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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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.” ...