Rila monastery and Stob pyramids

Rila Monastery UNESCO protected World Heritage Site

As we enjoy a scenic journey to Rila mountin,we will visit Rila Monastery  your expert story-telling guide for the day will provide you with an overview of the history of the monastery and it’s most famous sights.Its history is directly related to St. Ivan of Rila, the first Bulgarian hermit, who settled in the region and devoted his life to fasting and prayers. The monastery was initially situated near the cave where the saint dwelled.
You will explorer that throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria. During the Bulgarian Revival Period (18th – 19th centuries) Rila Monastery set up approximately 50 metochions in the large Bulgarian towns and villages where some of the most well-educated Rila monks performed their religious rites, established schools, and brought pilgrims to the monastery.
Museum which exhibits items providing information about the history of the monastery throughout the centuries was established in Rila holy cloister at the end of the 19th century.
The Birth of the Virgin Mary main church of the monastery was built in the place of an old temple.
Exhibition of the farming equipment of the monastery is displayed near Samokov Gate and includes the water-mill, the old monastery furnace, items related to the farming activities of the monastery – forestry, livestock breeding, agriculture, etc.
And much more to be share by our professional guide.

National Historical Museum

The museum is at the former primary residence of the last communist leader Todor Zhivkov at Boyana, and currently contains over 650,000 objects connected to archaeology, fine arts, history and ethnography.
A number of exhibits outline the greatness of the medieval Bulgarian state – the third empire in Europe (after the Byzantine and Frankish empires). Dozens of remarkable works of fine art and goldsmithing, church utensils, fabrics and manuscripts, icons.
Also here is the rich ethnographic collection of the museum, including traditional clothing, jewelry and more. from all over the country.
Unique monument of Eastern European medieval church art from 1207, under the protection of UNESCO.
Its collections comprise materials dating from prehistoric ages till the present.
Major excavated exhibits include:

• Valchitran Treasure
• Dabene Treasure
• Rogozen Treasure
• Panagyurishte Treasure