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The Rila Monastery (Bulgarian Рилски Манастир, Rilski Manastir) was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. It is situated in the Rila Mountains in western Bulgaria at 42°08'10"N 23°20'40"E, in a spectacular setting in the deep valley of the Rilski River.
His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which subsequently played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Partly destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862, though retaining the older buildings which did survive the fire.
The monument is a characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th19th centuries) and symbolizes an awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation. The Rila Monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 The main church in the centre of the Rila Monastery  Cloisters round the courtyard (left), and (centre) the mediaeval tower, the oldest part of the Rila Monastery |
