Rila Monastery

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Rila Monastery: A Symbol of Slavic Cultural Identity

The Rila Monastery, officially known as the Monastery of Saint John of Rila, stands as a significant cultural and historical landmark in Bulgaria. Situated within the picturesque Rila Mountain range, this Eastern Orthodox monastery serves as a sanctuary for approximately 60 monks and attracts numerous pilgrims from around the world. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, the Rila Monastery offers a unique glimpse into the rich history, art, and spirituality of medieval Bulgaria.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

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 complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation.

Encyclopedia Record: Rila Monastery

The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery ("Sveti Ivan Rilski", is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River at an elevation of 1,147 m above sea level, inside of Rila Monastery Nature Park and in close vicinity of the Rila Monastery Forest Nature Reserve. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Saint Ivan of Rila, and houses approximately 60 monks. The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site for many Orthodox Christians.

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