• Rila Monastery - The Rila Monastery was founded in the 30-th years of X century on the place of the Old Anchoress in Rila Mountain. While the monastery has been existing, it was many times rebuilt, destroyed and reconstructed. Today the Rila Monastery has had this appearance since the middle of the previous century. It is the biggest and the most respected Bulgarian monastery.

It is considered that the creator of the Rila Monastery is the first Bulgarian hermit Ivan Rilsky (876-946), he chose to live in this way as a method of spiritual perfection and a way to express his protest against the suppression of the high moral rules of the real Christianity. The Bulgarian saint was born in the 70-th years of IX century. He was a witness of the decline of the First Bulgarian Kingdom at the time of king Peter I and Saint Ivan Rilsky became the most respected saint in the Orthodox Christianity in that time. At the time of the Byzantine slavery the established brotherhood was turned into a monastery. At the beginning of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom the relics of Saint Ivan Rilsky was displaced to the capital of the country Veliko Tarnovo as the most important relic for the Bulgarians.

Entrance ticket will include the history museum and Tower of Hrelio, Ethnografic museum, Bulgarian renaissance guestrooms and Monastery farm.

• General entry to the venue
• Electronic guide for the Monastery

• Personal expenses

Spend a delightful day at the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, commonly known as the Rila Monastery, the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. This offering includes a unique conversational audio guide and an electronic guide with comprehensive notes, allowing for total flexibility and exploration at your own pace.

Situated at an altitude of 1,147 meters amidst the aromatic coniferous forests of the Rila Mountain, the monastery spans approximately 8,800 square meters, comprising cultural, residential, and agricultural buildings. The Rila Monastery boasts a distinctive architectural style.

Externally, the monastery resembles a fortress with its 24-meter high stone walls forming an irregular pentagon. Visitors entering the monastery’s courtyard through one of the two iron gates are often amazed by its architecture, featuring arches and colonnades, covered wooden staircases, intricately carved verandas, and 300-400 monastic cells.

• A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.