That rila monastery survived nearly 1100 years is a testament to this fact. Would you recommend visiting the rila monastery in bulgaria. At the heart of this monasterys history is the story of the medieval hermit ivan. Sofia rila monastery and boyana church guided day trip 2020. Lets get back to when we passed by the monastery and headed some 5. Ivan rilski the site of an old hermitage in the rila mountains at 1100 m altitude.
Bgn 8 per person, special item is the wooden rafail cross the hrelyo defense tower. Our guide, simeon, was very friendly and knowledgable about the history of rila monastery and seven rila lakes we visited. Because of its impressive architecture, valuable frescoes and icons rila monastery proudly takes its place among the 9 tourist sites in bulgaria included in the list of unesco world heritage since 1983. Rila monastery is the most important architectural monument in the mountain range. Rila monastery in bulgaria, the place that keeps years. Book 24h or more in advance and get a 10% discount for your rila monastery day tour. The monastery played a key role in preserving bulgarian culture and language during these times. Rila monastery, or rather the treasury of bulgaria, is blooming like an evergreen and magnificent flower in the bosom of rila mountain, in the place where the rivers drushlyavitsa and rilska join. The monastery is considered to be a cultural and spiritual centre of bulgaria. This world heritage site is a cultural and spiritual center of bulgarian national consciousness. A short hike of 1520 min one way to the cave of st ivan of rila. The rila monastery collection of printed books the earliest of which date from early 16th century comprises valuable items. Rila monastery shuttle is the original tour to rila monastery and boyana church by v travel ltd. With only one day to spend sightseeing for rila mt.
I was worried it might be a tourist trap, but it was stunningly enchanting in person. A night in the rila monastery a night in the rila monastery s. At this time the rila monastery became a place of pilgrimage. Aug 01, 2018 the rila monastery history museum boasts extremely rich collections. How to visit rila monastery from sofia history fangirl. They include philosophic theological literature, basic monk ascetic compositions, pathetic and applied collections, historical essays, basic biblical books. If you find yourself in bulgaria, i highly recommend taking a day trip to this unesco selected monastery complex. The monastery, also translated as rilski manastir, sits isolated in the mountains and next to an arm of the rilski river. Visitors cant fail to be struck by its elegant colonnades, archways striped in black, red and white, and the bright yellow domes of its main church, beneath which dance apocalyptic frescoes. Someone with an interest for the middle ages would find it somewhat more interesting t.
Owing to our photogallery, as well as the virtual tour, you will enjoy the opportunity to view in detail the inside of the monastery, the temple and a significant part of the museum. Here you will find useful information about the monastery and its structure, as well as about its founder saint john of rila wonder worker. At the heart of this monastery s history is the story of the medieval hermit ivan. The monastery is set deep in the heart of rila mountain, between the rilska and drushliavitza rivers, at 1147 meters 3760 feet above sea level. Would you recommend visiting the rila monastery in. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Visiting rila monastery in bulgaria on a day trip from sofia.
The monastery is functioning as an orthodox temple. A strict dress code is imposed and should be respected. It is not absolutely mandatory that you do a booking in the rila monastery, but just so you are sure that youll have a bed i strongly recommend you find a bulgarian friend to call them for you. Rila monastery, historic monastery and cultural site in the rhodope. Rising out of a forested valley in the rila mountains, bulgarias most famous monastery has been a spiritual centre for over years. The rila monastery has a rich history of over years. Rila monastery in bulgaria, the place that keeps years of history. There you can taka a walking tour around and explore the historical part of the city, go shopping and have lunch in. See all 73 rila monastery tickets and tours on tripadvisor.
The rila monastery collection of printed books the earliest of which date from early 16 th century comprises valuable items. Welcome to the official web page of the holy monastery of. Traveling by minibus, admire rural bulgaria on route to the rila monastery in the pine. Browse expedias selection of 366 hotels and places to stay closest to rila monastery. Pre book tickets to rila monastery to explore a unesco world heritage site with more than 1,000 years of history, plus hrelio tower, the ethnographic museum, guestrooms, and the monastery farm. How to get to rila monastery ultimate guide free sofia. Founded in the 10th century, the rila monastery is regar. Daily guided tour to rila monastery and boyana church from. Rila monastery world heritage site pictures, info and. He was born in the 970s, and chose seclusion because of the moral decline during the reign of the bulgarian tsar peter. Ethnographic museum, tower of hrelio, bulgarian renaissance guestrooms and monastery farm. Rila is a symbol of bulgarian national identity, and it is the most prominent monastery of the bulgarian orthodox church.
Sofiabulgaria tour rila monastery, the holiest place in. Find out what visiting rila monastery on a day trip from sofia is like in this post. Rila monastery is the most visited sightseeing place in bulgaria, a unesco world heritage sight since 1981. Sorry for the late upload but i have a accident with my bike and this is one of the.
Rila monastery is regarded as a symbol of bulgaria. Bgn 5 per person the old monastery kitchen and agriculture museum. Daily guided tour to rila monastery and boyana church from sofia. Rila monastery and boyana church day tour from sofia. The rila monastery is the largest and most famous eastern orthodox monastery in bulgaria. Taking the bus from sofia you will ha ve at least two full hours of free time at the rila monastery to explore the most visited unesco site in bulgaria, enter the main church no entry fees and take photos of the narthexs gallery, admire the exhibits in the history. In the beginning of the 19th century there was a revival in bulgarian culture which ultimately lead to expelling of the ottoman tyrants and the creation of modern bulgaria. Find out what visiting rila monastery on a day trip from sofia.
The rila monastery was established in the 10 th century by the first bulgarian hermit john of rila, declared a saint while he was still alive. It is situated in southwestern bulgaria and forms part of the. Protected by the terrain, the monks maintained nearperfect continuity with minor lapses throughout the end of byzantine rule, the second bulgarian kingdom, the ottoman conquest, the bulgarian revival, the turbulence of the balkan wars and world war i, world war ii. Each year, thousands make the trip to see the monastery s colorful church in the mountains.
The first monastery was several kilometres upper in the mountain, in the area where the hermit used to live and pray. Rila monastery is the most gorgeous, peaceful and authentic place in bulgaria. Rila monastery and boyana church day trip on the go tours. On display, you can see numerous books, chalices, crosses, icons, certificates, as well as gifts from pilgrims, political, and religious leaders. The monastery is set deep in the heart of rila mountain, between the rilska and drushliavitza rivers, at 1147 metres 3760 feet above sea level. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. There you can taka a walking tour around and explore the historical part of the city, go shopping and have lunch in a traditional restaurant. The history of rila monastery the rila monastery was established in the 10 th century by the first bulgarian hermit john of rila, declared a saint while he was still alive. For example, if youre more into roman history, then there are other sites in bulgaria which would be much more relevant. During its centuriesold existence he endured years of progress and destruction. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Each year, thousands make the trip to see the monasterys colorful church in the mountains. We organize variety of day trips from bansko to rila monastery, plovdiv and some of the most famous bulgarian landmarks.
The shuttle tour is running every day from sofia in small groups with englishspeaking live guide, comfortable vans with wifi and air conditioning on board. Rila is a symbol of bulgarian national identity, and it is the most prominent monastery of the bulgarian. Booking rila monastery tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with the flexibility to arrive at any time of day, without being. Visit rila monastery, the oldest religious center in the slavic world, to appreciate the harmony between architecture and painting. The items trace the evolution of the monastery and show its cultural, educational, and spiritual importance through the centuries. The exhibits are thematically grouped and trace the evolution of the monastery and its cultural, religious and nationconsolidation role. Rila monastery is the first thing that comes to your mind when you have friends from abroad visiting. It is situated in a valley of the rila massif, some 70 miles 110 km south of sofia. The rila monastery is one of bulgarias symbols and a popular tourist destination. Owing to our photogallery, as well as the virtual tour, you will enjoy the opportunity to view in detail the inside of the monastery, the temple and a significant part of the museum collections of the. Visit rila monastery on your trip to rila or bulgaria inspirock. In 1983 it was added to the unesco world heritage list. The monastery of saint ivan of rila, better known as the rila monastery is the largest and most famous eastern orthodox monastery in bulgaria.
From prices and availability to skiptheline options and mobile tickets, get all the information you need to make the most of your trip to bulgaria. Our tour guide, met, was incredibly knowledgeable about the mountains, the art and architecture of the monastery, and the history of bulgaria. The rila mountains, 70km south of sofia, inspire awe for their spiritual history and stark beauty. But theres a reason for that no surprise its one of the nine unesco world heritage sites in bulgaria. Apr 27, 2014 rila monastery the biggest monastery in bulgaria is situated at an altitude of 1174 m above the sea level. It is situated at an altitude of 1,147 m and was declared a unescos world heritage site in 1983. Buy rila monastery on free shipping on qualified orders. Founded in the 10th century, the rila monastery is regarded as one of bulgarias most important cultural, historical and architectural.
The rila monastery was founded in the beginning of the 10th century by st. Rila monastery is a twohour drive south, up into the sublime rila mountains. Rila monastery, rila 2643 bulgaria rila monastery is one of bulgarias symbols and a popular tourist destination. History in the early centuries of christianity, the lands of eastern europe had long been neglected by christian missionary efforts, who instead preferred to stick to the familiar old confines of the roman empire and to a lesser extent the german lands. In the video i am showing you the bulgarian nature and the the rila monastery. Owing to our photogallery, as well as the virtual tour, you will enjoy the opportunity to view in detail the inside of the monastery, the temple and a significant part of the museum collections of the holy monastery. We did the rila monastery and rila lakes combined tourboth were worth visiting, in very different ways.
The rila monastery is a unesco world heritage site. Rila monastery s fortresslike complex engulfs 8800 sq m, and within its stone walls youll find remarkably colourful architecture and religious art. One of the most popular bansko day tour is the one to sofia. How to get to rila monastery ultimate guide free sofia tour. I will dare to be accused of blasphemy and even say that sometimes it feels a bit of a cliche. Rila monastery is definitely a mustsee if you are a tourist with a free day in sofia. The 10 closest hotels to rila monastery tripadvisor. Beware that the monastery area and rila town are touristic but yet rural places, so if you are looking for standard hotel level of accomodation, best choose one of the spa hotels in cities of blagoevgrad or even sandanski. Rila monastery a symbol of bulgarian history lucky bansko. Rila monasterys fortresslike complex engulfs 8800 sq m, and within its stone walls youll find remarkably colourful architecture and religious art. Ivan of rila built the monastery in the 10th century near the hermit ascetics cave and tomb. Visitors cant fail to be struck by its elegant colonnades, archways striped in black, red and white, and the bright yellow. Home blog rila monastery a symbol of bulgarian history.
The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes a work of one of the most famous bulgarian revival period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views. All restaurants in the area of the rila monastery are closed until further notice, due to the state of emergency in bulgaria. Welcome to the official web page of the holy monastery of rila. The rila monastery history museum boasts extremely rich collections.
Public transportation from there to rila monastery is available, and i guess the hotels also offer daily tours to the monastery. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Discover two of bulgarias unesco world heritage gems on this day trip from sofia. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. The monastery of saint ivan of rila, better known as the rila monastery bulgarian. He retreated to the almost inaccessible rila mountains. Rila monastery, historic monastery and cultural site in the rhodope mountains of southwestern bulgaria. The monastery supported book publishing, a library and archives, and.
Rila monastery can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot. In the beginning of the 19th century there was a revival in bulgarian culture which ultimately lead to expelling of the ottoman tyrants and the creation of modern. Aug 07, 2016 the best mekitsi in bulgaria are made behind rila monastery make sure you try them. Rila is a symbol of bulgarian national identity, and it is the most. Rila monastery is the largest and most wellknown eastern orthodox monastery in bulgaria. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. The ancient thracians called them mountains of water. The rila monastery history museum possesses a rich collection of extremely valuable exhibits both in the exposition halls and in the monastery vaults. Visit rila monastery on your trip to rila or bulgaria. Apr 27, 2018 rila monastery is the largest and most wellknown eastern orthodox monastery in bulgaria. The air is mountain air, stray dogs play at the entrance and.
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