On our last day in Bulgaria we got up early, walked for about half an hour and took a very slow tram to a bus station outside the centre where we caught a bus to RIla Monastery. It was quite a trip to get there, but totally worth it. The monastery itself was beautiful and surrounded by stunning mountains and it was also interesting to see more of the Bulgarian countryside outside of Sofia.
This is the amazing chimney of the old kitchen – you can’t really tell from this photo taken directly below it but it’s several stories high, absolutely enormous. There were some giant cauldrons to go with it.
There were murals painted everywhere, on the inside and outside of the main church building. We were drawn most to the devils, the angels seem to be the mean ones!
There are lions everywhere in Bulgaria, but this was defintely the most comical one we saw.
I also found some knitting, there were a few touristy souvenir stalls outside the main monastery complex and they all had thick socks and slippers hanging up.
I quite like these stripy garter stitch ones. As soon as we got back from the trip we got on a train to Bucharest, where we spent a grand total of ten minutes before leaving again for Transylvania, altogether we spent 16 straight hours on trains!
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It looks like a tourist in a pink blouse, capri pants and flats is strolling through one of the murals. Thanks for sharing your trip.
Waw! This is so beautiful! All those paintings and architecture!!
Oh, I like the white/black socks with all those colours!!!
Gorgeous!
It’s wonderful to see a small bit of this culture. Thank you.
That lion looks exactly like the ones in the Chinese paintings I have been looking at – is Rila near the Silk Road trade route?
It seems like such a amazing place to be! If you think 16 hours on a train is long… I once spent two days on a train in China!
That monastery is breathtaking. I love it!
Stunning photos and great site! I added you to my list on my blog. A friend sent me your link. All the best to you!
you’re pictures are wonderfull, and i love the garter socks
I know this is an old post, but I am new reader. I went to Bulgaria about 12 years ago, staying with a friend in Sofia – and we went to Rila too. Isn’t it amazing – this post has reminded me how much I want to go back :)