Rila Monastery
The Rila monastery is situated in the Rila mountain, at 1,147 meters above sea level. It is approximately 117km away from Sofia to the south, and is the most popular among all monasteries in Bulgaria not only due to its size, but also because of its natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history. The Rila monastery is surrounded by the small mountain rivers of Rilska and Drushlyavitsa and is only 4 hours walking distance from the Malyovitsa peak, rising at 2,729 meters above sea level. The highest peak of the Rila mountain, Mousala (2925 meters), which is also the Balkan peninsula’s highest point (and the Bulgaria’s highest peak), is further away at about 8 hours’ walk. The Rila monastery offers a great view to the surrounding peaks of the mountain and represents a developed tourist sight with all the accompanying facilities such as souvenir shops, restaurants and inns.
The Rila monastery is believed to have been founded by a hermit, John of Rila, in the 10th century, during the reign of the Bulgarian Tzar Peter (927-968). The monastery is thought to have been built by his scholars, who came to the place to be taught by him.
The entire complex is quite famous for its size. The 4-floor residential part consists of no less than 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library and guestrooms for donors. The kitchen is quite interesting for its really huge cooking vessels. The exterior of the monastery is no less intriguing for its high stone walls (reaching 4 floors and even more at some places) cut through by 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 that time, the monks created new works and made copies of medival Bulgarian authors, representing mainly the Turnovo and Mount Athos schools.
The Rila monastery was declared a national historical monument in 1976, while in 1983 it was inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
The entire complex is quite famous for its size. The 4-floor residential part consists of no less than 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library and guestrooms for donors. The kitchen is quite interesting for its really huge cooking vessels. The exterior of the monastery is no less intriguing for its high stone walls (reaching 4 floors and even more at some places) cut through by 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 that time, the monks created new works and made copies of medival Bulgarian authors, representing mainly the Turnovo and Mount Athos schools.
The Rila monastery was declared a national historical monument in 1976, while in 1983 it was inscribed in UNESCO’s list of world heritage.
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