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Bachkovo Monastery or Bachkovski manastir is the second biggest monastery in Bulgaria. The monastery is located about 6 miles south of Asenovgrad and was founded in 1083 by Gregory Pakourianos- a Georgian military commander in Byzantine service. However, Georgia loses control over the monastery in the 13th century. Bachkovo monastery is famous and praised for being a unique melting pot of Georgian, Byzantine and Bulgarian culture, all united by their common faith. Although the monastery survives the initial Ottoman invasion and is spared by the Muslim troops, like most Christian temples it was raided and demolished. The monastery was reconstructed in the late 15th century but there is one structure which has remained intact since the building of Bachkovo monastery- the ossuary. It is located about 900 ft from the monastery complex and its mural paintings are of great value to 11th century Orthodox art.

Bachkovo monastery is also famous for its icon of St. Mary, in St. Mary church, which is thought to have special powers. On every major Christian holiday hundreds of worshippers congregate to pray and touch St. Mary’s icon in the hopes of having their wishes come true.
There are two more churches in the monastery complex- the temple of Archangels (located in the north of the monastery courtyard) and the church of St. Nikola (in the south of the yard).

Visitors can rent a room in the monastery- there are about 200 beds available, however, in the summertime it is advisable to book your room in advance. In the vicinity of the monastery there are many restaurants serving traditional Bulgarian meals. At the monastery complex you can also buy all kinds of home-grown herbs, home-made preserves, goat cheese and buffalo milk, hand-made icons and souvenirs.