The weather is pleasant and allows short and long journeys. Alongside the celebration of Bulgarian education and culture and the Slavonic script, we decided to take advantage of the blue sky, the sun-shining sun and the pleasant summer weather. We headed for Vratsa with a few designated places and subsequently added several more. We do not travel to Vratsa for the first time.
On the way to Vratsa
I have described the way to Vratsa, but let me share it again. From Sofia we head towards Vratsa on the Hemus highway and after a few kilometers, following the signs we turned to Mezdra. In fact, the first point was not Vratsa itself, but one village - Lilyache. If you mark God's Bridges in Google Maps, the gps has brought you right in front of the fortress, which was our first goal.
1. Lily fortress
The village of Lilyache is located about 16 km northeast of Vratsa, mentioning again on arrival we did not enter the town but we went directly to Lilyache.There are signs everywhere, so follow them and you can not get lost. If not, trust your navigation.
Here that we were neatly in front of the Lily fortress. It is situated in the valley between the villages of Lilyache and Chiren. There is not much left of it - part of the fortress wall and two entrances. There is very little information about it, and from what I read it becomes clear that she was a temporary guard post in the late Roman era. Inside, across the wall everything was overgrown. Not supported. Still, I decided to look beyond her, and walking down the aisle I came across a gazebo and another paragliding trail, which you imagined drew parallel to the lower part of the fortified territory.
2. Prohodna Bozite Bridges Cave
God's Bridges - a beautiful passage cave is located just under the Lily fortress.Depending on which entrance of the fortress you have stopped the path leading to the natural phenomenon is at no-5 minutes. What I have to say is that the path that leads to this miracle of nature is forest, but on its steep side it is covered with a railing on one side. Still, it was extremely slippery, and it really has to be very careful. Have one in mind. Immediately after the rain it's not wise to visit it.
Nevertheless, the beauty that is revealed to us is left without a word or a word.It is a cave-type cave. I have already imagined such objects. Do you remember my articles about Wonderful Bridges in the Rhodope Mountains and Prohodna Eyes of God?
3. Rock Monastery "St. Ivan Pusty"
From the Bridges of God, we headed for a rock monastery "St. Ivan Pusty", which, unfortunately, was empty. The real monastery did not have a working time sign that we did not have, or something. Probably the people of the monastery had gone out on a market, on a job or somewhere else.Unfortunately, since we really wanted to visit and look at this Holy Cloister.And the monastery, as if landed on a small mountain meadow, which in turn perched on a huge rock. And all this so stashed among centuries-old trees.Climbing up the narrow, narrow road to the monastery, there is nothing to understand what awaits you at the end of the road. From the main road, he can't be seen either.
I can’t show you pictures from the monastery itself for understandable reasons, but what I've read about it is really impressive. One of the smallest monasteries in Bulgaria, preserving an old and interesting history. Today, only the monastery church exists from the original appearance of the Holy Monastery. What can be seen inside dates back to the 12th-13th century. Rock icons have been restored, with time traces over them. With its renovation, the monastery becomes a place - unique and unforgettable, thanks to the good intentions of its caring owners and laity from the surrounding area.
4. Heritage Trail Vratsa and Vrattsata Fortress
We could not even visit this fortress. Particularly impressed, we have stayed out of the way in which it was decided to exhibit it. Although it was neglected, keep in mind that the fortress itself is on a slope with screec, this is a really good way to introduce the curious visitors to the remains of the fortress's past Vratsa. The route is located at the Vratsata Pass and passes through the archaeological site in the "Gradishte" area. Wooden railings and stairs are installed to allow visitors of different age groups to visit the archaeological site. Separate recreational areas are identified. There are seven signboards with a wealth of information.
Visitors can get acquainted with the archaeological structures that have been revealed to date, which testify to the rich cultural and historical heritage of the 4th century BC. until the 14th century. There is a lot of fun, as on the other side of the road to the pass, somewhere in the forest there is a restaurant where a wedding was celebrated. You can imagine the strong music of how it sounds and how it sounds all around. Even a "White Rose" we danced.
If you are fond of history and archeology it will be very interesting to you. The indicative signs are very comprehensive and represent all that is preserved, even if it is very little.
5. Archaeological museum in the town of Vratsa
The Archeological Museum of Vratsa is home to some of the most remarkable treasures found on our lands.
The crown of the Mogilan Mound Wall is the unbelievable Rogozen treasure, which I have the honor of looking at closely. Some of the subjects I held in my hand during a lecture during my studies.
Can you imagine the emotion of holding a silver jug with gold in your hand?Incredible. Well, let me not deviate from the present.
We have explored the museum as the First Atomic Hall is a novelty. Here is a small copy of one of the engine rooms at the Kozloduy NPP. In the command room, besides models, there are real elements taken from the closed blocks of the plant. Quite exciting. As in most museums, there are permanent expositions representing the period from Prehistory, through Antiquity to the Renaissance, and in this case the near past of Kozloduy NPP.
Come and enjoy yourself in a rich, glorious, heroic past.
7. House-museum of Baba Ilija, Chelopek village
I used to visit her before, in the student years. The house of Vazov's heroine from the story "One Bulgarian woman" is located in the very center of the village of Chelopek. From Vratsa to the village the distance is about 13 km.Immediately after the Liberation of Bulgaria, Ivan Vazov is one of the first to visit the Botev places. His way leaves from the Cherepish Monastery to seek out the holy place of Hristo Botev. Inspired by the beauty of the Vratsa Nature, the Patriarch of Bulgarian Literature writes his unique verses "One Bulgarian Woman" and "Grandpa Yotso Watch".
In fact, the image of Baba Ilija is real. His birth name is Pena. She became a daughter-in-law in the village of Chelopek in the Iliya family, and from thence all began to call her Elitsa. After her there are 400 descendants of her family scattered all over the country. The museum recreates part of the bits of the gloomy of that time. Interesting exposition attracts thousands of tourists annually. I will not reveal any more to be of interest to you when you visit it.
- Mount Okolchitsa
The Battle of the Vratsa Balkan
It was the icing on our trip. I was looking forward to climbing Mount Okolchitsa. The road - about 20 kms passes through the village Pavolche, then through the village of Chelopek, for which I have already told and so imperceptibly turn after a turn we were at 1058m above sea level.
In the distant 1901. a prominent group, with the participation of the Botevs, formed the first official protocol on the fighting of the volunteers in the Vratsa Balkan. For a place where a monument of Hristo Botev and his detachment will be erected, the commission defines the peak "Okolchitsa" as "visible, personal, accessible and close to the last battle".
Interesting is the historical route "In the footsteps of the Botev Chate", which acquaints visitors with the formation and movement of the Botev Chateau from the Kozloduy Coast to these places. The route takes about an hour and 30 minutes. So if you are interested you can also get acquainted with this option to explore some of the glorious Bulgarian past. Under the hill with the monument itself there is a vast meadow where local gatherings and events are most likely to be held. There are benches, a stage, benches. When visiting the region, take a good time for Okolchitsa peak.
We visited new and unknown places within a day. If you are going for a walk in Vratsa and the surrounding area I recommend each of the places I have told you in this article.
Wishing a lot of time for trips!
