Bulgarian artist Plamen Ignatov spent 16 years of his life, re-creating the Rila Monastery from 6 million matchsticks.

The Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Here are some pictures of this amazing piece, but first, here’s what the real monastery looks like:

Just look at the detail!

Striking, isn’t it?

Ignatov’s work is now on display at the Museum of Archaeological in Sofia, Bulgaria.

[via My Modern Met]