Bulgaria Rila Monastery

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Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery

One and a half hour drive away from Sofia is this beautiful monastery known as The Rila Monastery
  • Tip: from here you can also view the seven Rila lakes
The Rila monastery is the most famous Ortadox monastery and is the largest one in Bulgaria. As the name of the monastery  states 'Rila' it is found within the Rila mountains in the valley of Rilska River. This monastery was originally called Saint Ivan of Rila. Sain Ivan was the founder of the hermit 'Ivan of Rila', he spent his life devoting for fasting and prayers. 

The Rila was built back in the 14th century (1335). The older building being the Htrlyo's Tower. Rila's holy cloister eastern part was built during the 20th century. The monastery  nowadays holds around 60 houses of monks.

Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery Grounds


Whilst there we had the opportunity to talk to a monk and he explained to us that you can actually enjoy a night of peacefulness and sleep at the Rila Monastery to enjoy and see the Rila Monastery and the way monks live. If you are a visitor you are limited to what to see and which corridors to walk in, however if you are a guest there is less limitations. The cost of sleeping over in 2018 is 30Lev per person. He also described how one becomes a monk. Becoming a monk is not easy, it is a devotion to God.  There is no family, wealth or carrer. In order to become a monk you need to give four vows before becoming a monk.

 The vow of:
  • Chastity
  • Stability
  • Obedience
  • Poverty
Rila Monastery
Outside the Rila 
From the Rila Monastery there is a 4hour hike path to get to the Rila Lakes, has anyone walked this hike? I still have to visit the Rila Lakes possibly some time in summer :) Some of my friends in Bulgaria has mentioned to me that Bulgaria in summer is completely different than it is in winter

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