Bulgaria has had its share of tough times, but this gem is one of the most fascinating places to visit in
Europe.
The whole country is like an open air museum: mosques from the Ottoman Era, enormous churches, and yes, the drab buildings from the post World War II era.
Bulgaria also is a rich breadbasket, offering fine wines, rose oil, abundant fruit, and a skilled labor force.
Its industry is heavy on the services side, followed by industry and then the agricultural sector.
Bulgarian craftsmanship is also often overlooked: its beautiful ceramics, for example, are colorful, sturdy, and match art with function.
Sofia, its capital and industrial center, is experiencing massive growth.
But 70 miles away in the
Rila Mountains is the eponymous monastery, dating back to the 900s.
Destroyed by fire in the 1830s, its reconstruction was finished in 1862, and boasts almost 9000 square meters of gorgeous grounds and spectacular domes.
Here are a few shots from my visit in 2003.
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