Bachkovo Monastery

There are many sacred places in Bulgaria which maintained the faith and the spirit of the Bulgarian people in times of difficulty and suffering. One of these places is the Bachkovo Monastery – Assumption of Virgin Mary (Bachkovski manastir, Бачковски манастир „Успение на Пресвета Богородица”). In the 10th century, when the monastery was founded, this area was on the territory of the Byzantium Empire. The man who redeemed the land from the Emperor Alexios I Komnenos was his friend Grigorii Bakuriani, the ruler of this region. Large part of the resources needed for the construction of the monastery was given by Abasii, the brother of Gregorii, who was also considered a founder. At the time of its establishment, the monastery was the third largest in Byzantium with its 50 monks. Most of them were Georgians and Armenians, brought along from the two Bakuriani brothers. It is not known what nationality the brothers were. There is an assumption that they were either Georgians or Armenians.

The independence of the monastery was declared with a special document issued by the Emperor himself and that state remained unchanged until the moment when the Turks took possession of Bulgaria. The two founders’ last wish was to be buried in the monastery but that wish was fulfilled only for Ambasii despite the fact he died long before the final construction of the monastery. His brother, Gregorii, died three years after the foundation and his body was never found. There is a hypothesis that the last Bulgarian patriarch Euthymius has found salvation and subsequently died behind the monastery walls after the Turks captured the last Bulgarian capital – Veliko Tarnovo.

The main church in the monastery complex is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It keeps inside its bosom the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary with the child Jesus Christ, which according the legend is a copy, the original having been painted by Luke the Evangelist. There is a legend according to which the icon flew by itself from Georgia and in the place where it landed flushed a holy spring (ayazmo, аязмо). The monks carried the icon to the church but on the next day it got back to the same place where it landed, in the area named Kluviyata. Then, one night a monk had a dream and he dreamed of the Holy Mother who told him to put the icon on the right side of the entrance of the church so she could be close to the people and see if their hearts are pure and good. Every year, on the second day of Easter, the miraculous icon gets back to the place where it was found – Kluviyata, carried on the shoulders of the believers who are searching for help and support.

The oldest church inside the monastery is “St.Arch Angels Michael and Gabriel”, left standing from the years of the establishment of the complex. At the time of excavations inside the church, there were found bones and according to some scientist they belonged to the last Bulgarian patriarch Euthymius but that is not proven yet. Large part of the wall-paintings in the complex is made by the famous Bulgarian mural painter – Zahariy Zograf (Захари Зограф). Another interesting building is the Ossuary (Kostnitzata, Костницата), situated 300 m east from the monastery. Inside of it are preserved frescoes from 11-th century and four large portraits of the main church patrons in the years.

The outstanding history is just the one side of this beautiful place. The other side is the amazing nature. Right in front of the main entrance of the monastery is the beginning of the beautiful trail named “The Green Path“ and it leads to the area Kluviyata. The start of the path is marked by a small green door and a sign. The whole route passes through the biggest reserve in the Rhodopa Mountains named the Red Wall Reserve (rezervat Chervenata stena). The reserve is inhabited by many rare plants and animals, like the flower of Orpheus – Haberlea Rhodopensis (Rodopski silivryak, Родопски силивряк). There is a great diversity of birds and reptiles too. After a short walk, on the left side of the road, you will reach the Ossuary, which we’ve already mentioned. Enjoying this relaxing hike under the old trees, unnoticed, you will see in front of you a large glade and the wind will waft the sound of the two beautiful waterfalls. It’s a perfect place to take a breath and continue heading towards the picturesque path. Not far away from the waterfalls there is another glade and in the wood behind it is the place where the miraculous icon was found – Kluviyata. Of course, the holy spring – Ayazmoto, is there too. Don’t miss out on taking a sip from it and washing your face for health and prosperity. All over the spring are placed many benches and tables just like it is along the whole route.

Several metres after the chapel, a steep path will take you to the Cave – small house, situated high on the rocks. According the legend, that is the place where the monks from the cloister hid a very valuable icon when the Turks occupied the area. After centuries, a shepherd found the icon and got it back in the monastery, where it is to this day. Wooden icons have replaced the original at the chapel and there is set a book where everyone can put down a prayer. The walk to the final step of the trail passes along the wide natural ground surrounded with a wooden handrail from where a magnificent view to the mountains is revealed. At the end of this walking route is the chapel “St.Arch Angels”. The whole hiking itinerary took two hours in total, and it’s a perfect way to strain yourself, especially if you have visited one of the many restaurants around the monastery.