Bachkovo Between the Monastery and the Rhodopes

Bachkovo combines monastic culture with the natural landscape of the Chervenata Stena Biosphere Reserve. The monastery lies about 500 metres south of the village, immediately beside the reserve. Churches, the icon gallery and routes each offer a different focus. When choosing Bachkovo as a place to stay, it helps to consider whether church and art history or longer trails in the surrounding area should shape your visit.

Bachkovo is about 8 km from Asenovgrad and 23 km southeast of Plovdiv. The village also serves as a gateway to the Central Rhodopes, with routes towards Pamporovo and Smolyan. Nearby, the historic Bachkovski Road pilgrimage route runs from Asen’s Fortress to Bachkovo Monastery, following sections of Roman and medieval roads. Asenovgrad is closer than Plovdiv; Bachkovo’s location southeast of Plovdiv and its routes towards the Central Rhodopes also provide different geographical reference points.

Churches and the Icon Gallery

At the monastery, the Church of the Holy Archangels offers a glimpse of an early building phase: it was built in the late 12th or early 13th century. Bachkovo is also home to the active Church of St Athanasius, built in 1848. The monastery museum’s icon gallery was added in 2022. Its icons date from the 13th to the 19th century, and most have been restored. The exhibition illustrates the stylistic development of Orthodox icon painting. Church architecture and icon painting thus offer distinct yet complementary ways to explore Bachkovo’s cultural history.

Two Routes, Different Time Commitments

The cultural route from the monastery via Kluviyata to the Chapel of the Holy Archangels takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. A four-hour hike leads from the monastery to the Marciganitsa Hut and passes through the biosphere reserve. The chapel route takes less time; the hike to the hut is the longer option and goes through the reserve. Trail conditions can change on either route, so check them before setting out.

Nature and Regional Cuisine

The Chervenata Stena Biosphere Reserve lies immediately beside the monastery and provides a habitat for rare fauna. Routes in the Chervenata Stena area offer views of the Slivodolsko waterfalls, rock bridges and caves. In the Chervenata Stena area, Haberlea rhodopensis blooms on the rocks each spring, with sky-blue flowers. For nature lovers, this flowering is a specific reason to plan a visit for spring.

For many years, the Chepelarska, locally known as the Chaya, supplied trout to Bachkovo Monastery. Restaurants in the area serve trout, though individual offerings may change. The dish therefore connects the monastery’s history with a present-day dining option nearby. If you specifically want to try trout, check the current menu at your chosen restaurant in advance.

Discover more destinations: Kosovo, Asenovgrad, Cherven, Novakovo, Narechen

For the broader travel overview: Asenovgrad.