Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery

Attraction Introduction

Rila Monastery, located about 60 kilometers south of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. In 1983, UNESCO listed Rila Monastery as a cultural heritage site in the World Heritage List.

Rila Monastery covers an area of 0.088 square kilometers and is the largest monastery in Bulgaria. It was first built in the 10th century AD. The layout of the monastery is rigorous, resembling a medieval castle. Originally, the monastery was built near the cave where Bulgaria’s first hermit, St. Ivan of Rila, lived. It was relocated to its current site during the 13th–14th centuries. In the early 14th century, the monastery was destroyed by an earthquake. It was later rebuilt and fortified with strong castle-like structures.

Rila Monastery is a center of architecture, art, religion, and education. It consists of 11 churches and 20 residential buildings constructed between the 14th and 19th centuries. The oldest structure is the commemorative tower built in 1335, which stands 22 meters tall and has five floors. It is made entirely of red bricks and stone, with narrow windows and numerous firing holes. The top houses a private chapel, decorated with paintings depicting scenes from the life of Jesus and other 16th-century murals. The interior walls of the chapel are adorned with many masterful and splendid frescoes.

Inside Rila Monastery, there are hermit cells, prayer rooms, a library, guest rooms, and more. The central church of the monastery, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built between 1834 and 1837. It features 24 domes, three naves, two choir lofts on either side, and three cupolas above, all surrounded by a colonnade. The frescoes inside the church are among the most outstanding works of 19th-century Bulgarian religious art.

In 1961, Rila Monastery became a national museum. It houses a collection of over 600 artifacts, including Bulgaria’s second globe, the cross of the blind monk Raphael, episcopal staffs from various eras, embroidered vestments, royal items, silver belt buckles donated by pilgrim women, handicrafts, and a variety of weapons used by the monastery guards.

During the Turkish invasions, the monastery was burned down three times. However, residents from across Bulgaria transported large quantities of stones, timber, and mortar to aid in its restoration. Soon after, Rila Monastery regained its former glory, becoming a masterpiece of Bulgarian Revival architecture.

Sofia, Bulgaria