Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery is located in the highest Bulgarian mountain, Rila Mountain, at about 1,150 m above sea level. Some 117km away from Sofia to the south, the Rila Monastery is the biggest and most popular among all monasteries in Bulgaria mainly because of its rich historical background, natural surroundings, architecture, and beautiful wall paintings. It is only 4 hours walking distance from the Malyovitsa Peak, rising at 2,729 meters above sea level and one of Bulgaria’s famous ski resorts. The highest peak of the Rila mountain and of Bulgaria and the whole Balkan Peninsula, the Mousala Peak (2925 meters), is at about 8 hours’ walk from the Rila Monastery. The monastery is surrounded by two small mountain rivers and numerous mountain peaks that create the unique view of the monastery and its surroundings turning it into one of the top tourist sights in Bulgaria. In addition, the Rila Monastery complex offers all facilities such as souvenir shops, restaurants and mehanas (pubs) needed for an unforgettable tourist experience.
The Rila monastery is believed to have been founded in the 10th century by the hermit John of Rila (Ivan Rilski), during the reign of the Bulgarian Tzar Peter (927-968). The monastery itself is thought to have been built by his scholars. As already mentioned, the whole complex is quite famous for its size. The residential part possesses more than 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library, and several guestrooms, all situated on four floors. The exterior of the monastery is also interesting with its high stone walls dotted with numerous small windows.
Just like other Bulgarian monasteries which survived during Ottoman times, the Rila monastery has acted as a centre of spiritual and cultural life for the Bulgarian nation during the foreign rule. During the five-hundred-years long Ottoman domination, the monks created literary and educational works and made copies of medival Bulgarian authors keeping the Bulgarian culture and spirit from extinction. In 1976, the Rila Monastery was declared a national historical monument while in 1983 it was inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
Just like other Bulgarian monasteries which survived during Ottoman times, the Rila monastery has acted as a centre of spiritual and cultural life for the Bulgarian nation during the foreign rule. During the five-hundred-years long Ottoman domination, the monks created literary and educational works and made copies of medival Bulgarian authors keeping the Bulgarian culture and spirit from extinction. In 1976, the Rila Monastery was declared a national historical monument while in 1983 it was inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
