- Rila Monastery - The Rila Monastery was founded in the 30-th years of X century on the place of the Old Anchoress in Rila Mountain. While the monastery has been existing, it was many times rebuilt, destroyed and reconstructed. Today the Rila Monastery has had this appearance since the middle of the previous century. It is the biggest and the most respected Bulgarian monastery.
It is considered that the creator of the Rila Monastery is the first Bulgarian hermit Ivan Rilsky (876-946), he chose to live in this way as a method of spiritual perfection and a way to express his protest against the suppression of the high moral rules of the real Christianity. The Bulgarian saint was born in the 70-th years of IX century. He was a witness of the decline of the First Bulgarian Kingdom at the time of king Peter I and Saint Ivan Rilsky became the most respected saint in the Orthodox Christianity in that time. At the time of the Byzantine slavery the established brotherhood was turned into a monastery. At the beginning of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom the relics of Saint Ivan Rilsky was displaced to the capital of the country Veliko Tarnovo as the most important relic for the Bulgarians.
Entrance ticket will include the history museum and Tower of Hrelio, Ethnografic museum, Bulgarian renaissance guestrooms and Monastery farm.
- General entry to the venue
- Electronic guide for the Monastery
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Additional entrance fees for other sights inside approx. 8 EUR
Spend a day visiting the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, commonly referred to as the Rila Monastery, the most renowned and grandest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Situated at an altitude of 1147 meters amidst the aromatic evergreen woods of Rila Mountain, the monastery constitutes a grand complex of cultural, residential, and farming structures, spanning approximately 8800 square meters. The architecture of the Rila Monastery is unparalleled. From the outside, it resembles a fortress, boasting 24-meter stone walls that create an irregular pentagon layout. This is why visitors entering the monastery courtyard through either of the two iron gates are invariably awed by its architectural features: archways and colonnades, sheltered wooden staircases and intricately carved verandas, and between 300-400 monastic cells.
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
