These facts about Rila Monastery or the Monastery of Saint Ivan in Rila, Bulgaria are less known by most people. Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. 

The Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by the hermit St. Ivan of Rila, during the rule of Tsar Peter I (927-968) and is a must-visit tourist attraction in Bulgaria. The Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s most important historical, cultural, and architectural monuments.