Bulgaria Inside

German Monastery St. Ivan Rilski is situated only five km southeast of the village of German, Sofia region. A sign will guide you to monastery right before you enter the village. The road is quite good and ends in front of the sanctuary.

The monastery carries the name of St. Ivan Rilski, who was especially revered in Sofia region. It was constructed in the 10th century and features among the oldest sanctuaries in Bulgaria today. According to a legend, St. Ivan Rilski lived in the region for a little while, after which he settled in Rila.

Remains of a Byzantine fortress can be seen north of the monastery. Han Kroum’s soldiers destroyed the fortification in 809, while conquering Sredets (present-time Sofia).

During the reign of tsar Petur, the monastery turned into a spiritual center.

When Ottomans conquered Sofia in the end of the 14th century, the monastery was destroyed. Renovation took place one year later but the monastery regained its influential status in the 17th century. A second sanctuary destruction took place in the end of the 18th century.

Monks who survived the assault started renewing the monastery immediately. A new church was constructed in 1818.

Upon Bulgaria’s liberation, monks Nikifor and Kiril started renewing the monastery anew. They collected donations and managed to set up a new, beautiful church in place of the old one.

Bulgarian ruler Ferdinand visited the sanctuary in 1899 and planted sequoias in the northern part of the yard. The trees can still be seen today. Later, tsar Boris III planted a tree, as well.

Today, the monastery is one of the most visited sanctuaries in the Sofia region. It lacks accommodation opportunities and a restaurant. A good idea is to visit for an hour or two and to enjoy the peacefulness of the region. You can also attend during some major holiday, when masses are held.