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Added by Jopie, at 06 March 2017
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11 Reviews
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03 November 2017
Beautiful UNESCO site well worth the trip.
Be sure to visit St John's Church with adjoining have a few miles away.
Also, try to stop at Vintage Junk Museum outside of Kocherinovo.response / report this review -
27 September 2017
Rila Monastery is absolutely fantastic place. I would suggest to take a local guide who can tell you all about the history of the monastery and frescoes. Frescoes are breathtaking and every single one of them tells you a story. Definitely worth visiting.
However be careful with the toilets - they are very messy and bring your own toilet paper or tissues.response / report this review -
05 September 2017
Definitely it's well marked as a landmark and one of the must go places. However, there are some things to point out: cleanliness is not with them. I believe the last time the toilets were cleaned were the year after the construction of the monastery. The place is not totally prepared for tourists (the museum is closed during hours it says its opened and the people working there are arrogant).
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23 August 2017
A surprisingly beautiful monastery nearby Sofia. The images painted in the walls are really well conserved, it was by far the most beautiful building we saw in the area.
HOWEVER, be aware that women have to completely cover themselves up in order to enter this area, which was a bit annoying. Be sure you cover your arms, legs and hair, or you might not be able to visit it.response / report this review -
22 August 2017
Very nice place to visit when in Bulgaria. The monastery can be reached by car or bus (trips are organized by several companies) in two hours from Sofia. The atmosphere in this old site, surrounded by mountains, is charming. The museum collects carpets, litographys, monk dresses and other items collected throughout the centuries.
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28 July 2017
Very impressive site, and definitely worth a visit! It has an interesting history - so do buy the €1 book that describes the history of Ivan and read it there, that makes it more interesting. The museum is nothing really special, the site and church itself are.
There are also sometimes priests who live there, walking between the visitors. It shows that it's a historical place, yet still in use.
One small downside: the selling of christian signs and commercial stuff on the site. Better to do that outside the area.
We combined the trip with a lunch some 15 mins driving on the road towards Sofia, the S107. Right next to the flowing water, there are several cute restaurents in the middle on the nature. That made the trip complete!response / report this review -
27 April 2017
Way back in the eighties I visited that monastery. We have been on the way to an symposia to be held at a paper mill further down.
Those days it has been winter time and we have been freezing our butt off.
There was ice on monastery roads a hand- widths and more.
A charming lady tour quaid explained the history of this monastery.response / report this review -
14 April 2017
Rila Monastery is founded by St Ivan of Rila in 10th Century. It is an Eastern Orthodox Church located on Rila Mountains of Bulgaria. The Monastery is well preserved with beautiful murals. The museum houses the famous Rafail's Cross - a wooden cross made from a whole piece of wood, that presents 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures. The work on the Cross by a Monk lasted not less than 12 years before it was completed in 1802, when the monk lost his sight.
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18 March 2017
Situated in Rila mountain, Rila Monastery (Рилски манастир) is the biggest and most beautiful Оrthodox monastery in Bulgaria. If you are visiting Bulgaria, do not hesitate to make this trip - it is totally worth it.
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18 March 2017
Free entrance. Free parking in the back door. Amazing pictures. Worth to wake up early to get good pictures without tons of tourist.
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13 March 2017
This ancient monastery is probably the most famous day trip from Sofia. It is not a short journey but it is totally worth the venture. The site looks even better with snow. The local sweet bread is certainty worth a try.
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