The monastery was founded by Prince Grigol Bakuriani, prominent Georgian statesman and military commander in Byzantine service in 1083. Since XIII century on Georgians lost their domination over the monastery. Nevertheless Georgian traditions were preserved until the beginning of XIV century.
The only part that has survived from its original structure is the charnel house with an interesting architectural design. Another building, which has survived, is the church "Saint Archangels" dating back to the XII century, the ground floor of which was painted by Zachari Zograf and his students in 1841. Unique frescoes were discovered in the dining room of the monastery featuring ancient philosophers and writers. The cathedral church of the Virgin Mary (dating from 1604) is the place where a most valuable icon of the Virgin Mary Eleusa, dated from 1310 is kept (brought from Georgia). The museum of the Monastery has a rich exhibition of church plate, icons, books, the sword of Friedrich Barbarossa, the Crusader, the Sultan's firman from 1452, the wood carved cross with miniatures. A fresco of the Doomsday, painted by Zachari Zograf in 1850 is retained in Saint Nicholas Church and it is one of the most interesting works of art of the Bulgarian Revival. It is believed that the founder of Tarnovo Literary School, Patriarch Evtimii was exiled by the Turks and died here in XIV century. The broad branches of a Diasperus Lotus tree, brought from Georgia more than two centuries ago stretch over the courtyard. Bachkovo Monastery is directly subordinated to the Holy Synod of Bulgaria.
Monasteries in Bulgaria :: Rila mionastery :: Bachkovo :: Troyan
In the early l6th century the monastery was destroyed by the Turkish conquerors to be restored in the late l6th century.
Dryanovo Monastery of St. Archangel Michael was founded in the l2th century and is in close proximity to the summer residence of the Bulgarian rulers from the Assen dynasty.
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