Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic ...

Mountain views, beautiful coloured frescos and a fortress-like complex. Postcards explores Bulgaria's magnificent Rila Monastery, a spiritual centre for more than 1,000 years. Founded in the 10th ...

Nestled in mountain forests an hour and a half south of Sofia, the Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s most popular tourist destination. It is the country’s largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery ...

St. Ivan found God in the mountains, in caves, and the hollows of trees. Born in the late 9th century, the patron saint of Bulgaria retreated from secular life at age 25 and he never returned. He ...

A visit to Rila Monastery in Bulgaria is a religious experience—in several senses of the word. Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria (a destination on our Go List 2019), certainly has no shortage of ...

As we drove along the narrow, mountainous road to Rila Monastery, my co-passenger mused, “I suppose the gods all over the world choose to manifest in mountains, caves, or places away from humanity.” ...

Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery on July 1 marks 550 years since the return of the relics of St. Ivan of Rila from the old capital of Veliko Turnovo to the Holy Monastery. The commemorative event took place ...

On the southeastern fringes of Europe, Bulgaria is only just gaining a reputation tourist destination with huge potential. But while it’s already pulling in visitors to its Black Sea beaches, its ...