"New Bulgaria Page" Bulgaria by socrates_07

Bulgaria Travel Guide: 5,866 reviews and 16,829 photos

Rila Monastery

The most impressive monument from the Bugarian National Revival period rises amidst the rugged beauty of the Rila Mountain, just 120 km from Sofia. Having survived the times with the self-confidence of the most zealous guard of the Bulgarian spirit and language, it still fascinates present-day visitor with the pure and harmonious line of the buildings' exquisite colonnades, arches and vaults, spacious rooms richly decorated with murals and fretwork.
The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century.
The monastery also houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books.

Last visit to Bulgaria: Aug 1985
Intro Written Nov 18, 2000
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Comments (28)

Reply
- Report abuse
Sharrie Jun 25, 2003 at 3:06 AM

This is ancient! I commented on this page in Christmas 2001! Oops! Go, Oliver, GO!!!
Reply
- Report abuse
fabrice Jul 23, 2002 at 3:41 AM

very famous place
Reply
- Report abuse
acemj Apr 30, 2002 at 4:02 PM

Interesting monastery info.
Reply
- Report abuse
cobrioc Mar 31, 2002 at 7:57 PM

Super
Reply
- Report abuse
margaretvn Jan 26, 2002 at 9:29 AM

great photo
Reply
- Report abuse
yeah_baby Jan 22, 2002 at 2:53 PM

love that monastery!
Reply
- Report abuse
Geoff_Wright Jan 16, 2002 at 2:06 AM

That`s a great photo. Nice page.
Reply
- Report abuse
kenHuocj Jan 15, 2002 at 3:27 AM

Now I want 2C Rila M`s Ancent manuscripts ;-)) fntstk rcmdtn
Reply
- Report abuse
ucbwalker Dec 13, 2001 at 12:40 PM

Wow, what a beautiful monastery!
Reply
- Report abuse
husain Dec 10, 2001 at 11:54 PM

Rila Monastery looks impressive