Full Day Tour to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery from Sofia
Why we love it?
The Full Day Tour to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery from Sofia offers an immersive experience into Bulgaria's rich cultural and religious heritage. Over the course of eight hours, participants will visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Boyana Church, renowned for its medieval frescoes, and the stunning Rila Monastery, a masterpiece of Bulgarian architecture. This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the spiritual heart of Bulgaria, with convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off included. An English-speaking guide provides insights into the significance of each site, making the journey both educational and engaging.
Inclusions
- English speaking giude
- Transport
- Hotel pick-up/drop-off
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Entry fee for Boyana church - 12 BGN (Optional)
- Entry fee for Rila monastery museum - 20 BGN (optional)
Itinerary
Step 1
First and the main stop for the tour. The biggest and most important orthodox cloister in the country.
The monastery was built on the site of an old post house in [ ] by St. John of Rila the Wonderworker (according to some authors - by his students) in the Rila mountain. In the courtyard of the present monastery, in 1335, a defense tower and a small one-nave church were erected by the local feudal lord Protosevast Hreljo. The tower is the oldest preserved building in the monastery complex. At the top of the tower is the "Holy Transfiguration" chapel with valuable frescoes from the 1430s.
On September 21, 1378, King Ivan Shishman (1371 – 1393) issued the Rila charter, signed and sealed with a golden seal, giving the monastery 20 villages as feudal possessions, together with their lands.
Step 2
Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
Please Note
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not suitable for pets
- Not stroller accessible
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travel time is included on the total tour duration
- It is NOT allowed to wear shorts, short skirts and no tops. You have to wear only long trousers and long T-shirts
- Entrance to Rila monastery is free of charge
- Museums in Rila monastery are paid on spot. Tickets are sold at the entrance of each of the exhibitions. Price is from 3 to 8 BGN for the museums.
- On spot you need to ask which museums are open in monastery and you can buy combined ticket worth 20 BGN, you could see all museum exhibits.
- Only Cash money for Rila monastery.
- Cash or card payment in Boyana church.
- We are taking our tourists from their accommodation address
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation nearby
Cancellation Policy
Fully refundable until 1 day before start
Non-refundable after 1 day before start
