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Rila Monastery is one of the symbols of Bulgaria and is also a popular tourist destination. The monastery lies in the recesses of Rila Mountain, between Rilska and Drushlyavitsa Rivers, at 1147 m above mean sea level. It is located about 120 km away from Sofia and 41 km away from Blagoevgrad.
Rila holy cloister was founded in the first half of the 10th century. Its history is directly related to St. Ivan of Rila, the first Bulgarian hermit, who settled in the region and devoted his life to fasting and prayers. The monastery was initially situated near the cave where the saint dwelled. After he passed away in 946, St. Ivan of Rila was buried in the cave in which he found solitude. Tsar Peter (who reigned in the period 927 – 969) brought the relics of the wonderworker from Rila to Sredets (Sofia). It was probably then when he was canonized as a saint. The relics were returned to Rila holy cloister in 1469.
In 1961 Rila Monastery was declared Rila Monastery National Museum. In 1976 it was declared a National Historical Reserve and in 1983 it was included in the List of World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO. In 1991 the state restored the monastic status of the cloister and closed Rila Monastery National Museum institution. Rila Monastry, Hrelyo Tower and the monastery buildings were declared a group architectural, artistic and historical complex of national importance by virtue of publication in State Gazette, issue No 73 of 1992.
A museum which exhibits items providing information about the history of the monastery throughout the centuries was established in Rila holy cloister at the end of the 19th century.
The museum exhibition comprises valuable examples of Bulgarian and foreign art from the 14th – 19th centuries. The most valuable exhibit is the wooden cross decorated with exquisite miniature wood-carvings by Father Rafail. The master wood-carver used the finest chisels and tools and worked for many years until he finally finished his masterpiece in 1802, when he lost his sight as a result of the hard toil. It depicts 36 biblical scenes – 18 on each side, and over 600 miniature figures.
The exhibition of the farming equipment of the monastery is displayed near Samokov Gate and includes the water-mill, the old monastery furnace, items related to the farming activities of the monastery – forestry, livestock breeding, agriculture, etc. The old monastery kitchen is located on the ground floor of the northern wing of the monastery. It is a 22 m-tall cone-shaped smokestack where the large cauldrons are kept in which the monk-cooks used to make boiled mutton (soup) for the guests of the monastery on big holidays.
There is a marked path to the cave of St. Ivan of Rila which lies approximately 4 km away from the monastery. Later the Church of the Assumption of St. Ivan of Rila was built near the cave. It was renovated in 1820. The entrance to the cave lies after a narrow passage between the rock and the church.
Rila holy cloister is a functioning monastery. There are car and coach parks outside the two monastery gates. Accommodation is available at the monastery. Icons, albums, cards, souvenirs, and traditional Bulgarian crafted items are sold at the monastery bookstore, the shops at Hrelyo’s Tower, and in the area around the monastery.
