Rila monastery – Rilski Manastir
In the mountains of Rila, in altitude 1.147 m. the river valley Manastirska It is built in Rila Monastery or Monastery of St. John of Rila or Rilski Nanstrir. It is one of the most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments of Bulgaria and the Balkans in general. Located in a great natural beauty landscape, built in area 8.800 m2, next to the river.
THE Saint John of Rila (St.Ivan Rilski, 876 – 946 ) It is considered the patron saint of Bulgaria as was the 1th monk country. Born in the village Skrino, near Sofia during the reign of Peter the Bulgarian. Having lonely slope, first went to a Single and then climbed Mount Rila, who ascetic in a cave, near the present site of the Abbey. The monastery was founded in 10The century. the students of St. John of Rila, in honor of. The 1976 proclaimed National Historic Site Bulgaria and the 1983 belongs to UNESCO World Heritage of UNESCO.
The Abbey externally surrounded by tall walls, height 24 m., defensive character. Inside there is a courtyard, 3.200 m2 around which is built around buildings, four floors, serving the needs of the monastery.
ENTRANCE OF SINGLE AS seen from patio
EXTERIOR VIEW OF CELL
Specifically in the courtyard you will see :
- the Church "Nativity of Mary"Or"Virgin Birth», is formula basilica with 5 domes and 3 Saints Banks. It was built between 1834-1837, by architect Pavel Ioannof.
- the 4 chapels
- the tower Hrely (1334 – 1335) with a small church next to it (1343)
- the hospice
- the 300 cells that occupy the 60 monks
- ancillary areas
- Library, with rare books and manuscripts
- the Monastery Museum, with valuable images (14th -19th ).
The architecture of the church, the arches are abroad and painting the stripes are influenced by Mamelukes (Arabic mamlouk - slave), made popular mainly in Ottoman Empire, after the conquest of Egypt by Turks (1517).
Inside the church you will see the impressive gilded carved iconostasis, latitudinal 10 m. for which worked 4 artisans on 5 years and the Episcopal throne (1th century.). the frescoes, completed in 1946, is different Bulgarian artists from iconography schools Bansko, of Samokov and Razlog. Some beautiful colored frescoes signed by the artist Zahari Zogkraf. The Zogkraf born in Samokov, a town N. of wisdom. My father, was Hristo Dimitrov, the founder of the Samokov School of Painting.
In the church are the relics of St. John of Rila and the cenotaph with his heart Tsar Boris G. Bulgaria. The right hand of St. John of Rila is situated in Greece, namely the Holy Monastery Kechrovouni Tinos, in the Cyclades. In the museum you will see the famous Cross by Raphael, a wooden cross (81 X 43 from.) which was carved by the monk Raphael, the use of a thin cutter and magnifier. The monk carving on 12 years in wooden cross 140 religious representations and 650 forms. The cross was completed in 1802 but the monk Raphael in the end lost the light of.
INTERIOR Kelly
INTERIOR Kelly
The interior of the cells is simple and monks have as their purpose of prayer and worship to God.
The monastery is celebrated on male and 18 August and 19 October (information, tel. : +35970542208). The monastery owned by the 1991 the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria and you will see it in the notes 1 lev issued in 1999, where on one side is St. John of Rila and the back of the Rila Monastery.
The EXTERNAL SPACE OF RILA MONASTERY
The BACK GATE OF MONASTERY LEADING IN OUTER SPACE
You can browse through the woods to the river, to picnic or sit for coffee or food at Rilski Manastir or Rila Monasteries Restaurant (tel. +359 705 422 80) and to Monastery’s Bakery.
Outside the walls of the monastery are of sale with religious and ethnic souvenirs.
STAY AROUND THE RILA MONASTERY
Hlebna Bungalows, 1,5 km from the Monastery
Rilets Resort Spa, 1,5 km from the Monastery
Pchelina Hotel, 3 km from the Monastery
Camping Bor, 1,3km from the Monastery
PCCESS
The Rila Monastery is located 117 km, N. Sofia and is 95 km from the town of Samokov (Samokov). Following the provincial road 107 You will get to Rila Monastery.
useful information
You should have your lev (lv or BGN) as in Bulgaria do not take euros or another currency. Divided into bills 1,2,5,10,20,50 lv. There are coins 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 stotinki but product prices will see it listed as 0,50 lv instead 50 hundredths.
1 lv = 0,51€.
