Rila Monastery Private Tour
Description
The Rila Monastery is Bulgaria's "must see" UNESCO site to visit. Among many offers for a day tour to Rila Monastery, we are now happy to offer some unique and customized day tours - dedicated service, knowledgeable guides, perfectly maintained vehicles and personal touch. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments. It is traditionally thought that the monastery was founded by the hermit St. Ivan of Rila. The hermit actually lived in a cave without any material possessions not far from the monastery's location, while the complex was built by his students, who came to the mountains to receive their education. The monastery was established in it,s today location in 14th century. After two major fires the monastery was restored in 1837. It is part of UNESCO’s world heritage list since 1983 and it is still an active monastery.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both Bulgarians and foreign visitors. The Monastery was founded by the hermit St. Ivan of Rila, whose name it bears, during the rule of Tsar Peter I (927-968). The hermit actually lived in a cave without any material possessions not far from the monastery's location, while the complex was built by his students, who came to the mountains to receive their education.
Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All year round women need to have kneels and shoulders covered. Warm clothes and low heel shoes.
Reviews(3)
Very enjoyable experience with a great guide, Philip. Very helpful and friendly doing everything he could to accommodate us. The monastery itself is quite expansive and beautiful. Be sure to visit the museum. The Boyana church is off the charts a cool place to visit. Very small, but the resident archaeologist made a story of each fresco. Great tour even with the long car ride.
very good service for private tour and airport transfer. Alex the guide/driver was nice nowledgable and acomodating
Booked a private tour with V Travel , tour guide was excellent very friendly &’very informative. The tour was a hike to Stob pyramids & Rila Monastery , both throughly enjoyable. I arrived in Bulgaria with zero knowledge about its history & left with enough to write a short thesis. Thank you to the driver.
