The Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It was founded in the 10th century and is considered one of the most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments of the country. It is located in the Rila Mountains and is 117 km south of the capital Sofia. It is believed that the monastery was founded by the hermit and saint Ivan Rilský, whose name it bears. It was built on the current site in the first half of the 14th century. It covers an area of 8,800 m2 and looks like a high impregnable fortress from the outside. The impressive Chrelj tower and the main church are located in the inner courtyard. The main church was built in the middle of the 19th century. About 60 monks currently live in the monastery. The entire complex was declared a national historical monument in 1976. Since 1983, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.