The symbol of the Bulgarian Empire and one of the most coveted tourist attractions is hidden in thick forests and surrounded by the Rila Mountains. The largest monastery of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church rises in the interfluve area between Drushlyavitsa and the Rilska rivers, just a few kilometers from Blagoevgrad.

According to local legend, the monastery, erected in the 10th century, was founded by one of the most revered saints in Bulgaria, Ivan of Rila, who lived in a mountain cave not far from the construction site of the ancient monastery. Hence its popular name, Rila. The construction was carried out by the saint's disciples, and each ruler of the kingdom did not spare public funds for the development of the Christian monastery.

Therefore, the Rila Monastery had become a spiritual and cultural center and had flourished until the strongest earthquake in the 14th century. But the main trouble for the monastery was caused by the raids of the Ottoman warriors. They looted and destroyed, desecrated the holy land. The only preserved parts from these days are the monastery tower, the carved gate, and the bishop's throne, dating from the 14th century.

Fortunately, in the 15th century, three brothers from Kyustendil got the Sultan's permission to transfer the relics of Saint Ivan of Rila to the monastery and begin a thorough reconstruction. The Russian Orthodox Church played an important role in the restoration of the Rila Monastery. Thanks to joint efforts, the monastery became the sole patron of Bulgarian culture during Ottoman rule. In the 19th century, the monk Neofit Rilski even founded a monastery school here.

The monastery keeps the relics of Saint Ivan of Rila, as well as another valuable item and one of the most revered icons in Bulgaria – the miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Odigitria" with the relics of saints. In addition, the walls of the main monastery church are decorated with original frescoes by famous Bulgarian painters Dimitar and Zahari Zograf.