Rila monastery : discover its secret corners

Secret or little known places of the Rila Monastery.

Some time ago we wrote an article about the majestic Rila Monastery in Bulgaria. But now we want to give you some clues about the secret corners of this monastery that, due to its large size or because of the rush that organized excursions sometimes have, do not get to know most of the tourists who visit this monastery and yet it is worth not to miss them.

Corners of the Rila Monastery of Bulgaria

Old kitchens of the Monastery.

First we start by recommending the kitchens of the Monastery, Rila Monastery has several museums, the main one is the Museum that tells the History of the Monastery and where you can find the famous cross carved by hand in wood with miniatures of the Bible, there is also a Museum of Orthodox Icons and there is a third Museum, the Kitchen Museum, that many tourists do not visit and that is next to the North entrance of the Monastery.

North entrance to Rila Monastery (with notice of not allowed to wear suspenders or shorts). On the right is the door of the Kitchen Museum…

Unfortunately they only open it in the summer months when there are more influx of travelers or on special occasions. As with many other tourist places in Bulgaria, The truth is that it does not have fixed opening hours and finding it open is fortunate, Unlike the others 2 museums that do open all year. However unless you are passionate about the icons or the ancient history of the monastery, the Kitchen Museum is much more “easy” to see and can become more interesting than the other two. It not only shows the impressive and huge utensils that the ancient cooks used to feed those who lived inside the monastery in ancient times but there are also farm implements, foresters and other curious ancient tools. An advice: do not leave the last room where the great cauldron is without looking up at the ceiling, you will be surprised by how curious its shape…

Ladle found in the Kitchen Museum, old and current photo, (imagine what the cauldron is like…).

the medieval tower.

Another secret place is the medieval Tower of 1343, its location is certainly not a secret since the tower can be seen as soon as you enter the courtyard of the Rila Monastery, but what you may not know is that you can also climb it, also as in the case of the Kitchen Museum, does not have a fixed schedule, It depends on the day I have found it open or not, when you go, come closer and if you see a person on a table, is that it is open to collect the entrance receipt, if there's no one, bad luck… The views from the tower are unmatched, the mountains that surround the Monastery are seen as close as if they could be touched, you will see the snowy summits, rocky peaks and areas “low” of lush forests. I warn you that you cannot go up to the terrace, but all this is seen equally from the windows on the top floor of the tower. The climb is by internal staircase, tiring a bit but worth it, on the floors between flights of stairs there are explanations of the tower's history and some interesting artifacts that I don't want to reveal to you so that you can discover them for yourself and that allow you to take breaks between one floor and the next…

Medieval tower 1343. In its facade that faces the church is the entrance to its interior.

the old cemetery.

Leaving through the north gate, there is a path to the right that leads to the river, that by the way many people do not go down and miss it, it has water all year round and its incessant flow generates a spectacular noise. Following this path parallel to the river, you will arrive in a few 10 minutes to a small Church in whose inner courtyard is the old cemetery with huge tombstones, some of more than 1,80 meters high. There are buried the “popes” o most prominent priests in the history of the Rila Monastery . It is a picturesque and curious place like an old horror movie. Likewise, it is sometimes closed and other times open., but if you find it closed at least enjoy the walk along the river that very few people do…

Bakery building (North exit of the Monastery)

The Monastery Bakery.

It is located outside the main enclosure, exiting through the north gate, right in front of the first building you will see some Bulgarians queuing in front of a small window, Inside is the bakery that is famous throughout Bulgaria and therefore there are always Bulgarians in line. They say that it is where they produce the best traditional breads and the best “mekítsi” of Bulgaria. The “mekítsi” It has a flattened round shape and is made with a dough similar to that of the churros and porras that we know in Spain, There they put powdered sugar on top and they are also very tasty for breakfast or a snack… You can go to the window and ask with your hand 2,3,4 “mekítsi”, or as many as you want…, better to eat them right there as there is also a coffee machine…

Bulgarian Mekitsi

Ivan Rilski's Cave.

Ivan Rilski (Saint Ivan of Rila) he was the founder of the Monastery in the 10th century, when he came to live in this cave in solitude. He ate fish from the river and what he found in the forest., later some followers joined him and his disciples founded the Monastery. Quiet, this cave is open all year, but it is some distance from the Monastery, you have to follow the road that goes up to the mountains a few 5 minutes by car (something else walking) and when in one of the curves you find a sign with the symbol of an orthodox icon, it is the point to enter the forest on foot along a narrow path, beautiful at any time of the year but in Spring and Autumn it is even more beautiful.

Beautiful journey to the cave of Iván de Rila

After about 20 minutes of walking through this lush acacia and oak forest you will reach a small church built in honor of Ivan Rilski and just on your right is the entrance to the cave. It is a small cave but that is precisely why it shudders to think that someone would come to live there… As an anecdote that you will not forget, try to exit through the upper opening of the cave, It is narrow and it is said that only the pure of soul can pass through it…

To the right of the Church is the entrance to Ivan Rilski's cave (Juan de Rila).

If you want more information about the Rila Monastery in Bulgaria or about many other secret places that we have visited in the country at hikingeuropa.com, get in touch with us and hire one of our travel packages, then you will discover secret places in Bulgaria that other agencies do not want to show you….

Do you know any of these places? “secrets” of the Rila Monastery?, leave us a comment below if you visited them…