The village of Yagoda is a balneology resort, which lies at a distance of 16 km from the town of Stara Zagora and is located in a beautiful forest area, located on the northern slope of Sredna Gora.
The hot mineral water is suitable for SPA procedures and balneology treatment. It is successfully applied upon the treatment of locomotory system diseases, neurological, gastrointestinal, gynecological, skin and other diseases.
In the resort, there is a balneology treatment establishment, an open-air mineral swimming pool with a beach.
Museum House of Peyo Yavorov – town of Chirpan
The Museum House of Peyo Yavorov is situated in the central part of the town of Chirpan. It was declared a museum on 31 October 1954 in honor of the 40th anniversary of his death, and in issue 72 of the State Gazette of 1977 it was also declared an architectural and constructional monument. Even before it was officially declared a museum, the house was subject to visits. In 1924 for the 10th anniversary of the death of the poet, his home was visited by Geo Milev (another renowned Bulgarian poet) and other authors. Because of this, later, Yavorov’s older sister devoted one of the house rooms to the poet’s admirers.
Peyo Yavorov was born in Chirpan on 1 January 1878 (13 January according to the new calendar) and lived in his native home until the age of 17. Besides his active literary activity, Yavorov was also known as a participant in the National Liberation Movement of Macedonia and the Balkan War (1912 – 1913). Peyo Yavorov is an author of more than 160 poems in three poetry collections, which have been translated into more than 20 languages, among which Russian, Belorussian, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, German, English, Armenian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, French, Romanian, etc.
The poet is considered one of the fathers of symbolism in Bulgarian lyrical poetry.
The museum exposition in Chirpan presents the original domestic arrangement of the kitchen, the guest room (also called “the middle room”) and the so called Peyo’s room. The portrait of Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha (Bulgarian revolutionaries and partisans of the liberation from Ottoman dominion) can be seen in the guest room, displaying the attitude of the family towards the liberation struggle. The guest room is preserved in the way in which the Yavorov family had arranged it, preparing to welcome the poet and his wife Lora in September 1913.
The middle room was the room of the poet’s mother Gana Kracholova, where she loved to sing traditional Bulgarian songs.
The working desk of the poet, on which his favorite book – Johan Goethe’s Faust was placed, and his bed with metal bars, are preserved. In this room Yavorov had spent multiple sleepless nights, reading the poetry of Botev, Vazov, Pushkin, Lermontov and Nekrasov. The portrait of Pushkin, which Yavorov had cut from the Russian magazine Niva and put in a frame, was hung on the wall.
A bust – monument of the poet was placed in the house yard.
In 1973 an Exposition Hall was opened in the Museum. Pictures and belongings representing the life and the work of Yavorov from the old Chirpan, his school years in Plovdiv, the work of the poet as a telegrapher in various Bulgarian towns, his participation in the cultural circle called Misal (Thought) are presented in it.
Since 1968, the annual January days of Yavorov have been conducted in Chirpan. Their opening day is the birthday of the poet – 13 January. The cultural event is accompanied by literary readings, exhibitions, round tables, etc. The museum also organizes multiple book premiers, contests and concerts.
On 13 July 2006 the Museum House of Peyo Yavorov was included in the list of the 100 National Tourist Sites together with the monastery St. Atanasius, which is situated at a distance of about 15 km from Chirpan, in the village of Zlatna Livada. The Monastery has existed since Roman times.
Museum House of Peyo Yavorov
Town of Chirpan, 26 Kracholovi Str.
Tel: +359 416 94019
e-mail: javorovch@abv.bg
Natural Park “Balgarka”
The Balgarka Natural Park is located on the northern slopes of the central Balkan Mountain – above the Shipka and Tryavna areas. The park was declared a preserved area by order No. RD 7775 of 2002 to preserve, restore and maintain the flora, fauna, beech ecosystems and landscapes, typical for the Balkan Mountain.
The total area of the park is 21,772 hectares and includes territories of Gabrovo and Tryavna municipalities. The average altitude of the park above sea level is 940 meters, and the displacement is 1,120 meters.
The diverse topography and climatic conditions are the reason for the great diversity of plant and animal species. About 70% of the officially recognized medicinal plants in Bulgaria can be found in the park. The forest fund of the territory of Balgarka is about 80% of its total area, 65% of which is occupied by beech. More than 1,360 plant species have been established on the territory of Balgarka, 32 of which are included in the Red Book of Bulgaria (a list of endangered, threatened or extinct species, found in Bulgaria). The forests on the territory of the park are home to the Brown bear (Ursus arctos), the Gray wolf (Canis lupus), the Red deer (Cervus elaphus), the Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the Wild boar (Sus scrofa), the European badger (Meles meles), etc. The following species can also be found on the park territory: Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the Lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), several woodpecker species, four species of swallow, etc.
The preserved areas Studen kladenets, Stolitsa, Mahchenitsa-Yovovtsi, Sokolski monastery and the landmarks Mahnatite Skali, Vikanata Skala, Estestveno Tisovo Nahodishte (Natural Yew Field) and the ancient tree Golemiat Buk (The Big Beech) are located in natural park Balgarka.
The architectural and ethnographic complex Etara and the Sokolski Monastery are also situated on the territory of the park. They provide opportunities for cultural tourism. The visitors of Etara can reach the Sokolski Monastery by a marked tourist path.
The park has several other eco paths. One of them – eco path “Uzana” – passes through the eponymous area, which is the geographic center of Bulgaria. A rope trolley travels along the path, and the following installations are built along the route: a playground, several recreational sites, a panoramic platform and shelters. One of the most interesting places, especially for the children, is the Forest School – a classroom with wooden desks and board, located outdoors in the woods.
There are several other eco paths and bicycle routes near the village of Bazovets. Gabrovo, Tryavna and Plachkovtsi are starting points for many other tourist routes. The European hiking route Kom – Emine passes through the territory of natural park Balgarka (in its Bulgarian section, the route passes through the Uzana area – Shipka peak – Buzludzha hut – Balgarka hut – Gramadliva hut).
The territory of the park is suitable for horse riding – in the Uzana and Todorcheta areas. The “Vikanata Skala”, the caves below Buzludzha peak and the rock massifs near Stanchev Han village are the places, suitable for extreme tourism – mountaineering, rock climbing, caving. The peaks Ispolin in Uzana, Bedek and Balgarka are suitable for the admirers of paragliding.
Natural park Balgarka is situated in an area with traditions of eco and country tourism. In Gabrovo, Tryavna and the nearby villages, you can find various accommodation options.
The visitor center of Balgarka Park is located at the southern parking lot of the Etara architectural reserve. The center offers various guided tours and educational programs on topics such as biodiversity, tourism in the park, mountain survival, etc.
Directorate of the Balgarka Natural Park:
1, Minzuhar Str., town of Gabrovo
Visitor Center: southern parking lot of AHC Etara
Tel: +359 66 808 857
Е-mail: dppbulgarka@abv.bg
Website: www.ppbulgarka.net
National Park-Museum Shipka, Shipka Peak
National Park Museum Shipka is located on top of Shipka Peak (1,326 m) in the Balkan Mountains, 28 km from the town of Kazanlak and 22 km from the town of Gabrovo. The park comprises 26 monuments, the reconstructed battle positions, artillery batteries and dugouts of the defenders of Shipka Pass during the Russo-Turkish War from 1877-78. The Liberty Memorial is among the largest monuments in the park. Its outline resembles a medieval Bulgarian fortress and can be seen from dozens of kilometres. It was built with donations from the people from all over Bulgaria and was inaugurated on 26 August 1934. It is 31.5 m tall and 890 steps lead up to it. The powerful bronze lion – the symbol of the Bulgarian state – guards the entrance to the Memorial. The other three walls of the monument bear the names Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora – the battlefields in defense of the Pass. On the ground floor under a marble sarcophagus, rest the remains of Shipka’s defenders. The sarcophagus stands on four prone stone lions and above it as honour guards stand the statues of a Bulgarian Opalchenets (a member of the voluntary Bulgarian army units) and a Russian soldier. The other seven floors of the museum display personal effects of the soldiers and volunteers, medals, photos, weapons and documents related to the battles fought over Shipka. One of the exhibits is a copy of the Samara Flag – the first battle flag of the Bulgarian Opalchentsi. The highest platform of the Liberty Memorial affords a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings.
There are information materials and souvenirs available for sale at the Park-Museum. There are also hiking and motor tours to the monuments within the park.
The Russo-Turkish War from 1877-1878 was between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. Serbia, Montenegro and Romania, the Bulgarian Opalchentsi and the Finnish Guard Regiment also took part in the war on the side of Russia. The war ended with a victory for Russia and the signature of the Treaty of San Stefano, subsequently superseded by the Treaty of Berlin. The Russo-Turkish War is known as the War of Liberation as it brought complete independence to Serbia, Romania and Montenegro, while a part of Bulgaria was declared a vassal principality. The rest of Bulgaria remained within the boundaries of the Empire as the autonomous province of Eastern Rumelia. In the autumn of 1885, Eastern Rumelia united with the Principality of Bulgaria.
Museum Directorate in the town of Kazanlak
Tel: +359 43162495
Е-mail:shipkamuseum@mail.bg
Website:www.shipkamuseum.org
Pavel Banya
The city of Pavel Banya is a balneology center known for the healing properties of its mineral hot springs. The city is located in central Bulgaria, 24 km from the city of Kazanlak and 180 km east of Sofia. The population of the city is roughly 2,700.
The city’s median temperature in January is 1-degree Centigrade, and during July 22-degrees Centigrade. The climate is continental Mediterranean, and the city is 400 meters above sea level.
The city was founded shortly after Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman domination in 1878. Though the city does not have a long history, the region has long been settled. Archeological excavations have uncovered an ancient city, Roman baths, and the remains of early Christian churches. The city is situated in the Valley of the Roses and Thracian Kings, and there have been important archeological finds nearby, such as the tomb of the Thracian king Sevt III in the Golyama Kosmata (Great Kosmata) burial mound, along with the tomb of the Thracian king Ostrusha. In the nearby city of Kazanlak, there is another impressive tomb that has been included in the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites.
There are 9 hot springs in Pavel Banya. Seven have a temperature between 50-61-degrees Centigrade, with a slight mineral and alkaline content. The mineral content in two of these hot springs is particularly suited for medicinal procedures. The water at the spa is particularly helpful for patients suffering from bone and joint disorders, problems with the central nervous system, and orthopedic trauma.
The Pavel Banya spa offers many options for accommodations – spa complexes, hotels, and family guest houses. Almost every hotel in the city has pools and other facilities fed by the thermal springs, with the latest balneology equipment and trained staff to serve the guests. Restaurants at the resort offer a wide range of local dishes.
Not far from the city is The Koprinka Reservoir, which offers excellent opportunities for fishing and relaxing in pristine natural surroundings. Visitors can learn about other activities in the city and the surrounding region by visiting the Pavel Banya Information Center in the city’s Lecture hall and community center.
The Pavel Banya Information Center
4 Osvobozhdenie Street, Pavel Banya
Tel: +359 4361 2148
Website: www.pavelbanya.eu
Тhe Ostrushka Burial Mound – city of Shipka
Тhe Ostrushka Burial Mound is located near the city of Shipka. In 1993, archeologists unearthed a cultic burial complex of great artistic and historical worth containing coins and other artifacts that date from the 4th century BCE.
The monumental complex has six chambers. The southern entrance opens onto the central “hub” that provides access to the other three chambers located north of it. The chamber to the right is round and covered by a cupola. The other chambers lack a monolithic tomb and are built of skillfully crafted granite blocks set at right angles. The southwestern chamber is square. Metal objects used to sacrifice a horse were found in this chamber.
A mound of equestrian trappings was discovered in the northwestern corner of the chamber – a headpiece in the form of two stylized axes and a three-dimensional griffin’s head together with six silver nabuznitsi (helmet attachments). All are richly ornamented with plant and animal figures.
In the immediate vicinity were found crushed and deformed fragments of a silver vial and small pitcher.
The site is a burial chamber resembling a sarcophagus, made of a single granite monolith.
All of the granite blocks used to construct the tomb come from a quarry found on the southern slopes of the nearby Sredna Gora mountains.
The ceiling of the central chamber is covered with murals, and some of the detail is gold leaf. Best preserved is a small image of a woman’s head with long brown hair who is wearing golden earrings and a golden necklace. The skillfully executed image is done in the regular proportions consonant with realistic Thracian portraiture of the mid-4th century BCE.
After the ritual oblations were made to the ruler, this sanctuary was covered and so became a burial site.
Around the 4th century of the Common Era, the cultic burial complex was dug up and the murals on the ceiling were destroyed.
Staff at the Golyamata Kosmatka (The Great Kosmatka Burial Mound) offer guided tours to the Ostrushka site, with lectures available in Bulgarian, English, German, and Italian.
The burial site is part of the Valley of the Roses and Thracian Kings complex, which includes the Kazanlak tomb, along with sanctuaries and Thracian tombs known as Golyama Arsenalka (Great Arsenalka), Shushmanets, Helvetsia, The Gryphons, The Saint, and The Great Kosmatka Mound.
The Kazanlak Museum of History
Tel.: +359 431 63762
E-mail: museum.iskra.kz@abv.bg
Website: www.muzei-kazanlak.org