A Day Trip to Explore Bulgaria's Cultural Gem Rila Monastery
Updated: May 12
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The most extensive Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria! As I researched nearby places to explore from Sofia, the internet was flooded with mentions of 'Day trips to Rila Monastery and captivating images of this monastery adorned with vibrant frescoes. With a 3-day stay in Sofia, it became a logical choice to pay a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery's significance is such that it's even featured on the 1 BGN banknote from 1999! Furthermore, the Rila Monastery is nestled at an elevation of approximately 1,147 meters (3,763 feet) amidst the aromatic coniferous woodlands of the Rila Mountain, promising an adventure into the mountains and the woods! Forests and Mountains, you serious? A journey I couldn't resist!
Agenda: Bulgaria's Cultural Gem Rila Monastery About Rila Monastery How to get to Rila Monastery What is there to see in Rila Monastery? Food options at Rila Monastery Accommodation |
About Rila Monastery
When I discovered the Rila Monastery, I was awestruck by its deep-rooted history. It all began in the 10th century, thanks to St. Ivan of Rila. To truly grasp Bulgarian culture, I couldn't miss a day trip to this architectural gem, a blend of Byzantine, Bulgarian, and Renaissance influences. This vast 8800 square meter complex is famed for its mesmerizing frescoes and intricate woodcarvings, both guardians of its rich heritage. In 1976, it received recognition as a national historical treasure, showcasing the pinnacle of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Despite enduring fires, wars, and the test of time, its remarkable preservation led to its UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1983. Dedicated to St. Ivan of Rila, it's not only a religious centre but a magnet for pilgrims and travellers worldwide. In addition to all this mesmerising the history and spirituality, one cannot ignore the breathtaking mountain surroundings.
How to get to Rila Monastery
For those looking to explore Rila Monastery, there are 3 transportation options to consider.
By Car: To reach Rila Monastery by car, follow Route 1 from Sofia to Kyustendil, then Route 82 to Rila Monastery.The parking fee around the monastery was 5 BGN (2.5 EUR).
By Public Transport - To get to Rila Monastery from Sofia, start by taking tram 5 from behind the Court of Justice. Ride for 11 stops to Ovcha Kupel bus station or use the metro to reach Ovcha Kupel metro station. From there, catch Bus no. 6 to Ovcha Kupel Bus Station. A bus departs for Rila village at 10:20 AM, arriving around 12:15 PM, followed by a minibus to Rila Monastery at 12:40 PM, with an arrival time of about 13:00 PM. A one-way bus ticket costs roughly 10 to 20 BGN (5 to 10 EUR) and is valid for the minibus to the monastery. For the return journey, take the same minibus at 3:00 PM to reach Sofia by 5:30 PM, with no bus changes in Rila village. If you plan to stay longer, there's a 5:00 PM bus to Dupnitsa from the monastery, where you can find hourly buses back to Sofia.
By Organised Tour: We opted for the organised tour via GetYourGuide, where a bus offers a roundtrip for 25 EUR (in off-peak season you may get a round trip ticket for as low as 19 EUR). The bus departs at 9 AM from St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral. We drove 2 hours to the monastery and then explored the monastery for 3 hours, ate lunch and then continued with a 1.5 hour long roadtrip to Boyana Church, where you get 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore the church. You return between 5 to 5:30 PM back at St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
Rila Shuttle . They offer a Rila Monastery + Boyana church Guided or Self-guided trip from prices ranging from 30 to 39 EUR per person depending on the option selected. They provide an English speaking driver (guide for the guided version). The bus departs at 9 AM from St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, they cover Boyana Church first and then Rila Monastery. And they return to Sofia at approximately 4:30 PM. They also provide another option of combining Rila Monastery with 7 Rila Lakes.
Important Points to Note:
Please keep in mind that tour prices generally do not cover admission fees, which vary – for example, the Rila Monastery Museum charges 4 EUR, and Boyana Church has a 5 EUR fee per person.
It's essential to have cash on hand.
When visiting religious sites like the church and monastery, remember to dress respectfully with your shoulders and knees covered; they offer appropriate attire if needed.
Photography is not allowed inside these places, and single metro tickets in Sofia are usually priced at about 1.60 BGN.
Adherence to the rules of these religious institutions is expected.
What is there to see in Rila Monastery?
When we arrived at Rila Monastery around 11 AM, we decided to enter the monastery complex through the Dupnitsa Gate, which is situated on the west side. Stepping into the peaceful courtyard of this ancient Bulgarian gem was truly breathtaking. The colorful architecture and the calm atmosphere created a sense of wonder. The presence of monks added authenticity to the experience.
My first destination was the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, nestled within the monastery courtyard. Its colorful frescoes are a true marvel, depicting various religious scenes, saints, and biblical stories, conveying the monastery's deep spiritual significance. These remarkable artworks, painstakingly completed by 1846, are the creations of the renowned Bulgarian Renaissance artists, the Zograf brothers, Zahari, and Dimitar. Every visitor, especially those on a religious pilgrimage, would make a point to explore the two chapels – the iconostasis of St. Nicola and the iconostasis of St. Joan Rilsky. Witnessing these historical frescoes dating back to the 10th century instilled in me a profound appreciation for their preservation.
Note: While it's permissible to capture photographs of the church's exterior gallery, photography inside the church is strictly prohibited.
It is important to know that there are a total of 5 museums inside Rila Monastery - they are the Ecclesiastic & Historical Museum, Ethnographic Museum, Icon Gallery, Hrelyo Tower, and Economy of the Monastery museums.
My next destination was the Rila Monastery History Museum or the Ecclesiastic & Historical Museum, situated in the eastern wing of the complex. I had heard that this museum was the primary one, offering insights into the life of St. Ivan of Rila and shedding light on the cultural heritage of this sacred site. Inside, the museum showcased significant religious artifacts such as icons, manuscripts, and items used in religious rituals. It also exhibited historical documents narrating the monastery's past and the daily lives of its inhabitants, including the monks and local community. While I'm not a history expert, it provided me with a basic understanding of the monastery's history and significance. One highlight not to be missed is Rafail’s Cross, a meticulously crafted wooden cross created by a monk named Rafail in the 19th century, now housed in the museum. The museum entrance fee was 8 BGN (€4), and witnessing Rafail’s Cross alone made it truly worthwhile.
Next, I made my way to the Ethnographic Museum, which turned out to be quite an interesting experience. Here, I found a collection of traditional clothing from different ethnographic regions and various vessels donated by both towns and monastery visitors. It's important to note that to explore these intriguing exhibits, you'll need to get an admission ticket at the Church-History Museum. It's a unique way to get a glimpse of the cultural diversity surrounding this remarkable place.
Note: To access ethnographic museum, it requires you to go beyond the barricade and climb upstairs to the monastery residence hall. No photography is permitted inside the museum.
Our Rila Monastery exploration continued as we visited the Icon Gallery, showcasing a beautiful collection of icons from the 18th to 19th centuries and portraits of the monastery's leaders from 1860 to 2005. It was reasonably priced to enter, with a fee of 3 BGN for adults, 2 BGN for students, pensioners, and fraternities, and just 1 BGN for kids. We moved on to the monastery's Economic Museum, where we discovered how the monks managed their daily activities during the 18th and 19th centuries. This place held relics like an old mill, a bread oven, and tools used for logging and beekeeping. There was also a fascinating exhibit near Samokov Gate, displaying farming equipment for activities like forestry, livestock raising, and agriculture. Kiu was curious about everything!
Note: There are several shops where visitors can find intricately crafted icons that make for meaningful keepsakes of their visit to this historic and spiritual site.
My pregnancy didn't slow us down, and we ventured on to explore the old monastery kitchen, located on the ground floor of the northern wing. It was an impressive sight, featuring a towering 22-meter-tall cone-shaped smokestack where large cauldrons were used to prepare special meals. This whole experience took about an hour, but there was one more exciting building we wanted to explore. As we strolled through the peaceful Rila monastery courtyard, the ancient Hrelyo Tower caught our attention. This tower, dating back to the 14th century, offered glimpses into its history through the wall paintings visible in the chapel's window niches. It played a vital role during bandit attacks, providing a safe haven for the monks and protecting the monastery's treasures. The tower had multiple floors and included amenities like a well, sinks, toilets, and sleeping quarters. On the fifth and final floor, is situated the Chapel of the Transfiguration of God. Most of the tower is open for visitors, and you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape from its top, however I had to give that a pass.
One social thing about this monastery is that there is an overwhelming desire to simply sit still and soak in the beauty. We found a peaceful spot by one of the monastery's porches with Kiu playing around, and we marvelled at the intricate woodcarvings adorning the porches, each a true masterpiece. Nearby, the monastery keeps a library with around 250 very old handwritten books from a long time ago, some even from the 11th century to the 19th century. They also have 9,000 old printed books and lots of important old documents. If you want to explore these treasures, just ask – it's like stepping back in time through these old pages! Another fascinating attraction is the Monastic Apartments, located in the west wing, boasting approximately 300 rooms. Among them are 110 monk's cells, over 30 drawing rooms, a spacious dining area, a hospital, four grand chapels, and various storerooms, kitchens, and keeper's chambers, which also served as holding cells for wrongdoers. For a deeper understanding of the monks' daily lives, you have the option to explore the living quarters and kitchens on the upper floors for an additional fee, offering valuable insights into their conditions.
Shortly after it started to rain, so we decided to explore the The Revival Period Guest Rooms located in the northern wing before we could head for lunch. They are located on the second and third floors in the northern section of the monastery. Currently, there are four guest rooms open for visitors, and they were built and adorned in the 19th century during the Bulgarian Revival Period. Inside, you can observe traditional domestic layouts, vibrant window decorations, wall paintings, intricately carved wooden ceilings, and furnishings reminiscent of prosperous towns from that historical era.
After we visited the Rila Monastery, we took the road behind the monastery to the bakery. You can find food and drinks when you go out of the Eastern Gate.
Food options at Rila Monastery
Before you rush off to the awe-inspiring Rila Monastery, let me drop a tasty tip: make a beeline for the bakery right outside the north gate. I get it, the monastery is a must-see, but believe me, the bakery is a game-changer. We realised this only after we came back for the bakery after visiting the cave. Now, here's the scoop on this hidden gem. One, the bakery lacks a visible menu. Two, you need to place your order through a window and inside, a few items are showcased on a table. Three, if it’s sold, it’s sold. So get there first. For a whopping 1 BGN (0.5 EUR) you can get a Mekitsi, Bulgarian Donut (fried bread). Once you get them hot and steaming, don’t forget to sprinkle generous amounts of powdered sugar from the available containers on the tables. With them, grab a jar of natural buffalo or sheep yogurt – product that Bulgaria is famous for.
In addition to the mekitsi and yogurt, don't forget to dive into another local delight – the grilled trout, often accompanied by a squad of boiled potatoes. C'mon enrich your taste buds! There are 2 restaurants that offer a meal plus drink. When it comes to dining options, Drushliavitsa on the left side of the Eastern Gate might be a tad pricier, but it's the classy sibling with top-notch service and pristine vibes. Meanwhile, Tsarev Vrah, the other restaurant, seems to have very long serving times, so brace yourself for a leisurely experience
Timings of the bakery: From 9:30AM to 3PM.
Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski
About 3-5 kilometers from the monastery lies the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski. A short hike, approximately 20 minutes, takes you there, but note there are some steep and rocky sections on the path. Due to my pregnancy, I chose not to go. If you decide to explore the cave, ensure you wear comfortable forest-friendly shoes. At the path's end, you'll find "The Passing of St. Ivan" chapel, erected in the 18th century on the site of the famous Bulgarian hermit's grave. The cave of Saint Ivan Rilski is to the right of the chapel, marked with a sign. This cave holds deep significance in Bulgaria's history as Saint Ivan Rilski's home for his final five years before his blessed passing and the place where he lived before the founding of the Rila Monastery.
Boyana Church
Our next stop was the Boyana Church. Compared to the grandeur of Rila Monastery, the Boyana Church felt quite small and manageable. Situated in the Boyana district, at the base of the Vitosha Mountains, this site is famed for its ancient frescoes, which adorn the church walls. Some of these artworks date back to the 11th-12th century and the 14th century. Among them, the 240 murals created in 1259 are particularly remarkable for their unique character and deep emotional portrayal of saints and other figures. It's so special that it's on the UNESCO World Heritage List. To visit, you need to pay 10 BGN (5 EUR) per person.
Accommodation
The Rila monastery offers accommodation for pilgrims and tourists that allowed them to experience the monastic way of life. Details for booking this accommodation is on this LINK.
The monastery even offers accommodation at a hotel called Tsarev Vrah, where rooms are priced at 45 BGN (23 EUR) per night.
Final Thoughts
Being a traveler rather than a tourist, I'm always keen to delve into the historical significance and cultural importance of the places I visit. Rila Monastery in Bulgaria holds a special place in the hearts of its people, making it a must-visit destination for those curious about its rich history and cultural heritage.
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