Review of Rila Monastery

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     Bulgaria's Rila Monastery is a place where time stands still in reverence to the beauty of nature and in remembrance of ages past. The Rila Monastery is a Holy Place for Bulgarians and is the Country's most visited tourist destination, and it gives visitors a sense of isolation and spirituality. The ancient wooden monastery is situated within a tranquil mountain setting that is surrounded by rock peaks, evergreen forest and beautiful meadows. Rainy Day at Rila Located in the southwest corner of Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery is the largest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It was founded by Ivan Rilski (John of Rila) in the 10th century as a colony for Orthodox hermits of the early middle ages. He came to this isolated valley to escape the savagery of feudal life and the corruption in the established monasteries of the time. The Rila Monetary's namesake lived most of his life as a hermit in a nearby cave, and his life and teachings laid the foundation of the monastery that still attracts pilgrims even today. When John of Rila died, the present day monastery was built near the site where the holy man lived as a hermit in spiritual self-exile.

     The history of the Rila Monastery is as long and interesting as the history of Bulgaria. In times past, the monastery has been destroyed by fire, later abandoned by the monks in disrepair, and then rebuilt in the 14th century by Dragoval Hrelyo, an independent ruler, who commissioned many of the impressive wood buildings seen in the monastery today. Rila_06.jpg The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th century Hrelyo's Tower, the five domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the astonishing original monastery kitchen that was built in the 9th century. There are also some elaborate wall murals painted between 1840 and 1848 by some of the finest artists of the time and intricate wood carvings and icons quietly adorn the interior spaces. The monastery also houses a rich museum collection of valuable old manuscripts, documents, charters, jewelry, gold and silver church plates.

     To the traveler, the monastery is a place where the material world gives way to the spiritual world. You walk away with the feeling of having visited a holy place. A calm and quiet place where floor boards squeak as you walk and heavy wooden doors slam shut startling the visitor lost in thought. There is a spiritual connection at Rila, whether it be within nature or religion, you come away with a feeling of reverence for a special place. As illustrated by the echo of bells that ring every three hours, as a measure of time.. an escape from the rapid pace of our civilization replaced with the slow, even chimes of faith and religion.

     Monastery gates are open daily to visitors and pilgrims from dawn until dusk. Services are preceded by monks hammering on wooden panels in the monastery courtyard, a ritual which is designed to remind the congregation of Jesus being nailed to the Cross. The start of the Saturday evening service is usually announced by a monk ringing a carillon of bells from Hrelyo's Tower, and the Thursday morning service is dedicated to St. John of Rila and features chanting thought to date from the fifteenth century.

     The Rila Monastery is a Holy Place for all Bulgarians, for it preserved their pride, national identity, faith, and hope through the centuries. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site that will be preserved for all future travellers seeking its treasures.

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