Bachkovo Monastery

It was wonderful to leave the hustle and bustle of Plovdiv behind and immerse ourselves in this monastic complex. There seems to be no square centimeter in the monastery church that isn't painted with saints and salvation history. The old Jerusalem cedar and an equally ancient plane tree provide shade for the courtyards. On the first floor, there is a covered veranda-like walkway from which the cells and accommodations for pilgrims branch off, allowing one to walk around the entire monastery. The mountains of the Rhodope range surrounding are enticing for hiking.