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Rila Monastery

John the hermit · Bulgaria

Orthodox
10th century

In the 10th century the hermit John of Rila withdrew into these mountains to live alone in prayer, first in a hollow tree and then in a cave. His followers built a monastery near his grave, which grew into the spiritual heart of Bulgaria. John is still honoured as the patron saint of the Bulgarian people. Today the colourful monastery, rebuilt in the 19th century with striped arches and a painted church, is one of Bulgaria's best-known sights and on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Did you know?

During centuries of Ottoman rule the monastery kept the Bulgarian language and culture alive.

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Sources

John of Rila · Wikipedia
Rila Monastery · Wikipedia