Hidden in a beautiful valley south of Plovdiv, Backovo Monastery, founded in 1083, is Bulgaria's second largest after Rila. Looking out over the Bulgarian landscape, the monastery has known turbulent times (captured by the Ottomans in 1363, pillaged by Cherkassians in 1450, fires, earthquakes...) which has earned it a special place in the heart of every Bulgarian. Visitors to the country should not miss it.