Hrelov Tower

Overview

The Hrelov Tower is a defensive fortification medieval structure, built by Protosevast Hrelyo in 1334 - 1335 and intended as a shelter. It is located at 1147 meters above sea level in the eastern part of the yard of the Rila Monastery. The construction of the tower is connected with the relocation of the monastery to its present place. The Hrelev Tower serves to protect the monastic fraternity, while also hiding the monastery's values ​​in times of danger. During the Ottoman rule it was used many times in troubled times to prevent robberies and attacks. The tower was also used as a prison and isolator for the mentally ill. The Hrelov Tower has an almost square base of 7.75 X 8.25 m and has a height of 23 m. Steep stone steps are built into its 1.8 m thick walls. The elliptically vaulted ground floor is slightly dug into the ground. The only entrance to the tower was to the first floor with a movable wooden connection to the terrain. The rooms from the I to the IV floor are intended for temporary living - they have wooden floors and scarce lighting through the loopholes. At the base of the tower there is a well with drinking water. There are openings from which to pour boiling oil and tar on the attackers. The service rooms are a sink (II floor) and toilets (III and IV floor) in the form of bay windows. On the 5th floor of the tower is the Chapel of the Transfiguration with unusual iconography. The oldest image of Ivan Rilski is preserved in the eastern part of the chapel. To the north, south and west the chapel is surrounded by a narrow gallery covered with small blind domes between transverse arches, and to the east is the altar niche. On each wall there are three powerful buttresses connected by brick arches, which strengthen the stability of the tower and carry the bay window-shaped chapel. In 1844 a two-storey bell tower was added to the west side of the tower. The Hrelov Tower is a cultural monument and as part of the Rila Monastery since 1983 is under the protection of UNESCO.