German Monastery of St John of Rila is located on a wooded slope of Lozen Mountain, 5 km away from the village of German via an asphalt road.

Legend links its foundation with the activities of its patron in the 10th century. The monastery was mentioned in records in 1469, in connection with the transfer of the relics of St John of Rila. It continued to be active over the following centuries . Having suffered from the raids of the Kurdzhaliy Turkish brigands in the late 18th century, the monastery was renovated in 1818 when a small church was added. The present-day spacious church was built in 1885.

The 19th century iconostasis with icons painted by the Samokov icon painter Ivan Dospevski and others is well preserved. Centuries-old sequoias planted by Tsar Ferdinand rise on the north side of the church. The Bulgarian writer Elin Pelin is said to have written his series of short stories Under the Monastery Vine there.

In 1928, the monastery was given to the Saint George the Zograf Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece and is currently managed through a duly appointed deputy. The monastic statute of the Holy Mount is observed.