Rila Monastery

E60826

Rila Monastery is a renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, celebrated for its medieval architecture, rich frescoes, and central role in preserving Bulgarian culture and spirituality.


Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Eastern Orthodox monastery
cultural heritage site
architecturalStyle Bulgarian National Revival
medieval Bulgarian architecture
containsWork iconostasis of the main church
medieval manuscripts
religious icons
rich interior frescoes
country Bulgaria
denomination Bulgarian Orthodox Church
elevationAboveSeaLevel approximately 1147 metres
floorCount four-storey residential wings
founder Saint John of Rila
function monastic community
museum complex
religious pilgrimage center
governingBody Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church
hasCourtyard large inner courtyard with colonnaded galleries
hasFrescoesBy Bulgarian National Revival painters
hasPart Hrelyo Tower
main church Nativity of the Virgin Mother
monastic cemetery
monastic library
museum
refectory
residential wings
heritageDesignation UNESCO World Heritage Site
heritageStatus major cultural and historical monument of Bulgaria
inception 10th century
inscribedOnUNESCOWorldHeritageListInYear 1983
locatedIn Rila Mountains
locatedInAdministrativeTerritory Kyustendil Province
locatedNear Rila town
mainFestival feast day of Saint John of Rila
materialUsed stone and wood
namedAfter Saint John of Rila
patronSaint Saint John of Rila
periodOfMajorReconstruction 19th century
religion Eastern Orthodoxy
roofMaterial tile
significance center of Bulgarian spiritual life
important center of medieval Bulgarian literature
symbol of Bulgarian national identity
significantEvent reconstruction after 1833 fire
touristAttraction major pilgrimage site
one of Bulgaria’s most visited landmarks
UNESCORegion Europe and North America
UNESCOWorldHeritageCriteria (iv)
(vi)
UNESCOWorldHeritageSiteId 216


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