009 BULGARIA - Rila Monastery (WHS)

Rila monastery is located in South-Western Bulgaria and is surrounded by mountains. It's around 120 km South of Bulgaria's capital, Sofia and in the middle of the Rila mountains, 1147m above sea level. 

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.

About the sender

Irina Kalcheva (direct swap), sent from Sofia (Bulgaria) on 28.08.2013