Ihme-Zentrum

Rila Monastery, Bulgaria, is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in the country. Founded in the 10th century, it is situated in the Rila Mountains in the south-west of Bulgaria. Although the monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout its history, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983. The monastery houses 600 different rooms, which include a church, cells, a defense tower, a library, and an ample museum which includes religious and historical artifacts. The monastery walls are decorated with vivid frescoes depicting the life of monks, the saints, and Biblical stories. The monastery complex is a great example of Bulgarian architecture, with its tall stone walls, pointed arches and patterned windows adding a unique character to the mountain landscape.