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Private Self-guided tour in Rila Monastery
Sofia, Bulgaria
From 2 hours to 6 hours
Art & Culture
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Attractions and Museums
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Bus and Driving Tours
Date
Today
What You Will Do
Enjoy a day out at the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The Rila Monastery is located in 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain. The monastery is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has an unique architecture. Outside, the monastery looks like a fortress. It has 24-meter stone walls which forms irregular pentagon. That’s why when some tourist enters the monastery’s yard from some of the two iron gates he is surprised by its architecture: arches and colonnades, covered wooden stairs and carved verandas and the 300-400 monastic cells.
What's Included?
- General entry
- E-guide for the Monastery
What's Not Included?
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Additional entrance fees for other sights inside approx. 8 EUR
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Rila Monastery
1
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.
Additional Information
This tour is independently operated by a third-party provider: Visit Bulgaria On.
Itineraries, descriptions, promotional content, and historic information are solely the responsibility of the tour operator and do not represent the views or positions of Marriott International, Inc.
Itineraries, descriptions, promotional content, and historic information are solely the responsibility of the tour operator and do not represent the views or positions of Marriott International, Inc.
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Guide Options
- Printed Guide - German
- Printed Guide - Russian
- Printed Guide - English
- Printed Guide - Italian
- Printed Guide - French
- Printed Guide - Spanish
Other Things To Do Nearby
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