Bulgaria

Things to do in Rila

4 places4 stories1 routes

Sightlore has 4 places to explore in Rila, and 4 of them come with a 60-second story in 5 languages. Point your camera at a landmark to learn its name and story, and earn points and badges at the places you actually visit.

Rila's must-sees

The city's most important places. In the app you see how many you've visited and earn a badge when you've seen them all.

  1. 1
    Monastery of Saint John of Rila

    Monastery of Saint John of Rila

    The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery ("Sveti Ivan Rilski", is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

    Read its story →
  2. 2
    Seven Rila Lakes

    Seven Rila Lakes

    The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of tarns—glacial lakes formed in cirques—in the northwestern part of Rila Mountain in Bulgaria.

  3. 3
    Pchelino Convent

    Pchelino Convent

    A National Revival-era Orthodox church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the Pchelino metochion of the Rila Monastery.

  4. 4
    Orlitsa Convent

    Orlitsa Convent

    An active metochion (dependent convent) of the Rila Monastery near the town of Rila.

Discovery routes in Rila

Visit the stops in any order and tap "Check in" at each one; finish the route to earn points and its own badge.

  • Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes

    From the Pchelino and Orlitsa monasteries to Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes in the mountains.

    By car · 7 h · 46.7 km · 4 stops

Places to visit

Places of worship

  • Pchelino Convent

    Pchelino Convent

    A National Revival-era Orthodox church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in the Pchelino metochion of the Rila Monastery.

    Has a story

  • Orlitsa Convent

    Orlitsa Convent

    An active metochion (dependent convent) of the Rila Monastery near the town of Rila.

    Has a story

  • Monastery of Saint John of Rila

    Monastery of Saint John of Rila

    The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery ("Sveti Ivan Rilski", is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

    Has a story

Nature

  • Seven Rila Lakes

    Seven Rila Lakes

    The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of tarns—glacial lakes formed in cirques—in the northwestern part of Rila Mountain in Bulgaria.

    Has a story

Explore Rila with your camera

Hear the stories on the spot, complete routes, collect badges. Sightlore is coming soon to the App Store.

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