|
Bachkovo Monastery A short distance from Plovdiv, through the town of Assenograd, the road begins to climb into the mountains, a spectacular, winding journey which eventually will bring you to the winter playground of Pamporovo. As you pass through the picturesque village of Bachkovo you will see the magnificent Bachkovo Monastery perched on the hillside. The monastery was founded in 1083 by two Georgian brothers Gregory and Abasius Bakuriani and was a major religious centre during the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396). During the 15th and 16th centuries under Turkish rule it was ransacked and partially destroyed on several occasions. It was reconstructed in the mid – 17th century and is today Bulgaria’s second largest monastery after Rila. The monastery is stunningly beautiful and features murals and frescoes dating back to medieval times. Inside the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa you will find the cherished icon of the Virgin Mary, allegedly painted by St Luke and encased in silver. If you visit the monastery on a Sunday, you will see long queues of locals waiting to pay their respects to the image. After visiting the monastery, make your way down the hill past the souvenir stalls and you will find the tranquil Restaurant Vodopada situated on the right hand side. It is set in a quiet court yard under a tumbling waterfall and offers a variety of traditional Bulgarian dishes including its specialty, fish. Koprivshtitsa Tucked away in the Sredna Gora Mountains is the ancient village of Koprivshtitsa. Spread across a lush pasture and pine clad valley, Koprivshtitsa is crammed with cobblestone streets, museums, red tiled roof houses and tiny little stone bridges. The village oozes charm and history and has over 400 buildings of historical and architectural importance. Many of Bulgaria’s most famous writers, intellectuals and freedom fighters lived in Koprivshtitsa and you can visit many of their homes during your visit. The village is positioned 1060m above sea level and sits astride the Topolnitsa River. The air is pure, the meadows fragrant and the views are spectacular; it truly is place you have to see to believe!! Koprivshtitsa was first settled at the end of the 14th century by people fleeing to the mountains from the advancing Turkish armies. The economy prospered from sheep, goat and cattle breeding and soon the village became a wealthy place frequented by merchants and tradesmen. During the mid 19th century the population soared to 12,000 making it no longer a village but a thriving town. Koprivshtitsa is renowned as the place where Todor Kabelshkov first proclaimed the National Uprising against the Turks. This took place on 20th April 1876 on a tiny bridge called the Kalachev Bridge. This extraordinary brave man has lent his name to many squares, roads and streets in Bulgaria. Following Bulgaria’s independence from the Turks in 1878, merchants and intellectuals left their mountain homes and made their way to the cities. Koprivshtitsa became almost a ghost town but it never lost its ethics and sense of pride and history. Today Koprivshtitsa is a thriving village again remaining untouched and unchanged by time. The Bulgarian government declared the village a living museum in 1952 and a historical reserve in 1971. Koprivshtitsa welcomes visitors from all over the world but retains its quaint sense of charm. During the summer months you can experience local Folklore groups performing traditional songs and dances, proudly handed down from generation to generation through the centuries. Shipka Shipka is a small village that lies in the foothills of the Stara Planina Mountains, just below the famous Shipka Pass. In 2004 Shipka made international headlines when archaeologists unearthed a 2,400 year old burial shrine of King Seutus III, a Thracian ruler. The shrine contained vast amounts of Thracian gold and a unique solid gold mask, one of the most important Thracian treasures ever found. Tucked away in the woods, a short drive through the village, you will see the five golden domes of the Shipka Monastery poking over the tree tops. Also known as the Church of St Nikolai, this magnificent structure was built in 1902 as a dedication to those who died at the Shipka Pass during the Russian –Turkish War (1877-78). The architecture is Russian design of the period and hosts 17 church bells. The crypt contains the remains of many Russian soldiers that perished during the battle together with beautiful frescoes. The Monastery also offers wonderful views of the Valley of Roses on a clear day. North of the village is the start of the13km winding, mountain road known as the Shipka Pass. It reaches to a height of 1306m and is kept open through the harsh winters allowing traffic to pass over the great Stara Planina Mountains on the way north towards the Danube. At the top of the pass you will come across the road leading to Mount Stoletov (1326m). You have the option to either climb the 900 steps or drive to the summit where you will find the impressive 32m high Freedom Monument. It was built in 1934 as a memorial to the 7,000 Russian troops, Bulgarian men, women and children who, in 1877 died while successfully repelling attacks from some 27,000 Turkish soldiers. The panoramic views from the top of Mount Stoletov and the monument are breath taking – a destination not to be missed!!! Hisarya (Hisar) The Health Resort of Hisar is situated in the centre of Bulgaria in the southern folds of the Sredna Gora Mountains. This sleepy little town is 42km north of Plovdiv and 160km east of Sofia. The resort has been popular since the Romans first settled there. They built baths and water systems utilizing the hot mineral water and surrounded the town with a 5m high and 3m thick fortified wall. The remarkable remains of this wall can still be seen today. This natural geothermal resource consists of an amazing 22 mineral springs. The average water temperature is between 37 – 52 degrees C and produces 40 litres of water every second. There are many Spa Centers in Hisar that offer a variety of treatments and therapies using only the mineral water found in the town. Hisar is famous for its Balneological treatments. This is a combination of aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and diet. It is beneficial in the treatment and prevention of: Ø Orthopedic conditions Ø Cardiovascular conditions Ø Neurological disorders Ø Respiratory and bronchial conditions Ø Urological and liver complaints Hisar also has excellent restaurants and outdoor pools that are heated by the mineral waters. It is a great place to relax on hot, summer’s day and to take advantage of the treatments on offer. Starosel Winery and Thracian Tomb Lying in the hills of the Sredna Gora Mountains, 45km form Plovdiv, is the village of Strarosel. With the recent discovery of a Thracian Tomb and the opening of the Wine Complex, Starosel has suddenly become a very well visited village. The traditions and rituals in vine growing and wine making have been handed down through the generations and has survived in the village to this day. The Starosel Winery sits in the basin of a valley at the foot hills of the Sredna Gora Mountains and was built in the Bulgarian Revival Period style using natural materials such as wood, stone and ceramics. The Complex not only has a magnificent wine cellar where you can sample the wine and witness ancient rituals at certain times of the year, but is also a hotel and restaurant which offer high standards at low prices. One of the traditional festivals is Triffon Zarezan which is celebrated on the 14th February. On St Triffon’s Day, villagers “prune the vineyards” – a sign that the new farming season has started. Autumn is the grape-picking season and at this time Starosel becomes a very lively little village. Both locals and visitors come to witness a traditional ritual; dressed in traditional costumes, the grape pickers enter the wine cellar carrying baskets overflowing with grapes and loaves of bread. Young girls then step into the stone wine tub to squash the grapes with their feet. This is followed by a reconstruction of the ancient “drinking the wine” ritual. The Wine Complex also offers Folklore entertainment throughout the year and you are able to purchase their fantastic wine from the reception shop. A short distance from the Winery you will find the Thracian Tomb. It was discovered in 2000 and is believed to be the burial tomb of Sitalkes I, King of the Thracian Empire who ruled during the 4th century BC. The tomb, which resembles a temple, was a remarkable discovery. Even though it had been plundered over the centuries many artifacts remained. In a neighboring burial mound (believed to be the resting place of Sitalkes brother and cousins), an astonishing amount of gold, silver and bronze relics were discovered. The views from the tomb across the countryside are also spectacular. Well worth a day trip to both the winery and the tomb to experience a real sense of history and culture. Kalofer Kalofer is located in the heart of Bulgaria, nestled between the Sredna Gora and Stara Planina Mountains and sits in the heart of the Valley of Roses. Kalofer is known for its untouched natural beauty, monasteries and churches and is the gateway to the Central Balkan National Park. During the winter Kalofer is covered in deep snow and in the spring the surrounding meadows, forests and rivers burst into life. Its scenic location makes it an ideal place to experience authentic traditions, to learn about the local history and take advantage of its beautiful nature. Kalofer was first established in the 16th century during the Turkish occupation. At that time groups of outlaws roamed the hills and mountains attacking the Turks fiercely and efficiently whenever possible. These bands of determined fighters led by a man named Kalifer Voivoda created havoc among the opposing Turks. The Turks became increasingly frustrated with these attacks and eventually offered Kalifer and his men a large piece of land if he agreed to stop. Kalifer agreed and chose an area of outstanding beauty where Kalofer (and his name sake) stands today. During the following centuries, the town grew and became the centre for wealthy tradesman and merchants. Lavish houses, public buildings and schools were built and scholars came to Kalofer to be educated. Two of Bulgaria’s most famous men were educated here. They were Vasil Levski, the leader of Bulgaria’s revolution and the famous poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. Today, Kalofer has approximately 3,600 inhabitants whose main occupations are farming, ecology, lace making and handcrafts. Visitors can watch the locals create traditional carpets, lace and wooden artifacts and indulge in purchasing items if they wish. Kalofer is truly a place that will take you back in time and show you the real beauty and nature of this amazing country. Veliko Tarnovo There is probably no other city in Europe with a setting more spectacular than Veliko Tarnovo!! The town sits on top of a tree lined gorge which has been carved out by the winding Yantra River. The houses, shops and restaurants seem to “cling” to the rock face looking down to the river below. Veliko Tarnovo has long been a well frequented place attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see the ancient capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The passing centuries have left Veliko Tarnovo with a real sense of history and architecture. The town has several areas of outstanding beauty one of which are the ancient quarters. Trapezitsa Hill, on which stands a fortress, has been the residence of Bulgarian Kings over the centuries. Asenova is the artisans and merchants’ quarter which houses the ruins of medieval churches. In the Varosha area you will find the old town with its narrow cobbled streets and spectacular Revival period houses. Veliko Tarnovo is packed with museums, churches and monasteries and hosts many Folklore festivals, activities and of course the famous “light show” which happens almost every night during the summer. The city also boasts Bulgaria’s most prestigious university, attended by students from all over Bulgaria. There are many first class restaurants offering traditional Bulgarian food as well as International cuisine. A truly delightful city that will enchant all who visit!!! |
1.95583 lv
1.57570 lv
2.37396 lv
0.30 £
19÷27°C
