Rila Mountains, Kyustendil Province, Bulgaria
The Rila Mountains are a mountain range in south west Bulgaria and constitute the highest mountain range in the country and the Balkans. It is the sixth highest mountain range in Europe after the Caucasus, the Alps, the Sierra Nevada, the Pyrenees and Mount Etna and the highest one between the Alps and the Caucasus. The Rila Mountains are spread over an area of 1015 square miles with an average altitude of 4879 feet. Musala is its highest peak at 9596 feet. In geomorphological terms, the Rhodopes Mountains are part of the Rila-Rhodope massif which is the oldest landmass on the Balkan peninsula.
The Rila Mountains have abundant water resources and some of the Balkans' longest and deepest rivers originate here including the longest river entirely in the Balkans, the River Maritsa, and the longest river entirely in Bulgaria, the River Iskar. Bulgaria's main water divide separating the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea drainage systems follows the main ridge of the Rila Mountains. The mountain range is dotted with almost 200 glacial lakes such as the renowned Seven Rila Lakes. It is also rich in hot springs in the fault areas at the foothills including the hottest spring in south east Europe in Sapareva Banya.
The Rila Mountains have typical layers of montane habitat ranging from river and stream valleys at lower altitudes to mixed deciduous woodland, coniferous forests and Alpine meadows and lakes at higher altitudes and finally to rocky ridges and bare rugged peaks.
The biodiversity and the pristine landscapes are protected by the Rila National Park which is among the largest and most valuable protected areas in Europe. It is the largest national park in Bulgaria covering an area of 313 square miles and it was established in February 1992 to protect several ecosystems of national importance. Its altitude varies from 2600 feet near Blagoevgrad to 9596 feet at the peak of Musala. It occupies territory from 4 of the 28 provinces of the country (Sofia, Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad and Pazardzhik) and it includes 4 nature reserves (Parangalitsa, Central Rila Reserve, Ibar and Skakavitsa). The Rila National Park falls within the Rodope montane mixed forests terrestrial eco-region of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. Forests occupy 206.5 square miles or 66% of the total area.
The Rila Mountains also contain the Rila Monastery Nature Park which is among the largest nature parks in Bulgaria covering an area of 97.5 square miles at an altitude between 2460 and 8901 feet. It was established in 1992 as part of the newly founded Rila National Park. In 2000 some territory of the Rila National Park was re-assigned to the Rila Monastery Nature Park and was recategorized as a nature park because by law all lands in national parks are exclusively state owned. Today most of the Rila Monastery Nature Park is owned by the Rila Monastery. The Rila Monastery Nature Park includes one nature reserve, namely the Rila Monastery Forest with an area of 14 square miles or 14% of its total area.
The most recognisable landmark in the Rila Mountains is the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery. This is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and is situated in the deep valley of the River Rilska River within the Rila Monastery Nature Park at a height of 3763 feet. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 to 946 AD) and houses around 60 monks. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and south Europe. Due to its outstanding cultural and spiritual value it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Rila Mountains are also a popular destination for hiking, winter sports and spa tourism, hosting the nation's oldest ski resort at Borovets as well as numerous hiking trails.
Date: 30th May 2018
Location: Kocherinovo-Stob area, Kyustendil Province, Bulgaria
The Rila Mountains have abundant water resources and some of the Balkans' longest and deepest rivers originate here including the longest river entirely in the Balkans, the River Maritsa, and the longest river entirely in Bulgaria, the River Iskar. Bulgaria's main water divide separating the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea drainage systems follows the main ridge of the Rila Mountains. The mountain range is dotted with almost 200 glacial lakes such as the renowned Seven Rila Lakes. It is also rich in hot springs in the fault areas at the foothills including the hottest spring in south east Europe in Sapareva Banya.
The Rila Mountains have typical layers of montane habitat ranging from river and stream valleys at lower altitudes to mixed deciduous woodland, coniferous forests and Alpine meadows and lakes at higher altitudes and finally to rocky ridges and bare rugged peaks.
The biodiversity and the pristine landscapes are protected by the Rila National Park which is among the largest and most valuable protected areas in Europe. It is the largest national park in Bulgaria covering an area of 313 square miles and it was established in February 1992 to protect several ecosystems of national importance. Its altitude varies from 2600 feet near Blagoevgrad to 9596 feet at the peak of Musala. It occupies territory from 4 of the 28 provinces of the country (Sofia, Kyustendil, Blagoevgrad and Pazardzhik) and it includes 4 nature reserves (Parangalitsa, Central Rila Reserve, Ibar and Skakavitsa). The Rila National Park falls within the Rodope montane mixed forests terrestrial eco-region of the Palearctic temperate broadleaf and mixed forest. Forests occupy 206.5 square miles or 66% of the total area.
The Rila Mountains also contain the Rila Monastery Nature Park which is among the largest nature parks in Bulgaria covering an area of 97.5 square miles at an altitude between 2460 and 8901 feet. It was established in 1992 as part of the newly founded Rila National Park. In 2000 some territory of the Rila National Park was re-assigned to the Rila Monastery Nature Park and was recategorized as a nature park because by law all lands in national parks are exclusively state owned. Today most of the Rila Monastery Nature Park is owned by the Rila Monastery. The Rila Monastery Nature Park includes one nature reserve, namely the Rila Monastery Forest with an area of 14 square miles or 14% of its total area.
The most recognisable landmark in the Rila Mountains is the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery. This is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and is situated in the deep valley of the River Rilska River within the Rila Monastery Nature Park at a height of 3763 feet. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 to 946 AD) and houses around 60 monks. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and south Europe. Due to its outstanding cultural and spiritual value it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
The Rila Mountains are also a popular destination for hiking, winter sports and spa tourism, hosting the nation's oldest ski resort at Borovets as well as numerous hiking trails.
Date: 30th May 2018
Location: Kocherinovo-Stob area, Kyustendil Province, Bulgaria
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Also in: Bulgaria
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