It may have taken 6 million matchsticks and 16 years, but artist Plamen Ignatov has finally completed a miniature model of the famous Rila Monastery in Bulgaria.
The structure, which is made out of wood, matches and gems, is a complete scale replica of the real-life building. Ignatov managed to get every last detail down perfectly, including a picture of Jesus which is carved into one of the walls of the monastery. The real Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and is regarded as one of the country’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments.
Ignatov follows a long list of other matchstick enthusiasts (yes, this is a thing) who have taken it upon themselves to recreate some of the world’s most famous landmarks. The Taj Mahal, London’s Tower Bridge and the Sydney Opera Houses have all been transformed into matchstick masterpieces. So, matchstick artisans, when are we getting a model C.N Tower? Any takers?