10-3 야생화 천국 릴리산(Rila Mountains)

Rila is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and also on the Balkan Peninsula.

The origin of the name Rila comes from the Thracians, it means “well-watered mountain”.

Some of Bulgaria’s major rivers (Iskar, Maritsa, Mesta) take their beginnings from Rila

and more than 200 glacial lakes are situated in the mountain.

It also boasts the hottest spring on the Balkans – in Sapareva Banya town in the foothills of Northern Rila (103ºС).

The larger part of the mountain is occupied by National Park Rila which is the biggest national park in Bulgaria.

Within the boundaries of the park there are 4 nature reserves

– “Parangalitsa”, “Skakavitsa”, “Ibar”, “Central Rila”, and one Nature park – “Rila Monastery Forest”.

At an altitude of 1000m and above, the climate is typically mountainous.

Otherwise, the foothills of the mountain are in the moderate-continental and the transitional-Mediterranean climatic zone.

There is a danger of avalanches in many places during the winter.

The relief of Rila is typically alpine. 

The mountain is a glacial range, mostly granite, with glacial Cirques, beautiful tarns, moraines and high peaks.

There are 29 peaks above 2500m/8325ft.