IMG_7864 - Ahead is the main church, "Nativity of the Virgin Mother", built by Peter Ivanovich in 1834-5.
IMG_7865 - One source said that the residence had small apartments for about 110 monks, plus the necessary general rooms.
IMG_7866 - Rick Steves says there are "a handful of monks" there now, and I see online that the public can stay overnight.
IMG_7868 - Rila Monastery buildings. The residence, the original defensive Hrelja's tower, and the church.
IMG_7869 - More buildings to the right of the church complete a quadrangle.
IMG_7871 - These colourful frescoes were a bulwark of Bulgarian cultural identity during Ottoman occupation.
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IMG_7875 - The entrance to the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mother, with our local guide
IMG_7876 - The sinners are in the flames of Hell below. Above, demons and angels evaluate candidates for Heaven.
IMG_7877 - Hrelja's tower was built in 1334 as the original defensive tower. It was the only part that survived an 1833 fire.
IMG_7881 - The bell tower was added to the side of Hrelja's defensive tower in 1844.
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