Bulgaria has a huge number of monasteries and churches, which are often located in the most adventurous surroundings one can imagine: at the foot of vertical rocks, near the bank of rapid rivers or on the top of a hill with views of rugged mountain ranges. Throughout time, the monasteries have been the pulsating heart of wisdom and Bulgarian identity – more than anything else they are what has tied the country’s history together. Back in the second Bulgarian kingdom, the monasteries had schools for icon painting, literature and wood carving work. Those monasteries that avoided being destroyed or plundered by the Turks continued their activities and took part in keeping Bulgarian culture and religion alive through 500 hundred dark years of occupation. Today, monks and nuns take part in keeping the old buildings alive, and in many places, like Rila Monastery, they offer accommodations for tourists – a unique possibility to get close to the monastic life and the beautiful surroundings.