Bachkovo Monastery

The Bachkovo monastery “The Assumption of Mary” is located on the south end of the Rhodope village of Bachkovo, 10 kilometers south of Asenovgrad. The monastery was founded in 1083 by the Georgian Grigoriy Bakuriani and was a Georgian monastery for a long time. It is believed that after the falling of Bulgaria under Ottoman Dominion (late 14th century) the last Bulgarian Patriarch in the monastery – Evtimiy – was banished. The yard of the monastery, which is home to many interesting plant species, is a favorite place for pilgrims and visitors. Bachkovo is an operating male monastery, which offers accommodation. The memorial day of the temple is 15 August.