Founded in AD 927,
Rila Monastery has been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage Sites in
1983. It is Bulgaria’s largest and most renowned monastery, hidden away in a
narrow and forested valley of the Rila Mountains, 119km south of Sofia. The
monastery helped to keep Bulgarian culture and religion alive during centuries
of rule by the Turks.
Rila Monastery.
The walls are fully covered with murals of biblical stories.
Restoration of murals.
Biblical stories.
The intermitent strips of colours made the design so striking.
Souvenir stall, mainly holy panels and religious stuffs.
A view of Rila Monastery.
The original structures are retained.
Souvenir shops and restaurants in the surrounding.
Post office.
Fire department, is obviously short of budget.
4 Bulgarian ladies asked to take a photo with my Sudanese friend (middle).
The honey products are excellent, like to get a chunk of honey comb into my mouth.
