German monastery "St. Ivan Rilski " is a Bulgarian Orthodox monastery . It is located 5 km east of the village of German, Sofia and is one of the monasteries in Sofia Mala Sveta Gora . The monastery is of great importance for Bulgarian monks and the Mount Athos . In the past there were preparing for the monks at the monastery located on Mount Athos . Nowadays often stay in the monastery monks from Mount Athos .
The history of the German monastery is long, but very interesting . It was founded in the 10th century, there is information that it lived St. John of Rila monastery therefore bears his name. Its existence does not last long and in the 14th century was destroyed by the Ottomans was not long back was built and became one of the most important centers of the Bulgarian spirit in 15-17 century. In XVIII- century Kurdzhalii plundered and burned . His story does not end there . In the 19th century, locals joint efforts erect nave small building on the ruins of the old monastery . Only in 1885 . it was rebuilt completely , taking the place of a church was built new . During a journey King Ferdinand and Queen Maria Luisa visited the monastery and in his yard planted two redwoods , which still rises majestically from the north side of the monastery. In 1936 . monastery was visited by King Boris III, who came as a guest and also planted a tree .
German monastery is outstanding not only in terms of story there , but the architecture and icons , thanks to which determine the ability of the then masters and their un deniable talent.
The monastery is located 4 km north of the village Eleshnitsa Elin Pelin, Sofia. Monastery was declared a monument of culture and architecture. Nowadays the monastery is active , but there not monks. As the story of this spiritual center is too long , there is no specific time of occurrence , but it is assumed that it was inhabited by hermit monks in ninth century. In research studies found a marble slab on which an inscription from 1499 . This provides information that the monastery was founded in the 14th century when they established many monasteries around Sofia, during the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander. Like other monasteries of Sofia Minor and he was destroyed by the Ottomans . The monastery was rebuilt for 16-17 century. In the 19th century there was hiding Vasil Levski , and when in 1876 Hristo Botev detachment was defeated , some of the surviving rebels find refuge and shelter in the monastery. The monastery is rich in many architectural and scenic information that we receive . The monastery is typical of the Late Middle Ages , it nave with two floors, the first are the premises for cattle, and the second - the monks' cells .
