Some easy walks in the Rila

The weather forecast for that day was not really good. We were intending to cross from Malyovitsa and passing by Popovokapski and reaching the mountain pass at Kobilino Branitse and to go down to Kirilova Polyana. From there we would have had a transfer to the Rila monastery. Although the forecast did not clearly specify that it would be raining, the mountain tops would have been clogged with mist. Because of that and the fact that we would have had no view at all, we decided to do something different.

For that purpose we first were transferred to Beli Iskar (meaning in fact White Iskar). From there we walked along the Iskar to Samokov. Although he altitude is quite high, the vegetation is very close to what we would have in the lower parts of Switzerland. In fact, I found similar flowers to the ones I have near my place, for instance the Allondon Valley near Geneva.

Coming close to Samokov, we went up along the Bistritsa river to have a look at the rebuilt of a trip hammer. Samokov was known for the forgery activity. It is said that this activity started when Saxons came to the place with their skills and knowledge.

Near the end of the Iskar valley is a hill called Tzar Shishman. The top was fortified. It is said that the Ivan Shishman (Tzar Shishman), who lived in the 14th century, had hidden his treasure in the Iskar valley. This is the reason one can see signs of "treasure hunting" around the place.

Later that day, we were transferred to Rila. But on our way, we went to Sapareva Banya, a small town known for its hot mineral spa (103°C). It is said that it is the hottest spring on continental Europe.

After the transfer, we visited the tombstone of St. John of Rila who is said to have stayed as an heremit in this place while creating the monastery of Rila. Behind the tombstone building is a pile of boulders where it is said that St. John lived. The cave below the boulders can be crossed through and only the clean souls can cross the cave, the other cannot make it. Crossing the cave is in fact the pagan rite of the re-born. When one has crossed the cave, he is allowed to write down a wish on a piece of paper and to insert the paper in a crack in the wall of the spring.

From the tomb of Sveti Ivan Rilski, a nice path goes down the valley towards the Rila monastery. Along the path is the chapel of St. Luke. Part of the building was formerly used as a school.

That path is part of the pilgrim's trail starting at Samokov and reaching the Rila Monastery. This is also the reason why the eastern gate of the monastery is called the Samokov Gate. The western gate is called the Dupnitsa Gate.