Rila Monastery, Bulgaria, Kari Gröhn, karigrohncom, The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, Bulgarian: Рилски манастир, Rilski manastir, is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117km south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rila River (Rilska River) at an elevation of 1,147m above sea level. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876-946), and houses around 60 monks.

Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments.

свернуть