Monasteries in the Rhodope mountains
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Inactive monastery Most cloisters in the Rhodopes Mountain are concentrated around Assenovgrad which is also known as “the Little Jerusalem” because of the largest cluster of monasteries, churches and chapels in the whole country.
The second largest monastery in Bulgaria, Bachkovo Monastery, is also located in the region. Other interesting monasteries to visit, which are at the distance of no more than 20km from Assenovgrad, are Arapovski Monastery “St. Sunday”, Kuklen Monastery “St.st. Cosma and Damyan”, Belashtinski Monastery “St. George the Victorious”, „Belocherkovski Monastery “St. Peter and Pavel”, Muldavski Monastery “St. Petka”.
Other monasteries hidden in the Rhodopes are Krichimskiyat Monastery "Assumption" near Krichim, Sofia Kurdzhalijski monastery “St. John the Precursor” and the Ivaylovgrad Monastery in the Eastern Rhodopes.
Bachkovo Monastery "Virgin Mary"
The monastery was established in 1083 by the Great Domestik of Western Byzantine Garrisons, the Georgian, Grigorii Bakuriani. Due to its origin, the monastery combines three cultures – Byzantine, Georgian and Bulgarian. There are three churches in the monastery, the oldest one of which dated back to the 12th-13th century.
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Arapovski Monastery “St. Nedelya”
Arapovski Monastery was established in the middle of 19th century near an antique spring. The construction was done in 1856 and 3 years later the main church "St.Nedelya" was built. The most unique bulding in Arapovski Monastery is the church tower.
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Kuklen Monastery “St.St. Kosma and Damyan”
The Kuklen Monastery was established during the Second Bulgarian State and it was mentioned in the 11th century in a document describing the properties of the Bachkovo Monastery. It is believed that the monastery was named after the saint bothers Kozma and Damyan for their curative capabilities. The monastery emerged as a religious cloister around a spring of curable waters and according to the legend, it cures mental disorders.
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