Southwest Bulgaria

Rila Monastery

Рилски манастир — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular and beautiful places in all of Bulgaria — one of the centers of both the religious and cultural spirit of the Bulgarian nation. Founded in the 10th century, it is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the northwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km 73 mi south of the capital Sofia. It is traditionally thought that the monastery was founded by the hermit St.John of Rila Ivan Rilski, whose name it bears, during the rule of Tsar Peter I 927-968.

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