Description of the attraction
The Bachkovo Monastery is located 29 km from Plovdiv and in its scale, architectural, artistic and cultural significance is comparable to the famous Rila Monastery. The holy monastery was founded in 1083 by the Byzantine commander of Georgian origin Grigory Bakuriani and his brother Abaziy. Initially, there were only Georgian monks in the monastery. But since 1344, when Tsar Ivan-Alexander came to power, Bulgar monks also appeared here. The Bachkovo monastery owned large land plots and was very rich. The Turks destroyed the monastery, but by the end of the 16th century it was rebuilt.
The most ancient building on the territory of the monastery is the tomb church ("ossuary"), built around 1083. This is a rare example of Georgian architecture. The outside of the building is decorated with decorative arcatures. The church is famous for its 11th and 14th century frescoes. The name of the author of the more ancient murals is known - the inscription in Greek "This temple is painted from top to bottom by the hand of Ioann Zograf Iveropuletz" has been preserved. In later paintings, the influence of the Tarnovo school of painting is felt.
The ensemble of the monastery includes the Assumption Cathedral, the refectory and the churches of St. Archangel and Trinity; all of these buildings date back to the early 17th century. And the Church of St. Nicholas was built much later - in 1841. It was painted by the painter Zakhary Zograf.
Of particular interest are the frescoes in the refectory of the monastery. It depicts the Greek philosophers Socrates, Diogenes, Aristotle, Sophocles, etc. In Orthodox philosophy, these philosophers are considered pagans and their images are very rare.
The monastery museum contains numerous gifts donated to the monastery at different times.
