous Bulgarian artist, Zahari Zograf.
Not to be missed is the Old Refectory, with its painted walls. These frescoes were done by an unknown painter in the 11th century. The kitchen where the meals were prepared has four arched walls and a 24-foot chimney.
The winds are favorable here; the summers breezy and the winters mild. No matter the time of year, this is a must-see! It’s no wonder it is a tourist's favorite hang out on orthodox holidays and on weekends.
To visit the monastery travel on the main road between Asenovgrad and Smolyan. It is located 10 km from Asenovgrad and 30 km from Plovdiv.
Take a bus to Smolyan from Plovdiv’s Rodopi bus station it costs 5 leva
Get down at the turn-off about 1.2km south of Bachkovo village
From there walk about 500m uphill.
You can also get the direct buses every half-hourly that costs 6 leva.
Sunday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Monday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Tuesday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Wednesday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Thursday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Friday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Saturday: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Waiting Time
Entrance Fee
Adnission to Monastery is free
Admission fee for Monastery Complex is BGN 1
Admission fee for The original refectory is BGN 6
Admission fee for The museum is BGN 3
Combined admission fee to the museum as well as the refectory is BGN 8
Admission fee for the Ossuary is BGN 6
Guided tours in Bulgarian, English, French, and Russian costs BGN 10
Time you can spend
Weather
Be the first one to start a thread.
