"Rila Monastery" Top 5 Page for this destination Rilski Manastir by chbuchie

Rilski Manastir Travel Guide: 88 reviews and 295 photos

Rilski Manastery

Next to Sofia , Plovdiv and one of the 3 moutain chains, you should definitely take the time to visit the Monastery in Rila.

It is situated in the Rila mountain, at 1,147 meters above sea level.

It was founded in the l0th century by The Bulgarian monk St. John of Rila and rebuilt in the l3th -l4th century. In the l5th century, when Bulgaria fell to the Ottoman Turks, the monastery was abandoned for a short time but in the second half of the same century it was restored to a new life. Later it was for several times plundered and destroyed by fire. Its thorough renovation began in the early l9th century, when the residential wings and the church of the Holy Virgin were raised (1834-1837). The Rila Monastery has been listed as a world monument of culture by UNESCO in 1983.

Buses from Sofia bring you first to Rila town and then over a good asphalt road up in the mountains straight to the monastery’s gates .

Last visit to Rilski Manastir: Dec 2004
Intro Written Oct 24, 2005
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Reviews (10)

Beautiful roof Things to Do (6)

from different viewpoints the roof of the orthodox church looks great more travel advice

Washing machine Local Customs (1)

you don't see a natural washing machine every day, the power of water turning around the huge bin serves to wash the... more travel advice

Rila Monastery in the middle ofthe mountain forest - Rilski Manastir

Rila Monastery in the middle ofthe... Off The Beaten Path (1)

just as you walk out at the back of the complex you'll find a restaurant and a bakery + a road that runs through the... more travel advice

as always , all signs in cyrillic - Rilski Manastir

on the way to Rila Monastery Transportation (1)

From Sofia buses leave straight to Rila town (where there is absolutely nothing to see other than a bus stop) there... more travel advice

Hotels (1)
Sleeping in Rila Monastery

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Comments (5)

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JuliaMac Dec 14, 2011 at 6:37 AM

Nice pics from Rila Monastery!!! I like it very much! Thanks
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matcrazy1 Mar 16, 2006 at 8:06 AM

Outstanding photographs of the most beautiful and the best known Bolgarian monastery.
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el_ruso Nov 1, 2005 at 10:47 PM

wonderful photos!
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morgenhund Oct 30, 2005 at 8:52 AM

I think I'm going to have to discover Bulgaria before other people do! Mike
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lillyia Oct 29, 2005 at 2:43 PM

Hi, great short&funny comments. Now I know there is 'tepavitsa' at the RM too. I knew about the Etara one, but not about this. Just visited your Pirin pages and now I'm heading to the 'Rila' ones. I hope you enjoy your trip(s) here. Welcome back!