What is Rila Monastery

The Rila symbolises Bulgarian nationhood and the Orthodox Church’s most important monastery. It’s 70 miles (110 kilometres) south of Sofia, in a basin of the Rila massif. Bulgarian built the current monastery tower between the 13th and 14th centuries. Rila Monastery was designated as a National Museum in 1961. The monastery was established as a cultural monument by UNESCO in 1983. Following the fall of communism in 1991, the country’s religious state was reinstated. Read the full article to understand the history of the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila and Priroden rezervat Srebarna.

Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila

The holy cloister of Rila dates from the first part of the tenth century. Its origins can be traced back to St. Ivan of the Rila, the first Bulgarian hermit who resided in the area and dedicated his life to prayer and fasting. Initially, the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila was built near the cave where the saint lived. St. Ivan was martyred in the cave where he found solitude after dying in 946. Tsar Peter (who reigned from 927 to 969) transferred the wonderworker’s relics from the Rila to Sredets (Sofia). It was most likely at that time that he was declared a saint. 

It was designated as a National Historical Reserve in 1976 and was added to UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage in 1983. In 1991, the state reinstated the cloister’s monastery status and closed the Rila Monastery National Museum. By publishing in State Gazette, edition No 73 of 1992, Rila Monastery, Hrelyo’s Tower, and the monastic buildings were recognised as a group architectural, artistic, and historical complex of national significance. One may climb the tower nowadays to see the original frescoes inside and enjoy the view of the monastery courtyard and the Rila mountains. Glass walls protect the frescoes because they are so valuable.

Priroden Rezervat Srebarna

Srebarna Nature Reserve or the Priroden rezervat Srebarna is a nature reserve in northeastern Bulgaria (Southern Dobruja), near the same-named settlement, 18 kilometres west of Silistra and 2 kilometres south of the Danube. It consists of Lake Srebarna and its surroundings, and it is located on the Via Pontica, a migratory habitat route that connects Europe and Africa. In 1948, the region was designated as a wildlife reserve; since 1975, it has been a Ramsar site. In 1983, the resource was added to the List Of Unesco World heritage. The reserve includes a 6 km2 security zone and a 5.4 km2 buffer zone. 

The depth of the lake fluctuates between 1 and 3 metres. A museum has been built, with various stuffed animals native to the reserve on display. A wide variety of animals can be found in the area. The reserve is home to 21 reptiles,39 mammals, ten fish species, and amphibians. Still, it is most known for the 179 bird species that nest on its land, including the Mute Swan, Dalmatian Pelican, Duck, Marsh Harrier, Greylag Goose, Titmouse, Cormorant, Bluethroat, and Heron. All around the lake, there arises hydrophyte flora such as reed. There are 139 plant species in reserve, 11 of which are threatened with extinction outside Srebarna.

Rila Monastery Museum

The museum currently houses four exhibitions:

• A historical museum

• An ethnographic museum

• An icons exhibition

• A replica of a traditional Bulgarian room

The largest exhibition is held at the historical museum. A central feature is the Rafail’s cross, a hardwood carved pass with the best carvings, imitating 36 religious themes with 600 characters. It was built in the late 18th century by a Buddhist monk Rafail. It required the monk twelve years to finish, and he eventually went blind. Traditional Bulgarian garments from various sections of Bulgaria are on display in the ethnographic exhibition. Another critical location is the icons display, which features some of the oldest icons of the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila.

Conclusion

The monastery has had a problematic hundred years. Religious activities inside the sanctuary were prohibited during Communist rule in 1961, and the Rila Monastery became designated a museum. The monks were all evacuated and relocated to different monasteries throughout the country. They were allowed to come back in 1968 to take care of the property. The oldest surviving structure is Hrelyo’s tower, located within the monastery grounds. It was named after a local monarch who had been in power when the monastery was being built. In this article, we have discussed the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila and explored various facts about the history of the Priroden rezervat Srebarna.