With more than 1000 years of history it impresses with both architectural and natural beauty. It’s one of the 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria, designated in 1983.
It’s the most outstanding monument of the Bulgarian National Revival period, an ultimate expression of the Bulgarian genius in matters of spirit, culture, architecture, construction, icon painting and woodcarving.
Rila Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgaria and is also a popular tourist destination. It lies in the recesses of Rila Mountain, between Rilska and Drushlyavitsa Rivers, at 1147 m above mean sea level. It is located about 120 km away from Sofia and 41 km away from Blagoevgrad.
Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria. During the 5 centuries when Bulgaria was under Othoman domination, it has been preserving the christianity and the culture of the country. It has also served as shelter for the persecuted revolutionaries and educational centre for all Bulgarians.
During the Bulgarian Revival Period (18th – 19th centuries) Rila Monastery set up approximately 50 metochions in the large Bulgarian towns and villages where some of the most well-educated Rila monks performed their religious rites, established schools, and brought pilgrims to the monastery.
In 1961 Rila Monastery was declared Rila Monastery National Museum. In 1976 it was declared a National Historical Reserve and in 1983 it was included in the List of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
In 1991 the state restored the monastic status of the cloister and closed Rila Monastery National Museum institution. Rila Monastry, Hrelyo’s Tower and the monastery buildings were declared a group architectural, artistic and historical complex of national importance by virtue of publication in State Gazette, issue No 73 of 1992.
The monastery is also famous for its library where lots of important Bulgarian written records are kept safe: about 250 manuscripts from XI-XIX century, 9000 old-printed books and others. The monastery complext has also a history museum with intruiging exposition – a historical collection of 35.000 exponents, rich collections of icons, wood-carvings, cultural and ethnographical items. Αpart of being a holly place for the Orthodox church, the monastery is also a spiritual, cultural and religious centre for all Bulgarians.