Monastery of Saint John of Rila

The Rila Monastery is an Orthodox religious complex in Rila Municipality, Bulgaria, set in the mountains at about 1,147 meters above sea level. The site consists of several buildings arranged in a rectangular layout that surrounds a central courtyard with a main church and a tower.

Saint John of Rila founded this place in 946, which later became the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Over the centuries the complex was expanded and restored several times, especially after fires and destruction during the Ottoman period.

The site serves as a spiritual center for the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and pilgrims visit to venerate the relics of Saint John of Rila. The frescoes on the walls show biblical scenes and saints from Orthodox tradition, which worshippers view during prayer and religious ceremonies.

The drive from Sofia takes about two hours and follows mountain roads that can be snowy in winter. Visitors can stay overnight on site and join guided tours that run throughout the year.

The museum displays a wooden cross called Rafail's Cross, which a monk carved from a single piece of wood over twelve years. The carving contains 104 religious scenes and tiny figures that are best viewed with a magnifying glass.

Location: Rila

Location: Kyustendil

Inception: 946

Founders: John of Rila

Elevation above the sea: 1,147 m

Part of: Rila Monastery, 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria

Phone: +35970542208

Website: https://rilskimanastir.org

GPS coordinates: 42.13333,23.34028

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:10