DAY TRIPS FROM PLOVDIV - BACHKOVO MONASTRY

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This is one of the most important and also one of most often visited monastries in Bulgaria. The Bachkovo Monastery was founded as long ago as 1083 and despite being burnt and destroyed on several occasions there are still parts of the monastry, that are amazingly still intact, that go back to the 10th and 12th centuries.

The most interesting parts of the monastry are the Charnel house and the 12th century St Archangels church. However if medieval history is one of your passions then a visit to the museum part will hold your interest for quite some time - there are numerous books, icons and a sword belong to the crusader, Frederick Barbarossa that are certainly well worth a closer look. You can also stay here the monastry has accommodation for about 200 people, the cost is ridiculously low, only a few levs per night.

You will find that Bachkovo Monastery is easy to get to, the capital, Sofia is only 88 km away and Plovdiv is barely 30 km away. If you are staying in Smolyan, Chepelare or Pamporovo you will also have the added advantage of using the regular and fast Smolyan to Plovdiv coach route.

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Bachkovo monastry is only 29 km away from Plovdiv and less than 10km away from Assenovgrad. This is one of the most popular monastries in Bulgaria and is nearly a 1000 years old. It also has an interesting museum and cheap accommodation for about 200 people.

By http://www.hiday.net/