Monastery of Rila

The monastery of Rila was built on the site of the home of the hermit Jean de Rila (Ivan Rilski) (870-946). His spiritual influence was considerable. The Monastery thus contributed to the nation's freedom. hile the Hreljo tower dates from the 14th century, the exceptional church of the nativity dates from the 19th century and is the work of artists of the best artists of the day. The remain of Jean de Rila were to travel to Hungary then to Veliko Tarnovo before being brought back to Rila in 1469.

general information

Republic

Capital: Sofia

Surface area: 111.000 km2

Population: 7,4 millions

Population density/km2: 67

Member of the EU since 2007

National day: 3rd March

National anthem: Mila Rodino

• The Bulgarians originate from a people that came from the East and established the First Bulgarian state in 7th century.

• In Bulgaria, a vertical movement of the head means no and a horizontal movement means yes.

• In 1943, the Bulgarians refused to deport the 50000 Jews living in Bulgaria into Hitler's hands.

• At the end of the winter, the Bulgarians hang up small colourful strands known as Martenica.

• At the beginning of the 10th century, Bulgaria was the largest kingdom in Europe.

• Bulgaria gained its independence in 1878 thanks to Russia.

• On the 6th of January (epiphany) the priests throw  cross into the river that the young people must go to fetch in the icy cold waters.

• Many churches were built underground because under the Ottoman Empire their height could not exceed that of a man on horseback.

• Two monks, Cyril and Methodius, were to invent what was to become Cyrillic script.

• The oldest golden object in the world dates from 4600-4200 BC.

• A traditional song from Bulgaria was placed in the Voyager probe.

This country offers sandy beaches, great wine and good parties along the famous Black Sea coast. Cities like the dynamic Sophie, the ancient Nesebar and the architectural Plovdiv are gorgeous as is the mountain village of Belogradchik and the beautifully restored Tyravna. This is truly a wild place with huge forests where bears and lynx roam.