Rila Monastery (Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila)

The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km (73 mi) south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River at an elevation of 1,147 m (3,763 ft) above sea level, inside of Rila Monastery Nature Park. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 - 946 AD).

Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. In 2008 alone, it attracted 900,000 visitors. The monastery is depicted on the reverse of the 1 lev banknote, issued in 1999.

  • Рилски манастир / Rila Monastery
  • Rila Monastery St. Ivan Rilski - X сentury / Рилски манастир Св. Иван Рилски / © by * Rosi *
  • Рилската Света обител - Rila Manastir
  • リラの僧院 The Rila Monastery
  • Рилски манастир,Rila Monastery
  • Monastery courtyard
  • Рилски манастир
  • Monasterio de Rila
  • Рилски манастир
  • Rila monastery inside
  • Рилски манастир~~~Rila monastery
  • Рилската Света обител - Monastero di Rila - Bulgaria
  • Rilski monastery
  • Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, the Rila Monastery

Country:
Bulgaria
Rating:
10
Latitude:
42,1334349
Longitude:
23,3401737
Wikipedia:
Link