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The monastery "St. John the Baptist" is another sacred place in Kardzhali. The medieval building is decorated with magnificent frescoes.

The monastery is located within the city itself, in the neighborhood "Veselchane". There are only ruins left from the monastery that have been repeatedly studied. In the 30s of the twentieth century, archaeologists discovered the first remains of the monastery. In 1962 local workers found traces of the medieval church. The archeological study of the site began 20 years later. Then the elements of a large monastic complex emerged, surrounded by solid walls. In its center were revealed the walls of a church with unique murals in places reaching up to 3.5 meters. Archaeologists surmised that it was a chapel of the Episcopal monastery, founded in XIII century.

Scientists believe that the monastery complex was built on the foundations of an even older building – probably a from the IX century. It is believed that at the beginning of the XIII century the monastery was destroyed by the knights of the Fourth Crusade, led by Count Baldwin of Flanders, who later became King of the Latin Empire in Constantinople. The temple was rebuilt and was destroyed by Ottoman Turks in the late XIV century.

There is little left from the monastery complex. Today three sides of the monastery wall survived - the south is completely preserved, while the east and west - only partially. North side is completely destroyed. This is due to the hostile invasions, and the operation of the Arda River, which by changing its bed, has destroyed many of the buildings north of the main building. It is believed that Kardzhali Monastery has become a center of the Christianity in the Rhodopes. Historical records and preserved remains of buildings are suggesting that it has become episcopal church in X-XI century and later it became the metropolitan center of the region. It is believed that the structure of the temple is similar to that of the monasteries on Mount Athos.

The building of the monastery has five stone masonry tombs. In four of them senior clerics are buried and the fifth is believed to be to a prominent local aristocrat. One of them is intact brick tomb of bishop in liturgical clothing, which was hermetically sealed. Findings from this tomb are amazing examples of the famous Constantinople embroidery with gold thread on silk with beautiful ornaments, images of the Virgin Mary and other saints.

At the monastery man can read the inscription left by Dobromir, which was probably a master painter who wanted to keep his name among the decorations of the temple. Similar findings are common in late medieval Bulgarian churches. At that time they were considered a violation of canon. Today scientists believe that the Bulgarian masters who have left their names on their works, are carriers of the Renaissance spirit.

In 2000 the churche in the monastery was restored.