This is one of the oldest monasteries in the Bulgarian lands. It rises in the picturesque Chepelare river valley, 25 km south of Plovdiv. Founded in 1083, the monastery is known and appreciated for the unique combination of Byzantine, Caucasian and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. Currently, the museum of the Monastery has rich collections of old icons, jewelry, coins and church plate and its library preserves many valuable old manuscripts. Its most remarkable feature, however, are the paintings that are seen everywhere - in the church and charnel house. During the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Bachkovo monastery was patronized by Tsar Ivan Alexander, whose image can be seen on the arcs of the narthex of the charnel house. In addition, a fresco of the Doomsday, painted by Zahari Zograph in 1850, can be seen in the St Nicholas Church and is thought of as one of the most interesting works of art of the Bulgarian National Revival.