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| Wednesday, 23 July 2008 | |
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VRATZA DISTRICT
Vratza Region is situated in the eastern part of Northwestern Bulgaria. It is bounded by the regions of Montana, Lovech, Pleven and Sofia. To the north it borders the Danube, hence Romania. The territory of the region covers part of the Danubian plain and parts of the Balkan Mountains. The Ogosta, Skat and Iskar rivers cross the region. The international highway Central Europe–Krajowa–Vidin–Sofia–Kulata–Thessalonica passes through Vratza Region too. The Iskar gorge connects the region to the lands situated south to the Balkan Mountains. The first nuclear power plant on the Balkans was built on the bank of the Danube, in the town of Kozloduy. Quick facts about District Vratza
I. Popular Name: Klisura Monastery
Orthodox Name: St. St. Cyril and Methodius The Klisura monastery stands out in a picturesque place in the western part of the Balkan mountain, at the foot of the Todorini Kukli peak and close to the holiday town of Vurshets. II. Popular Name: Cherepish Monastery
Orthodox Name: God's Mother Assumption The Cherepish monastery, named “The Assumption of Virgin Mary”, is to be found 29km to the southeast of the town of Vratza, in the Iskar defile of the Balkan mountain – the latter widely known for its unique richness of natural forms and sights. III. Popular Name : Chiprovtsi Monastery
Orthodox Name: St. John of Rila The Chiprovtsi monastery lies in the valley of the Chiprovska Ogosta river, at the foot of the Yazova mountain (a part of the Western Balkan mountain range), about 4km to the northeast of the town of Chprovtsi, famous for its carpet-waving industry. IV. Popular Name: Gradeshnitsa Monastery
Orthodox Name: St Ioan The Gradeshnitsa monastery is located 38km to the northwest of the town of Vratsa, 36km to the northeast of the town of Montana, about 1.5km west of the village of Gradeshnitsa and some 2km to the south of the right-hand bank of the Ogosta river. The monastery lies in a valley north of the Kaleto (The Fortress) area, in the western end of the Selishteto (the Settlement) area, at an average height of 165m. above sea level. A small river that flows into Ogosta runs just behind the southern walls of the monastery. The cloister lies within the administrative borders of the village of the Gradeshnitsa and borders with the following villages – Lesura (to the east), Baurene (south), Ohrid and Beli Breg (west), Gromshin and the village of Kushan abandoned in the 19th century (north). The region, in which the monastery lies, is particularly picturesque – a hill, surrounded on its three sides by a canyon that winds in its skirts and connected to a plateau by a narrow strip of land. V. Popular Name: Lopushanski Monastery
Orthodox Name: St. John the Precursor The Lopushanski monastery is situated at 300m above sea level in the Chiprovtsi part of the Balkan mountain. It is impressive for its architecture, proportions and stone plastics, while the visit is long remembered for the wonderful mountainous nature in the neighbourhood. VI. Popular Name : Turzhishki (Strupetski) Monastery
Orthodox Name: St Prophet Ilia The Turzhishki (or else known as Strupeshki) monastery named after St Prophet Iliya is situated in the northern part of the Gola Glava (Bald Head) hill in the Western Fore-Balkan, on the right-hand bank of the Iskar river. The monastery is located in a beautiful area nearby the river, about 4.5km away from the village of Strupets. Initially, the monastery was built in the Cherkovishteto area of the Kurnovska river that flows into the Iskar river. The present-day monastery lies 300m away from the Iskar river. It perks over a small hill above the village of Strupets to the west of the Strupets hillock, some 10km away from the town of Roman (Vratsa district). The Sofia-Varna railway line passes nearby the village of Strupets. The Town of Vratza Town as the montain - ancient and young! The town of Vratza is located in Nort-West Bulgaria at the distance of 60 miles north of Sofia, at about 25 miles southeast of Montana, and at 9 miles northwest of Mezdra. The town is settled in the foot of Vratsa Mountain. The whole area well known national park and is one of the purest in the country with its mountains protected by the international association UNESCO. Vratza is administrative center of municipality and district with same names. It is a starting point for the routes to Vratsata gorge and Ledenika cave.
Ledenika is a cave in Vratsa Mountain, 10 miles west of Vratsa. Approximately 300 m in length. Accommodated for tourists. Ten halls, ornate with stalactites, stalagmites, stalactones, rock draperies and waterfalls. A natural site and a national tourist beauty spot. Ledenika is the most frequently visited Bulgarian cave. The highest point of the Ledenika cave is called the Seventh Sky and it is within the capacity of the most ambitious tourists.The Ledenika cave was opened for the first time in 1961. In 1962 it was proclaimed for a natural landmark. The area has very diverse and attractive natural features, which together with the recreation opportunities gives the special charm of the Eastern part of the Northwest Bulgaria. The beginning of the 21st Century laid down new requirements, broadened the human perceptions and discovered new horizons for the development of our country as a part of the progressive world. Bulgaria started to search and keep its deserved place among the rest of the European countries. The Vratsa District is a region, which in addition to the existing natural resources, the fast developing economy and its good location, has noting but only good perspectives. Quick facts about Town of Vratza Other transcriptions: Vraca, Vraza, Vratca, Vratza |
