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Rila Monastery Natural Park combines history, nature, and religion. The park is a pilgrimage site in the Rila Mountain Range, inviting visitors worldwide. There are 54 named mountains in Rila Monastery Natural Park; Golyam Kupen (2,731 m / 8960 ft) is the highest and most prominent peak (582 m / 1909 ft of prominence).
The vast Rila Monastery Nature Park sprawls across 253 sq. km (98 sq. mi) of Bulgaria. It lies in the western part of the Rila Mountain Range, with altitudes ranging from 750 to 2,713 m (2,461 to 8,901 ft). It includes forests, mountain meadows, alpine areas, and 28 glacial lakes and is one of Bulgaria's most extensive natural parks. The park attracts over 1 million visitors, making it the second-most visited nature park in the country after Vitosha Nature Park.
The park's centerpiece is the Rila Monastery (1,147 m / 3,763 ft), an architectural marvel designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. A nature reserve called Rila Monastery Forest covers 36 sq. km (14 sq mi) or 14% of the park's total area, including the monastery.
The park itself was established in 1992 as part of the newly founded Rila National Park. However, some of its territory was later reassigned to the Rila Monastery and became a separate nature park due to legal requirements.
The park lies within the catchment area of the rivers Rilska and Iliytsa. Within the vicinity, you can find two convents – Orlitsa and Pchelino. Orlitsa Convent, one of the oldest of the Rila Monastery, is located about 3 km (18 mi) from the town of Rila, along the road leading to the monastery. It even houses one of the oldest vines in Bulgaria, dating back to the 1820s. On the other hand, Pchelino Convent serves as the economic farm of the Rila Monastery, conducting farming and forestry activities.
Rila Monastery Nature Park is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks, including gneiss, amphibolite, and marble, bordered by granite to the north and east. The park is home to 28 glacial lakes, with the highest being Devil's Lake at 2,445 m (8,021 ft) and the lowest being Dry Lake at 1,892 m (6,207 ft).
Among them is the Balkan Peninsula's largest alpine lake, Stinky Lake, reaching a depth of 24 m (78 ft). These lakes give rise to various creeks and rivers; the main one is the Rilska River, which stretches for 51 km (31 mi).
Rilska River's catchment area is the source of most of the park's lakes, including the impressive Smradlivite Lakes, Black Lake, Devil's Lake, Monastery Lake, Marinkovsko Lake, and others.
The park's average altitude is 1,750 m (5,741 ft), with the highest peak, Golyam Kupen, reaching 2,731 m (8,959 ft). The park's territory is divided into two principal orographic crests, Skakavishko and Riletsko, serving as the watershed between the Black Sea and Aegean Sea catchment areas.
The park experiences a temperate continental and transitional-Mediterranean climate. It falls within the Rodope montane mixed forests terrestrial ecoregion, part of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest biome.
There is a wide variety of flora and fauna in the park. It is home to around 1,400 species of vascular plants. The fauna includes 52 mammals, 122 birds, 12 reptiles, 11 amphibians, five fish, and about 2,600 invertebrate species.
The Rila oak (Quercus protoroburoides) is a special conservation concern found only within the park in the Rilska River valley. The park features 164 moss species, representing 58% of the Rila Mountain Range’s total. The park is also home to 203 medicinal plant species, making up 28% of the species used in official and folk medicine. The Iliina River area and Mount Kalin above Pastra have the highest diversity of medicinal plants.
Among the park’s bird species are the griffon vulture, buzzard, golden eagle, and little eagle. There are 15 species of bats (Chiroptera), comprising 50% of the total number in the country and 45% in Europe.
This ecoregion is known for its diverse vegetation and the unique blending of different forest types specific to the Rhodope massif. It provides critical habitat for numerous plant and animal species and is a relatively rare ecoregion.
It features a mix of deciduous and coniferous forests, including oak, beech, spruce, fir, and pine trees. It also contains various shrubs and flowering plants. The ecoregion is home to diverse wildlife, including large mammals like bears, wolves, deer, and wild boar.
The Monastery of Rila is Bulgaria's largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery and is located in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km (73 miles) south of Sofia. The monastery was named after its founder, Saint Ivan Rilski, who lived as a hermit in a nearby cave. It was built in 1335 and has become a significant cultural and architectural landmark.
The monastery became a popular pilgrimage destination, particularly after the relics of Saint Ivan were brought there in 1469. Every year on July 1st, a celebration commemorates the arrival of the saint's relics.
Although a fire destroyed most of the complex in 1833, it has been gradually rebuilt since. The rectangular complex includes the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, with exquisite frescoes, as well as 300 monk's chambers, chapels, a library, and an abbot's room.
The monastery's exterior resembles a fortress, with its high stone walls and small windows. The government declared the monastery a national monument in 1976 and gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983, recognizing its historical and cultural significance.
During Ottoman rule, the Rila Monastery became a center for preserving and reviving the Bulgarian spirit and nation. It housed the literary school of Veliko Tarnovo. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the monastery continued to thrive during the Bulgarian Renaissance. Notably, the monk Neophit of Rila was a key figure in education, preparing teachers and clerics for the entire country.
Throughout its thousand-year history, the Rila Monastery has held significant spiritual and artistic influence over the Eastern Orthodox world. During the medieval period and even under Ottoman rule, it played a vital role in shaping the culture and arts. Its influence extended to architecture and aesthetics across the Balkan region.
You can enjoy this trek starting from Kirilova Polyana during the summer months without serious mountain equipment. The route takes you through the stunning canyon of the Rila River and leads to Tiha Rila and the Ribni Ezera mountain hut. From there, you can embark on a long ridge tour, with the finish at Rila Monastery.
The hike covers 38 km (23 mi) and can be completed in 2 days. The path is generally moderate and gentle. One can take the trail toward the Monastery or the other way around. However, it is still a challenging 2-day hike with an elevation gain of 2,000 m (6,561 ft).
The hike from Rila Monastery to the Seven Lakes is imposing. The ascent from the valley to the high ground and the steep descent from Malyovitsa can be strenuous. However, once you reach the well-marked trails, the journey becomes more manageable, and the views from the summits over the seven lakes are genuinely magnificent.
The hike covers a distance of 19 km (11 mi), with an elevation gain of 1,800 m (5,905 ft). The route takes you from Rila Monastery (1,100 m / 3,608 ft) to Ivan Vazov Hut (2,300 m / 7,545 ft), up to Otovishki Vrah (2,696 m / 8,845 ft), and finally to the Seven Lakes Hut (2,196 m/ 7,204 ft).
This is an excellent option if you are looking for an easy trail. This 13.5-km out-and-back trail offers a moderate hike and typically takes around four hours to complete. It is a popular route for outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and walking. You just need to take the road from Rila town to the monastery.
Blagoevgrad is a city in southwestern Bulgaria in the picturesque Pirin Mountains. It is the economic, cultural, and educational center of the region. The city is a mix of modern and historical architecture. Blagoevgrad is known for its university and attracts many students.
This town in western Bulgaria is nestled between the Rila and Verila Mountains. It has a rich industrial history and is known for its manufacturing sector, particularly in the automotive industry. The town has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, with pleasant parks and gardens. Dupnica is also a gateway to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains.
Sofia is Bulgaria's capital and largest city, situated at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. It is a vibrant metropolis with a rich history dating back to Roman times. Sofia boasts an array of architectural wonders, including the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, as well as a thriving arts and cultural scene. The city offers a blend of traditional charm and modernity and is a worthy and underrated destination for travelers.
Explore Rila Monastery Natural Park with the PeakVisor 3D Map and identify its summits.
