Rila Monastery

For the ladies- it is a good idea to not wear a sleeveless shirt/dress if you want to go into the church- also, maybe have something to cover your head- just in case- sometimes the priests get picky-

away in the mountains, the monastery is on a long winding road following the river through forests. the compound is large with rooms in various styles of old bulgaria. the churches within the monastery heavy with the scent of incense and the glow of precious metals on the icons and iconostases. even when the weather is not sunny, rila is beautiful if a little sad.