Rila, Bulgaria - July 5, 1993  The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated up in the Rila Mountains 73 miles (117 kilometers) south of Sofia, which is the city where I was born.  The Rila Monastery is in the deep valley of the Rilska River at an elevation of 3,763 feet (1,147 meters) above sea level. The monastery is named after the famous Bulgarian saint and hermit Ivan of Rila.  Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and it is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southeastern Europe as a whole.

It was my friend Maria Todorova who was kind enough to drive me to the Rila Monastery.  We went there with several of her friends including this French woman.  (Photo by Maria Todorova)