The Rila Monastery in Bulgaria is the most impressive sight you’ll see during your visit to the country. In fact, we would go as far as calling it the world’s most beautiful monastery.
We don’t often make that distinction on this website because we know everyone has different interests, but Rila Monastery goes beyond anything we ever would have hoped for.
It is one of the most beautiful complexes we’ve ever been to, and the paintings inside rival that of the Sistine Chapel or Florence’s Duomo in Italy (although may not match up in terms of origin by a master artisan or age).
The one downside to the Monastery is that it is remote. Very remote.
As it is located in the mountains of Bulgaria, every city is at least a one to two-hour drive away (with the exception of the tiny village of Rila right next door).
Luckily private tours exist from all corners of the country to visit this famous monastery, making the long journey an easy option for all visitors.
The point we’re trying to make is simple: if you go to Bulgaria you must visit Rila Monastery, and you have no excuse to miss it. It is one of the few sights we’ve ever been to that we would have seriously regretted skipping, and it takes a lot for us to say that.
But why are we making such a fuss about Rila Monastery? Check out the following photo essay to see why.
