The St Ivan of Rila cave near Skrino is a small vaulted rock niche above the Ruen monastery of St Ivan of Rila, in the lands of the village of Skrino, Boboshevo municipality. It lies at about 925 m. This is not the cave at the Rila Monastery where the saint spent his last years; that is a different place.
Skrino is held to be the birthplace of St Ivan of Rila. Tradition says that after his parents died he gave his inheritance to the poor and sick, became a monk and withdrew to this cave. It is considered his first hermitage.
From the Ruen monastery a waymarked path starts to the left of the tall monastery gate and climbs through beech forest. The cave is about 5 minutes away, with about 75 m of ascent. Inside are a stone wall, two icons of the saint and a large wooden cross, and visitors light candles. Locals believe the place has healing power.
St. Ivan Rilski cave is located in Kyustendil, Bulgaria.
St. Ivan Rilski cave is most easily reached by car. Use the coordinates above to navigate, or open the location in OpenStreetMap or your preferred maps app for turn-by-turn directions. Public transport options vary by region — for remote destinations a rental car gives the most flexibility.
Caves can be visited year-round — the temperature inside stays roughly 10–12°C regardless of season. Spring and autumn are quieter than peak summer. Bring a warm layer and sturdy footwear; some caves close in winter when access roads become impassable.
Access to caves varies. Show caves typically run guided tours during posted opening hours; wild caves require proper equipment and experience. Inside, the temperature stays cool year-round (~10–12°C) — bring a warm layer, sturdy non-slip footwear, and a torch even on guided tours.
