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Rila Monastery, Rila

4.8

#1 of 6 in Things to do in Rila

Historic Site Religious Site Must See

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Visit Rila Monastery, the oldest religious center in the Slavic world, to appreciate the harmony between architecture and painting. The students of St. Ivan of Rila built the monastery in the 10th century near the hermit ascetic's cave and tomb. This World Heritage site is a cultural and spiritual center of Bulgarian national consciousness. The main church features beautiful frescoes and a gold-plated iconostasis, famous for its wood carvings. Don't miss Rafail's Cross in the monastery museum, which depicts 104 religious scenes and includes 650 miniature figures. At the end of the 18th century, a monk named Rafail used magnifying lenses to whittle the wooden cross. It took him 12 years to complete the cross, and the work cost him his sight. Plan your Rila Monastery visit and explore what else you can see and do in Rila using our Rila trip itinerary builder tool .

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Rila Monastery Reviews

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1,872 reviews

• By decadelove

  ソフィア市内からバスで2時間以上かかる山奥にあるブルガリアを代表する世界一遺産です。珍しいゼブラ柄の教会と自然豊かな景観がきれいなのでぜひおすすめです。  more »

  It is one of Bulgaria's most famous heritage sites in the mountains, which takes more than two hours by bus from Sofia City. It is recommended by all means because the church of the rare zebra pattern and the scenery rich in nature are beautiful.
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• By DrachenElke

  Wunderschöne Wandmalereien im Kloster Rila in Bulgarien ;) Wer nach Bulgarien in die Berge fährt, muss das Rilagebirge mit dem Kloster gesehen haben. Es gehört zum UNESCO-Welterbe. Bulgarisches Highli...  more »

  Beautiful murals in The Monastery of Rila in Bulgaria ;) If you go to Bulgaria in the mountains, you must have seen the Rila Mountains with the monastery. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bulgarian Highlights in Rila National Park :)
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