I visited the rila monastery on jan the 17th,2023,  with a minibus of one of the few agencies which offer trips to the most famous and important bulgarian monastery. We first visited the boyana church(another unesco site) ,stayed there for around 20 min,and then headed for the rila monastery where we had around 2,5 hours at our disposal. First I discovered every corner of the impressive monastery,bought some candles,had some sweets from the monastery's bakery,also bought some bread there. Then I decided to try my luck and walk to the Ivan Rilski cave....when I reached the Sveti Teodisi church I realized that I wouldnt make it back in time to catch my bus to Sofia.I hurried back to the monastery-on the way I encounterd a pack of 5-6 street dogs in the middle of nowwhere,a quite scary surprise,armed with a big piece of wood I just left them behind,what an unpleasant situation it was-and just made it to catch my return bus to Sofia.The next day my flight to Abu Dhabi was from S ofia's airport.

Whoever is interested in unesco sites and whoever visits bulgaria has to visit the rila monastery. It is the most important and most beautiful place that country can offer to the world.

The only pity is that due to the massive influx of visitors( I was there in winter time,quite a few people there,but not overran or overcrowded) the place has lost its importance as a religious site.

I love those orthodox monasteries in russia where you can feel that you are on holy ground,so to speak,no or few foreign visitors,native believers and worshippers,everyone shows respect and religious devotion.

The rila monastery has become a mere touristic place where foreign visitors in short trousers( even during winter time looking like clowns) and baseball caps take pictures of every stone there.

Nevertheless,the rila monastery is one of the wonders of our world and has to be visited when in bulgaria.