The religion has always been a big part of the 1. Monastery (111km from and Bulgarian history and one of the biggest 3. St. Sofia Temple ‐ a reddish‐brown early 118km from Melnik)‐ founded in the 10th supportive structures of the Bulgarian people. Christian basilica St. Sofia is one of the century. During its existence the The “church” has not only been the holy and symbols of `s capital city. It is monastery was repeatedly rebuilt, the saint part of the people lives, but it has also depicted on the emblem of the city and the destroyed and reconstructed. Rila been an educational and revolutionary part. All XIV century was his godmother. It was built in monastery acquired its present the monasteries in Bulgaria played a role in the the late V century during the reign of appearance in the middle of the last fight against the Ottoman occupancy and lots Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It is considered century. It is the largest and most of revolutionists have found their headquarters the oldest in Sofia, respected Bulgarian monastery. It is and bases in them. A lot of artifacts that were survived through the vicissitudes of history. believed that the founder of the Rila included in that fight are still preserved so we 4. Church ‐ is the Monastery is the first Bulgarian hermit can still find them there. With this journey we most remarkable monument of Bulgarian Ivan Rilski (876 – 946). Born in the 70th of will give you a piece of this history, experience mediaeval painting. It is one of the best the 9th century, witnessed the decline of … and the most important, we will give you a preserved and most interesting architectural the First under Tsar piece of Bulgaria. monuments of the epoch of feudalism. The Peter, he became one of the most Day 1 frescoes in churches are from 1259. The significant figures of the who Sofia church has a total of over 240 images that affected the entire Eastern Orthodox reflect the outstanding achievements of the world and is revered as a saint under the 1. Sofia Ethnographic Museum, National Art medieval Bulgarian culture. Boyana Church name of John of Rila. Founded during Gallery and the former royal palace ‐ The was added in UNESCO World Heritage List in Byzantine rule it became the monastery museum presents folk costumes, fabrics, 1979. monastic brotherhood in support of the ornaments, wood carvings, wrought iron and Bulgarian national consciousness. others. Situated in the former royal palace with 5. National Museum of History ‐ National the National Art Gallery. History Museum was established on May 5, 2. Melnik ‐ Kordopoulov house was built 2. St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral was built 1973 by decree of the Council of Ministers. in 19th century by a wealthy merchant. It in the period between 1904 and 1912. The On March 2, 1984, celebrating the 1300 is one of the most monumental revival decision to start its construction was taken anniversary of the Bulgarian state, a new houses in the country. The house is back in 1879. Prince Battenberg targeted exhibition was opened in the former building located in the town’s eastern part and paying for its construction with donations from of the courthouse. The museum covers the consists of a ground floor that includes a the Bulgarian people. The first stone was laid period from pre‐historical times to the present wine cellar a semi‐basement and a bay in 1882 with an exclusive red carpet. According day. Ground floor store exhibits artifacts from floor intended to be inhabited. The to the old custom in the foundations of the ancient times to the Middle Ages and includes characteristic Melnik wine cellar is dug temple was built in a metal box where the gold and silver treasures (like into the rock to form a tunnel. names of the members of the government treasure), ceramics and archaeological 3. Rozen Monastery ‐ the largest were recorded. The main cluster is 45 meters findings. The first floor is devoted to the monastery in the region and one of high. The temple occupies an area of 3170 ecclesiastical art of the Bulgarian cultural the few medieval Bulgarian monasteries square meters and can accommodate up to revival in the 19 century and includes national preserved relatively intact. The monastery 5000 people ‐ as the largest hall in the National costumes, carpets and typical furnished was built in the 13th century. It is situated Palace of Culture. The bell tower in the temple rooms from that period. about 5 km from Melnik in the lower parts is 50.52 meters high and has 12 bells, cast and Overnight of Pirin. It offers exceptional views to the brought from Moscow. The largest bell weighs Day 2 peaks of Pirin and mountains, 12 tons and the smallest 10 kg. And the total and the popular melove Melnik ‐ located weight of all bells is 23 tons. The temple was Departure after breakfast from Sofia to Melnik around the city pyramidal hills, formed by declared a cultural monument in 1924 and its (174km from Sofia). the erosion of a clay soil. The current crypt exposes the most beautiful Bulgarian monastery building is from the 19th icons. century. The church is a remarkable Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] monument of culture. The murals on the oldest On the way you will pass through Stoykite through the ages on the three hills Nebet, inscription are from 1597. The wooden (30km from Devin) another village which is Dzhambaz and Taksim, gave the iconostasis, frescoes and stained glass in the included in the UNESCO world heritage and foundations of today's of eastern part are very interesting. In the you can make a short stop, then you will pass . Today Old Plovdiv has preserved monastery building there is an exposition. through another big ski resort in Bulgaria – up till now not only the Acropolis and you will continue your stones, but also remarkable 4. (about 20km from Melnik) ‐ Rupite, journey. After that you can visit 1. Krastova revival churches and its own unique has long acquired reputation as the forest (70 km from Devin town and about 45 architecture style of houses – the houses place, which is energizing and receives visitors km from Stoykite village). The legend says of Plovdiv city. We recommend you to the most popular Bulgarian prophet Vanga that a long time ago, there was a big have your lunch in one of the many Gushterova, called by the people ‐ "Aunt monastery that was on top of the hill and a restaurants in the old part of the city as Vanga. In 1992, the prophetess built church St. piece of the Cross of Jesus Christ was kept most of them offer traditional Bulgarian Petka Bulgarian, immediately became a place there. Nowadays it is believed that the place meals and the atmosphere of the of pilgrimage for thousands of people in need. brings health and prosperity to all who visit it, restaurants will give you the feeling that Icons of the iconostasis were painted by because every rock, stone and tree there you are part of these old times. renowned artist Prof. Svetlin Roussev but carry a piece of the holy cross in itself. After After the trip around the town of Plovdiv images of the saints are too realistic and not leaving the place on your way to Plovdiv you you have to leave it behind and continue approved by the Holy Synod. However, the can stop for a quick lunch at the restaurant your journey through the Balkan ordinary people like them, which brings an which is on the cross road for Lucky mountains on the way to (135 km endless stream of visitors. Nearby you can see municipality and try the local barbeque from Plovdiv), but before going into the the house of Grandma Vanga. The whole area special meals. After your lunch break you city, a short stop to enjoy the view of the is cultivated and is a beautiful spot on the right continue descending from the mountain to the whole from Beklemeto bank of River. Nearby there are hot low Thracian plane. which is about 40 km from Troyan is mineral springs where the water temperature 1. (about 30km from strongly recommended. Then you can reaches 78 C° where a huge number of people Krastova forest) is the second largest head towards Troyan to enjoy another go seeking relief from various diseases. Bulgarian monastery after . evening with the big variety of drinks and Overnight in Melnik. Located in the valley of river (also meals that Bulgaria can offer. When you Day 3 known by the locals as Chaya), about 10 are in Troyan you can try the local hard Breakfast. Depart from Melnik to Devin (about kilometers south from . The drink, which is called rakia, which in this 156km), on the way there you will enjoy one of monastery is surrounded by the mountain particular region is made mostly from the most spectacular views that Bulgaria offers hills, which together with its huge size and plums. Overnight. ‐ the beauty and glory of Rodopi mountains. oldness make it one of the most visited Day 6 The region is full of caves, wild animals, rivers places in Bulgaria. The complex and its Breakfast. Visit of the Troyan monastery and it`s probably the home of the best surroundings have become a developed (only 10 km from the town itself). Bulgarian folkloric songs. tourist destination with many shops, stalls Established at the end of the 16th century and restaurants. Here you can find literally the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, is 1. The first stop that we strongly recommend is everything that grows or is produced in the picturesquely situated on the banks of the the Yagodina cave (about 20km past Devin). ‐ rare herbs, 10 km from Troyan. It was With its 10,500 meters Yagodina Cave is the homemade jams from wild fruits, goat and founded around 1600 (Callistratus of third in length in Bulgaria and the longest in the buffalo yoghurt and cheese, Rhodope`s Aphidnae abbot). It is a home to one of Rhodopi Mountains. It was formed during the woolen blankets. the holiest icons in the Bulgarian Proterozoic period and it has three main levels 2. The next stop is the impressive Asenova Orthodoxy ‐ The Three Handed Virgin. and two intermediate. The third level was fortress (about 10km from the Bachkovo Afterwards you will have to start your turned into a tourist route in 1971‐1982, and it monastery). The first written evidence of the journey back to Sofia, but before that is 1100 meters long. Magnificent and beautiful castle dates back to the 11th century. The there is one more sight that we formations can be seen throughout the tourist fortress was conquered by the Crusaders recommend you to see, the town of route ‐ stalactites, stalagmites, stalaktons, during the Fourth Crusade. It was enlarged (70 km from Sofia and 90 sinter lakes, leopard skin, dendrites, draperies and strengthened during the reign of Tsar km from Troyan), the town has played a and one of the most unique formations ‐ the Ivan Assen II. In the fall of Bulgaria under major role in the Bulgarian history as one cave pearls. Total 22 kinds of entities from the Ottoman rule the fortress was destroyed. of the most important centers of the world famous 28 kinds. After visiting the cave 3. Upon arrival in Plovdiv you will check in the uprising against the Turkish occupancy. you can spend some time around it for lunch in hotel and have dinner in one of the most Koprivshtitsa is still singing the songs of one of the restaurants which surround it and famous restaurants in Plovdiv, Veselo selo the old times. Around its cobblestone enjoy the magnificent picture of the Trigrad with a very attractive folkloric program and streets you can still hear the sound of gorge and experience the peaceful and superb traditional dishes. Overnight. running horses, the air is soaked with the relaxing surrounding of the Rodopi mountains. Day 5 scent of resin, thyme and wild 2. The next stop on the way is another cave Breakfast. Trip around Plovdiv. strawberries, the whisper of the wind the Devil’s throat (Dyavolsko garlo), also about 1. Old part of Plovdiv. The sights of the city of brings the stories of this magic town. 20km away from Devin and about 15km from Plovdiv are difficult to rank in importance, Arrival in Sofia. Dinner and overnight. Yagodina cave). Devil's Throat cave is a architectural or social significance and Departure. precipice which is formed due to landslide. The uniqueness. Among them, arguably the most Price with rented car: 4‐star hotels: 550 cave is situated 1.5 kilometers north of Trigrad, visited and photographed place is the Ancient Euro per person in a group of 2; 470 Euro Trigrad Gorge in the Rhodopes. The main part Theater, built in the 2nd century during the per person in a group of 4 Single is occupied by a large hall, which is the highest reign of Emperor Trajan. supplement: 160 Euro 3‐star hotels: 480 underground waterfall on the Balkan Plovdiv Amphitheater is remarkable not only Euro per person in a group of 2; 390 Euro Peninsular. The name comes from the cave in identifying the architectural and historic per person in a group of 4 Single entrance in the form resembling a devil's head. significance, but it is also part of the cultural supplement: 135 Euro The length of the cave is 110 meters, width ‐ life of the city. It hosts a large number of 40 meters, and reaches a height of 35 meters. concerts, operas, plays and many festivals After that it`s time to go to Devin to finish this throughout the summer months of the year. day`s adventure in the hug of leisure SPA To facilitate tourists, the time has collected procedures in your hotel combined with some more significant urban landmarks and traditional Bulgarian meals and drinks. monuments in the outlines of three hills, old Overnight. town, where prehistoric settlement first Day 4 occurred ‐ the ancient Thracian Evmolpia Breakfast and departure to Plovdiv (about 115 ancestor of today's Plovdiv. Nebet Tepe km from Devin). fortress was the stronghold, which extends Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]