Rilski Manastir: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Rilski Manastir is described as a Bulgarian spiritual and literary centre. Founded in the first half of the 10th century, the monastery preserves manuscripts dating from the 11th century onwards in its library.

Culture

The Church-Historical Museum presents the history of the monastery from its foundation by Saint John of Rila to the end of the 19th century. Its collections include frescoes, icons, ecclesiastical vessels, liturgical vestments, processional crosses, manuscripts, old printed books and prints. The central exhibit is Rafail's Cross, created by the monk Rafail at the beginning of the 19th century.

The Icon Gallery displays 80 icons from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as 28 portraits of the monastery's abbots dating from 1860 to 2005. The Monastery Farm Museum preserves an old mill, a bread oven, woodworking tools and beekeeping equipment.

History

The Hrelyova Tower is the oldest surviving building of the monastery and was built in 1335. The Chapel of the Transfiguration in the Hrelyova Tower contains 14th-century frescoes. Guided discussions about the history of the monastery can be requested in Bulgarian, English or French.

Rila Monastery has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983 and classified as a characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Nature and Trails

The path to St Luke Hermitage passes by the Rilomanastirska Gora reserve. The Bachkova Fountain–Grave of St Ivan Rilski dendrological route features around 35 tree and shrub species with their Latin names.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Rilski Manastir can continue their accommodation search afterwards. Further reading: Smochevo, Rila.

To the higher-level travel overview: Rila.