The Rila Monastery
Piero: having seen almost everything in Sofia, for our second day we decided to take a trip outside the city to visit the Boyana Church and the Rila Monastery.
Angela: to do everything comfortably, we rented a car.
Piero: the Boyana Church is only about ten kilometers from the center of Sofia, so it’s a short drive and parking is easy.
Angela: be careful about one thing — there are often long queues at the entrance! Access is limited to small groups and only with a guided tour (included in the ticket price) that lasts no more than ten minutes, as the church is very small. There's a high risk of waiting a long time or even not getting in at all! Unfortunately, photos are not allowed.
Piero: fascinating from the outside, its real beauty lies inside, with frescoes dating back to the 13th century. Since 1979, this site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Angela: after a short walk through the countryside around the church, we get back in the car and head toward the Rila Monastery.
Piero: this time, the drive is longer (about 90 km from Sofia); the road is still comfortable and easy to follow, except for the final stretch with curves and climbs into the mountains.
Angela: Rila is the most famous and important monastery in all of Bulgaria; since 1983, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Piero: the monastery is nestled in the forest of the Rila mountain range’s natural park, a true oasis of peace and spirituality.
Angela: the monastery was founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila (one of the most venerated saints in Bulgaria). In addition to being a tourist destination, it is also an important spiritual site for Bulgarians, who maintain and respect its silence and sacred atmosphere.
Piero: from the outside, it looks like a fortress, with its solid, high walls protecting it. Just inside, a large courtyard opens up, surrounded by four levels of arcaded balconies. At the center of the courtyard stand the beautiful church and the tower with the bell. The porticoes are stunning, with their frescoed ceilings and vibrant color contrasts.
Angela: despite the presence of many visitors, the respect for silence ensures a moment of joy for the eyes and peace for the soul. Discover it all in this video!
Piero: back to the city now, and it’s time to organize dinner: to please the kids tonight, we’re going Italian! We choose Felicità: both the pasta and pizza are good — perfect to make the kids “happy”!
Angela: before saying goodbye to the city for good, it’s worth taking one last peaceful evening stroll — it’s absolutely worth it! The illuminated city center is fabulous.
Piero: and so, this journey comes to an end. A beautiful and unusual destination! Sometimes it's really true — you need to leave the usual tourist routes behind...
Angela: absolutely! A last-minute choice, easy to organize and budget-friendly — and it ended up exceeding all our expectations!
