The Rila Monastery is located in Southwestern Bulgaria, Kyustendil District, Rila Municipality. It is 117 km from Sofia on the international road Sofia – Kulata (E79), after turning off at Kocherinovo station. It is another 30 km up the Rila Mountain to reach 1147 m above sea level. The road winds along the fast-flowing Rila River and passes through small villages with still-preserved traditional houses from the late 18th and 19th centuries. They arose along the road as stops for the unabated stream of pilgrims over the centuries.