The Cave of Saint John of Rila

The hermit's cave

The Cave of Saint John of Rila lies a few kilometres upstream from Rila Monastery, beside the old hermitage of St Luke, amid forest and mountain streams. Here, according to tradition, the hermit John of Rila (Sveti Ivan Rilski, 10th century) spent his final years and was buried — the man of prayer and asceticism whose life gave rise to the whole of Rila monasticism. The spot has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, closely bound to the great monastery in the valley below.

What to see and the custom

The cave is small and dark, marked by an icon and oil lamps. Tradition holds that only the pure of heart can pass through it: pilgrims enter on foot and climb out through a narrow opening in the ceiling, a symbolic act of repentance and purification. Beside the cave stands the modest, quiet church of St John of Rila, raised over the saint's original tomb, his relics having later been moved to the monastery.

Practical

It is reached by a forest road beyond Rila Monastery, then a short, well-marked footpath; an easy walk and a natural addition to a monastery visit. As an active holy site, modest dress and quiet are expected. It is most pleasant from late spring to autumn, when the paths are dry.