"New Bulgaria Page" Bulgaria by socrates_07

Bulgaria Travel Guide: 7,586 reviews and 16,616 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)

Sharrie Jun 25, 2003 at 3:06 AM Report Abuse

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

very famous place
acemj Apr 30, 2002 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

Interesting monastery info.
cobrioc Mar 31, 2002 at 7:57 PM Report Abuse

Super
margaretvn Jan 26, 2002 at 9:29 AM Report Abuse

great photo
yeah_baby Jan 22, 2002 at 2:53 PM Report Abuse

love that monastery!
Geoff_Wright Jan 16, 2002 at 2:06 AM Report Abuse

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

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

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

Rila Monastery looks impressive