The Bachkovo Monastery is the second largest Orthodox stauropegial monastery of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church after Rila. It is located in the region of the Rhodope Mountains on the right bank of the Chai River, 35 km from Pamporovo.

The Bachkovo Monastery of the Assumption of the Mother of God was founded in 1083. The only surviving part of the monastery from the time of its foundation is the crypt, located 300 meters from the more modern monastery buildings. The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1604, is the location of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Tenderness", which attracts many pilgrims. Medieval buildings also include the Church of the Holy Archangel, the basement of which was painted by the most famous Bulgarian artist of the National Revival era - Zakhary Zograf. The museum of the monastery is proud of its rich collection of books, icons, keeps the sword of Frederick Barbarossa.