Exhibitor Description Elena is a small mountain town, which impresses with its old churches, clock tower, wooden houses and cobbled streets. At the same time Elena is a holly symbol of the Bulgarian revival spirit, a never failing source of patriotism and beauty. Nowadays Elena is a town of new investments, modern alimentary, sartorial and woodworking. Many new hotels and guest houses are located nearby. They are built in the spirit of old architecture in combination with modern style. History of the town of Elena- Elena hollow had carried life in its bosoms as far as 6000 years before Christ. The armies of Philip II and Alexander the Great had passed through the valley. During the Ottoman rule Elena became a big settlement giving shelter to many refugees from different part of Bulgarian Kingdom. Thanks to their patriotic and rebellious spirit the well-off citizens, tradesmen and chorbadjii built massive houses, churches, bridges and fountains. Elena is the only town which during the Renaissance had three churches – “Saint Nicola”, “The Assumption”, and “The Nativity of Holly Virgin”. Nature – The town of Elena is located in the foot of Elena’s Balkan, in Elena River’s valley. The climate is temperate-continental. The air is fresh and favorable to the cure of asthma and lung diseases. Elena is abundant in timber resources. On its territory there are two forest reserves – White Cow reserve with venerable beech forests, karsts sources and high limestone rocks, shaped into picturesque form. The second Haidouk Rocky Peak is a century-old beech where there are also sycamore, spruce, winter oak trees and fern.. There are a lot of bushes such as hawthorn, sweetbrier, hazel, and cornel. Elena’s Balkan is a good game region. Widely distributed are roe, red deer and wild-boar. The representatives of the small-game are hares, partridges, quails. In the high mountainous regions hawks, falcons. The rivers teem with barbell and chub. In Yovkovtsi Dam carp sheat-fish, white-fish are multiplied. The Tourist Association “Chumerna” take care of your unforgettable spending of time here there are 8 eco-paths created and supported in the municipality. The MUNICIPALITY more attractive are to Markov stone, to Raev stone, The Waterfall of the river in Hristovtsi village. In the region we offer also horse ridding and hunting. OF Cultural heritage - One can get a notion of the past of Elena if one visits the “Museum of Renaissance and the ELENA struggle for nation liberation” which disposes of five museum exposition. In the Daskalolivnitsata which is www.elena.bg emblematic for the town there are two expositions. In “Elena during the Renaissance period” exposition with the help of pictures and documents the history of the town from its creation to the Russian-Turk liberation war is presented. The second called “Archangel Mihail” which is situated on the ground floor consists of icons, mural paintings and church plate. Saint Nilola church is unique with mural paintings and its altar and it also disposes of a museum exposition. It has an excellent acoustics. In Kamburovia han( Kamburov Inn) a building transferred from Yovkovtsi village is presented the way of life and culture of population of Elena region during the Renaissance period. Ilarion Makariopolski House- museum, situated in the center of the town has preserved and still tells about the way of life of notable Elena writers of the Bulgarian National revival: Ilarion Mkariopolski fighter for church independence, his brother Nikola Mihailowski, Stoyan Mihailowski a poet-satirist. The Clock Tower- built in the distant 1812, it can be seen from any place of the town. Popnikolowata kashta ( Popnikolov’s house) with amazing architectural style, meets and guests of the town and through the displayed fossils, found in Elena region, sends them back in history, millions of years ago. The Assumption church built in the distant 1837, with materials from Kaleto fortification and made entirely of stone. To this very day, the church gathers the population of Elena keeps their faith and spirit. The five Razsukanov’s houses, built by Hadji Dimitar Razsukanov for his sons, form an entire urban ensemble. Opposite them the church “Nativity of the Holy Virgin” – a mainstay of Christianity. Folklore and Customs – folk holidays and traditions are an inseparable part of the culture heritage of the citizens of Elena. Here celebrated holidays are – Todorov den( Horse Easter) – in the morning of Horse Easter all people go to flat open area an there the young men with their horses race with them. Lazarov den or Lazaruvane is the most important custom celebrated two weeks before Easter Only maidens ( lazarki) take part in it , they sing songs to each family member, wishing fertility. Glolyama Bogoroditsa is holiday dedicated to the mother of God. Christmas – the celebration starts at midnight with the meeting of “GOOD GUESTS KOLEDARI” – they are single young men who go caroling round the village, they bless each family and its house as the sing Christmas songs. The hosts give rich presents to them. Crafts – nowadays are preserved wood-carving, icon painting, pottery so our guests can buy, make or take a souvenirs as a remembrance of our beautiful and hospitable town. You are welcome, we are waiting for you. www.cbcromaniabulgaria.eu Investing in your future! Romania-Bulgaria Cross Border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013 is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund Exhibitor Description The motto of Vratsa „ A town like the Balkan - ancient and young" reflects the glorious past of the city as an old Bulgarian stronghold and his new future. Vratsa is an active center of cultural life and is famous with its cultural institutions - the Cultural center Razvitie, the Palace of Culture, the Museum of History, the Art Gallery, the Drama and Puppet Theater, the Ethnography - Renaissance complex named St. Sofronii Vrachanski. The natural landmarks on the territory of the Municipality of Vratsa - MUNICIPALITY Ledenika cave, the pass Vratzata, the Memorial complex Botev's route, the OF God's Bridge near the village of Lilyache, the waterfalls Skaklya and Borov VRATSA Kamak and the Natural Park Vrachanski Balkan, and the symbols of the www.vratza.bg city of Vratsa - the gorge Vratzata, the Monument of Okolchitsa, the treasure from Rogozen, the Silver kneecap, the tile from the village of Gradeshnitsa, the Kurtpashov's tower and the Tower of the Meshchii and the Hut above the Square make Vratsa an unique and an attractive tourist destination for those fond of the mountain, mountaineering, religious tourism, steam and delta-gliding, speleology and rural and eco tourism. The tourists have free access to the ski slopes around the hut Parshevitsa, many eco-trails and walking routes. The Municipality of Vratsa was awarded the prestigious prize for an unique tourist destination at the International Exhibition in the holiday town Lugano - Switzerland. Varshets – town of health! The town is situated at the foot of the West Stara Planina mountain, 400 m above sea – level through the pictorial flow stream of Botunya River. Because of the therapeutic characteristics of mineral water, unique microclimate and its beautiful nature, Varshets is known as balneologist and climatic health resort of national importance. Located in northwestern Bulgaria, it is 90 km. north of Sofia, 34 km. of Vratsa and 34 km. south of the regional center of Montana. The town was founded around a mineral spring. The oldest surviving written record of its existence dates from the VI century AD in Byzantine chronicles. It is mentioned by the name Medeka (Medicus – healing) – the only town with such a name in the Roman Empire. Rich in cultural history, the town is home to the first casino in Bulgaria and the first state bath, the centrepieces of the elite, spa resort of the 1930`s. Tour the museum for a historical perspective of Varshets and view ancient artefacts. Attractions: Old Mineral Bath – Varshets, was built in 1910 on an area 1320 square meters and designed by architect Neshev. Particularly striking is the plinth of red stone and MUNICIPALITY style of windows in the late Secession style. The two pillars of the anterior recall OF the dome. Outside the building is decorated by the famous Professor Haralampi VARSHETS Genchev. The facade is decorated with two line wreath of olive branches. First www.varshets.bg manager of baths was Dr. Damyan Ivanov. New Mineral Bath – Varshets, built in 1930 on an area 732 square maters and designed by architect Radev. It is consistent with the style of the old bathroom .The roof is decorated in the four corners with small sculptures of boys riding giant snails – symbols of speedy recovery. Images of nymphs embody the living forces of nature. They keep this “temple of health”, which brings forth miraculous mineral water in the pool with Roman mosaics. Bansko casino – Varshets, the first casino in Bulgaria. It was built in 1924 and after 30 years it was electrified. The casino was visited by Prince Cyril, because of this it is still called “King Casino”. Urban forest park in Varshets, established at the beginning of the last century by voluntary work from local people and led to the Dr. Damyan Ivanov. The park covers an area of 800 acres and it is the second largest park in Bulgaria after the Borisova gradina in Sofia. It`s atmosphere recreates a piece of ancient history of Varshets – Roman steps and gazebo to the goddess of health Hygeia reminiscent of the distant past, when some of the healing power of mineral waters. Mineral water is 37 g. table, low mineralized. Indications with proven therapeutic effect include basic treatment and prevention of diseases: Nervous system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, gallbladder, liver, endocrine exchange, urinary system, gynecology, skin, ophthalmology.