Bulgaria

The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century and is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is located about 75 miles south of the capital city Sofia and was named after the famous Bulgarian saint Ivan of Rila. Rila Monastery is considered to be one of Bulgaria’s most important historical, cultural and architectural monuments and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in southeastern Europe. It has even been depicted in Bulgarian currency with the monastery on the back side of the 1 lev banknote issued in 1999. Considered one of the primary masterpieces of Bulgarian national Revival architecture, it was declared a national historic monument in 1976 and then became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

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Bulgaria is a fantastically beautiful country that somehow tourists seem to have forgotten. From forests to mountains to beautiful beaches it is a perfect vacation destination for those looking to get away to a place both friendly and exciting. Its capital, Sofia, holds many ancient and amazing wonders. Among the most interesting is the Boyana Church. Constructed in three stages, the first portion of the church was built beginning in the late 900s. Its early heritage mingles with two later builds in the 13th century and the final construction in the 1800s. These three buildings are home to some of the most well preserved and inspiringly lovely medieval frescos and paintings. Just walking onto the holy grounds of the Bulgarian Orthodox church at the foot of Mt. Vitosha gives you the same awestruck feeling that must have been experienced by the royalty and upper class who worshiped here for nearly a thousand years.

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