Rila (Bulgarian: Рила, pronounced[ˈriɫɐ]) is the highest mountain range of Bulgaria, the Balkan Peninsula and Southeast Europe. It is situated in southwestern Bulgaria and forms part of the Rila–Rhodope Massif. The highest summit is Musala at an elevation of 2,925 m which makes Rila the sixth highest mountain range in Europe after the Caucasus, the Alps, Sierra Nevada, the Pyrenees and Mount Etna, and the highest one between the Alps and the Caucasus. It spans a territory of 2,629 km2 with an average elevation of 1487 m. The mountain is believed to have been named after the river of the same name, which comes from the Old Bulgarian verb "рыти" meaning "to grub".[1][2]
Rila has abundant water resources. Some of the Balkans' longest and deepest rivers originate from Rila, including the Maritsa, Iskar and Mesta rivers. Bulgaria's main water divide separating the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea drainage systems follows the main ridge of Rila. The mountain range is dotted with almost 200 glacial lakes such as the renowned Seven Rila Lakes, and is rich in hot springs in the fault areas at the foothills, including the hottest spring in South-eastern Europe in Sapareva Banya.
The mountain range has varied flora and fauna with a number of endemic and relict species and some of the best preserved forests in the country. The biodiversity and the pristine landscapes are protected by Rila National Park which covers much of the mountain; the rest lies within Rila Monastery Nature Park. In addition, there are five nature reserves: Parangalitsa, Central Rila Reserve, Rila Monastery Forest, Ibar and Skakavitsa.
The most recognisable landmark of the mountain range is the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's largest and most important monastery, founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila. Due to its outstanding cultural and spiritual value it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Rila is also a popular destination for hiking, winter sports and spa tourism, hosting the nation's oldest ski resort Borovets, as well as numerous hiking trails. Some of the most important hydro power stations in Bulgaria are situated in the eastern part of the mountain range.
^Български етимологичен речник, том 6, Академично издателство "Професор Марин Дринов", София 2002, стр. 256-257
^Иван Дуриданов, Южнославянските речни названия и тяхното значение за славянския топонимичен атлас, Славянска филология 3, Българска академия на науките, София 1963, стр.197 Eprints.nbu.bg
Rila (Bulgarian: Рила, pronounced [ˈriɫɐ]) is the highest mountain range of Bulgaria, the Balkan Peninsula and Southeast Europe. It is situated in southwestern...
The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery ("Sveti Ivan Rilski" (Bulgarian: Рилски манастир „Свети Иван Рилски“), is the largest...
Rila Fukushima (福島 リラ, Fukushima Rira) is a Japanese fashion-model and actress best known for her comic book roles in film and TV and has appeared in projects...
Saint John of Rila, also known as Ivan of Rila (Bulgarian: Свети преподобни Йоан Рилски Чудотворец, romanized: Svеti prеpodobni Yoan Rilski Chudotvorеts...
Rila Mukherjee is a historian and author. She is a professor at the University of Hyderabad. She is a scholar of Indian Ocean studies. Mukherjee's father...
The Rila motorway, still undesignated, is a planned motorway in southern Bulgaria. It will start from the Gyueshevo border crossing with North Macedonia...
Rila Municipality (Bulgarian: Рила) is located in southeastern Kyustendil Province, Bulgaria. Its administrative centre is Rila. The municipality covers...
The Seven Rila Lakes (Bulgarian: Седемте рилски езера, romanized: Sedemte rilski ezera, pronounced [sɛdɛmˈtɛ ˈriɫski ɛzɛˈra]) are a group of glacial lakes...
The Rila fragments are a Glagolitic manuscript consisting of eight fragmentary parchment leaves and three fragments of a 10th-century Glagolitic Old Church...
Rila National Park (Bulgarian: Национален парк „Рила“) is the largest national park in Bulgaria spanning an area of 810.46 km2 (312.92 sq mi; 200,270 acres)...
Neofit Rilski (Bulgarian: Неофит Рилски) or Neophyte of Rila (born Nikola Poppetrov Benin; 1793 – January 4, 1881) was a 19th-century Bulgarian monk, teacher...
highest point of the Balkans is Musala, 2,925 metres (9,596 ft), in the Rila mountain range, Bulgaria. The concept of the Balkan Peninsula was created...
dominant in the southwest and central parts. Bulgaria's highest mountains are Rila (highest peak Musala, 2925 m; the highest in the Balkans) and Pirin (highest...
Sveshtari and Kazanlak, the Rila Monastery, the Boyana Church, the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo and the ancient city of Nesebar. The Rila Monastery was established...
Rila Point (Nos Rila \'nos 'ri-la\) is a low, ice-free point on the south coast of Moon Bay, projecting 330 m west-northwestwards from Burgas Peninsula...
from Musalla, "near God" or "place for prayer" is the highest peak in the Rila Mountains, as well as in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula, standing...
above sea level. It is an entry point to the Rila National Park. The Bodrost hut is located in the resort. Rila National Park website Surroundings of Blagoevgrad...
glacial lakes, that give origin to the Maritsa river, seen from Musala, Rila Mountain, Bulgaria View of Lake Como in Lombardy, Northern Italy, a glacial...
Global Information
