Deep in the valley of Rilska River, amongst the evergreen forests or Rila National Park, we find the hidden gem that is the Monastery of St. Ivan of Rila commonly known as the Rila Monastery. Founded in the 10th century by the followers of the hermit St. Ivan of Rila, it is the largest Orthodox Monastery on the Balkans and it is regarded as one of the nation’s most valuable cultural and architectural monuments. The museum adjacent to the monastery hold a vast collection of historical artifacts and the unique Rafael’s Cross, which has no matching analog in the world.
Some 30km from the Monastery the beautiful area of the Stob Pyramids offers a mesmerizing view. The natural rock phenomenon consists of hundreds of sand rock formations that were given fairy tale like shapes by time and erosion. A relatively easy hike with a few dangerous passages, it’s definitely an adventurous location to visit!
