Rila Monastery:
Bulgaria
| Copyright 2007 |
The Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century the
monastery is the most famous and revered of the Eastern Orthodox faith and is found nearly
1200 metres above sea level in the Rila Mountains.
The name Rila is how the monastery is best known, but this is just an abbreviation of its full
name, the Monastery of Saint John of Rila (Ivan Rilski).
monastery is the most famous and revered of the Eastern Orthodox faith and is found nearly
1200 metres above sea level in the Rila Mountains.
The name Rila is how the monastery is best known, but this is just an abbreviation of its full
name, the Monastery of Saint John of Rila (Ivan Rilski).
The monastery acts as a beacon of cultural, historical and architectural importance to the
Bulgarian people and brings a large amount of visitors each year.
Many people who visit this historical site are amazed by the size of the complex as there is
also the Tower of Hrelya and a small church dating back to the 14th century in the complex.
Overall the complex stands at a huge 8,800 metres squared and is rectangular in shape.
Inside the Rila monastery there is a large collection of famous religious artifacts from 9,000
year old printed documents to the impressive work of art called Rafail's Cross, that is a piece
of wood shaped by a monk over the space of 12 years to show different religious scenes in the
shape of a cross.
Bulgarian people and brings a large amount of visitors each year.
Many people who visit this historical site are amazed by the size of the complex as there is
also the Tower of Hrelya and a small church dating back to the 14th century in the complex.
Overall the complex stands at a huge 8,800 metres squared and is rectangular in shape.
Inside the Rila monastery there is a large collection of famous religious artifacts from 9,000
year old printed documents to the impressive work of art called Rafail's Cross, that is a piece
of wood shaped by a monk over the space of 12 years to show different religious scenes in the
shape of a cross.
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