The Rila Monastery is located in 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain. 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 through the ages.
About the Rila monastery: It is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has an unique architecture. Outside, the Rila monastery looks like a fortress. It has 24-meter stone walls which forms irregular pentagon. The Hreliov's tower and the main church "The Nativity of the Virgin" cohabit at the center of the yard. This tower was created by the local feudal lord Hrelio in 1334-1335. A small church stays next to it and it is only a couple of years younger (1343). A bell-tower was added to the tower in 1844. The main church "The Nativity of the Virgin" was built in these times. The temple has five domes, three altars and two chapels. In the church there are lots of icons created in XIV-XIX.
The Rila monastery has also its own rich library. There are stored lots of important Bulgarian written books and materials - about 250 manuscript books from XI-XIX, 9000 old-printed books, manuscripts and so on. The museum, located in the monastery has a rich exposition - historical collection of 35 000 exponents, rich collections of icons, wood-carvings, cultural and ethnographical items. The museum has an unique work of art, called the Cross of Rafail. It is made of a whole piece of wood (81-43 centimeters) and it's called to its creator. The monk used fine chisels, small knives and lentils to carve 104 religious stages and 650 small figures. It took him more than 12 years to complete his work. At the end of 1802 the cross was completed, but then its creator lost his eyesight.
Rates 2012
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Number of pax
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Low season
1.11.11-30.04.12
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High season
1.05.12-30.10.12
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1-4 pax
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45 euro
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55 euro
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5-8 pax
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35 euro
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45 euro
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8+ pax
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negotiable
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negotiable
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The quoted prices are person and include transport from and to Sofia to Rila monastery (120 km away from Sofia) by personal luxury car for 2 or 3 passengers, a comfortable van for 6 pax and a mini-bus for parties 8+ pax, english speaking guide all the time, 2 hours visit of the monastery, including the museum, the church and the Hrelio tower, the refectory and the kitchen, free time for pictures and sightseeing, travel insurance, VAT.
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Offers 
Rila monastery
