Bachkovo Monastery

Our first stop will be Bachkovo Monastery – the second in size and importance monastery in Bulgaria. Build as a center of Georgian monasticism the cloister witnessed the great struggles between the Byzantine Empire and the Bulgarian Kingdom. It served as a clashing point of many cultures and religions, finally to came under the authority of the Bulgarian Exarchate in 1894. Follow your leader, who is by profession an art historian, to understand more about the history and symbolism embedded in the beautiful murals on the church walls and the rich collections of jewelry, coins, and old manuscripts preserved in the library.

Entering the central parts of the Rhodope Mountains, we will stop by the architectural village of Shiroka Laka, immersing ourselves in the authentic lifestyle of its dwellers. The old houses perched on both sides of the river bed represent the typical traits of the region’s architecture style. You will have the opportunity to pop in some of the well-preserved houses and admire the beauty of their detailed wooden interiors. As the birthplace of the magical Rhodope music, Shiroka Laka will reveal the secrets of the unique method of folklore singing and back pipe playing which originated in this area centuries ago. During such a cultural encounter, it is not possible to miss learning about the mystical culinary traditions of the local people. You will be welcomed in a traditional house for lunch where your hosts will enchant you with their stories and delicious specialties.