The religion has always been a big part of the 1. Rila Monastery (111km from Sofia 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 Bulgaria`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 Eastern Orthodox church 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. Boyana Church ‐ Boyana 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 Bulgarian Empire 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 Middle Ages 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 Panagyurishte 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 Pirin 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 Belasitsa 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 Old Town of eastern part are very interesting. In the you can make a short stop, then you will pass Plovdiv. 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 Pamporovo and you will continue your fortification stones, but also remarkable 4. Rupite (about 20km from Melnik) ‐ Rupite, journey. After that you can visit 1. Krastova revival churches and its own unique Petrich 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 Troyan (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 Balkan mountains from Beklemeto bank of Struma River. Nearby there are hot low Thracian plane. which is about 40 km from Troyan is mineral springs where the water temperature 1. Bachkovo Monastery (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 Rila Monastery. evening with the big variety of drinks and Overnight in Melnik. Located in the valley of Chepelare 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 Asenovgrad. 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).