Interesting facts of Rila monastery
The largest and most famous 10th century holiest place in Bulgaria is Rila monastery which was established by the Saint John of Rila who used to live between 876–946. It is almost 1000 years old Eastern Orthodox monastery which was founded in the Rila mountains at a distance of 100 kilometres from Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia.It is considered as famous spiritual center of Bulgaria with its oustanding historical and architectural buildings.
During the ottaman empire of 1400–1878 which was ruled by islam , With its strong spiritual essence and artistic spread , Rila monastery was been the center of attraction across bulgarian people.
Rila monastery is named after its founder who lived around (876–946 AD) in a cave not far from current monastery and his name is Ivan Rilski who was a christian mystic Saint. construction of the monastery was started during 13th — 14th century.
more than 300 monk’s chambers ,abbot room , library with 100 old manuscripts , kitchen and four chapels are part of four storey residential complex inside this Rila Monastery which is rectangular infrom and centered with tower and main church are located in inner yard.
Still today , the oldest building that is surviving inside rila monastery is a tower called Herlyo’s tower and the most famous frescoes inside this monastery was created by the talented bulgarian artists of that times.It left untouched till now since from its establishment.
From 1961 , Rila monastery was declared as museum because religious activities were bannned in the monastery under the communist rule.But later in 1983 it came under UNESCO protection and religious state was restored from 1991.
Monk Rafail who was known for his beautiful wooden carving cross resembling 36 religious scenes and 600 figures lost his eye sight as it took him 12 years to complete the masterpiece during 18th century which every visitor should not miss while visiting Rila Monastery.
Rila monastery museum with historical potraits and weapons which shows the history of this museum and Hrelija tower which was used as defense for the monastery and only surviving building till now.
