From Plovdiv: Bachkovo Monastery & Sacred Churches Tour

Discover the spiritual heritage of the Rhodope region on a half-day trip from Plovdiv. Visit the historic Bachkovo Monastery and two remarkable churches near Asenovgrad.
Begin with pickup from Plovdiv and travel toward Asenovgrad, an area renowned for its churches, monasteries, sacred traditions, and centuries-old connection to the Orthodox faith.

Your journey includes three distinctive religious sites, each with its own story, atmosphere, and local traditions.

Start with the Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin in Gorni Voden, known for the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God called the “Golden Apple.” Discover the centuries-old tradition behind the icon and the story recorded in 1765 of a woman who, according to local tradition, conceived after praying at the church. The tradition continues today, with apples playing an important role in the annual celebration dedicated to the miraculous icon.

Continue to one of Asenovgrad’s most intriguing churches — The Church of the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God, locally known as the Fish Church. Its unusual nickname comes from the small fish that live in the sacred spring inside the church. Local tradition connects the spring and its fish with faith, prayer, and blessings.

The site has much older origins, with elements connected to a medieval church dating to the 12th–13th centuries. The church is also known for its miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God and its connection to the Bachkovo Monastery.

The final major stop is the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery, set against the beautiful landscape of the Rhodope Mountains. Founded in 1083, Bachkovo is the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the country’s most important Orthodox landmarks. Its long history combines Georgian, Byzantine, and Bulgarian cultural influences.

Walk through the monastery courtyards, admire its historic architecture and frescoes, and visit the main Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin. Inside is another of Bulgaria’s revered miraculous icons of the Virgin Mary. The monastery also has connections with important figures in Bulgarian history, including Patriarch Euthymius of Tarnovo, who was exiled here after the fall of the medieval Bulgarian capital.

Take some free time to explore the monastery and its surroundings before beginning the comfortable journey back to Plovdiv.

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Bu geziyi, gezinin başlangıcından 24 saat öncesine kadar ücretsiz olarak iptal edebilirsiniz. 24 saatten sonra iptal ederseniz veya geziye katılmazsanız, etkinliğin tam fiyatı sizden tahsil edilecektir. Alım veya kalkışta geç kalmak, katılmamak olarak kabul edilecektir.