Rila Monastery

It is said that Rila Monastery is the most visited tourist attraction in Bulgaria.
It is also in UNESCO World Heritage list.
It is unique for its colorful outdoor, arches and column are in stripe like zebra.
Built in 927 and heavily restored in 1469.
Located 120 km, about 2 hours drive, south of Sofia.
I joined the day trip by Hostel Mostel Sofia, included a short hiking to Tomb of St. Ivan, the founder of the monastery.
The entrance to the monastery is free, but you have to pay to enter the museums, there are three, the main museum, the icon museum and the kitchen museum.

Short Hiking to St. Ivan Tomb

Before the visit Rila Monastery, we passed the monastery and arrived in a forest to visit tomb of St. Joan of Rila, the founder of the monastery.

It was about 15 minutes walking up.
We entered a cave, then came up, to a spring of St. Joan of Rila.
People believe if they write their wish on a paper and put there, the wish comes true.

There was a small church, half hewned in the rock.

Lunch at Rila Monastery

There are only 3 restaurants around the monastery.
We chose the one less crowded, across the car road, called Restaurant Drushliavitza, but still took ages before we were served.
I ordered trout, our guide said recommended.
It was listed in Appetizer section, and the price indicated in 100gr unit, I thought it was cheap and ordered. But in actual it came 700gr fish, and had to pay 7 times from the price on the menu!
I ordered also ox tongue in tomato stew.