Rila

Erected in the middle of the 19th century, with five domes, three altars and two side chapels. One of the most precious items inside is the gold-plated iconostasis, noted for its wood-carving, the creation of which took five years. The frescoes, finished in 1846, are the work of many masters from Bansko, Samokov and Razlog. The church is also home to many valuable icons, dating from the 14th to the 19th century. Porticos in the courtyard have Mamluk influence with the striped painting and the domes, which became more popular in the Ottoman Empire after the conquest of Egypt.

The museum is famous for housing Rafail's Cross, a wooden cross made from a whole piece of wood whittled down by a monk using fine burins and magnifying lenses to recreate 104 religious scenes and 650 miniature figures. Work on this piece of art lasted not less than 12 years before it was completed in 1802.

The cave where St. John lived before the monastery was built. Requires a 20 minute hike.

Rock formations, known as hoodoos, up to 12 m high and up to 40 m thick at the base. Their shape is mostly conical to mushroom-like.