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Bulgarian Sites and Information
This page is to record information about the culture of Bulgaria, and interesting sites there
Червен бряг, Červen Brjag, Cherven bryag, Bulgaria
Adrian is in the process of applying for a European project to promote the value of clay. NGO Alexis Project had a meeting with his Bulgarian partners from Cherven bryag.
In these photos, on the land of a local factory for bricks, an open area exhibition with a small museum with hand made ceramic artefacts made during a yearly event, as a camp for artists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th November 2015
We hope to improve this local event using European money, as well as making a mirror site, at the Vogna Cultural Site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th November 2015
Here is a selection of photos from the site:
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th November 2015
Storgozia Fortress, Pleven
In Kailaka Park, Pleven, there is an archaeological site known as Storgozia Fortress, an ancient Roman fortification. The monument is well kept, renovated, has parking, and there is an information point nearby. It is an important tourist attraction.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Revival Area, Pleven
In the centre of Pleven is an interesting Revival Area, full of replicas of ancient houses from regional culture and architecture, well constructed and fitted out, and used for tourist activities such as shops and cafes. The centre is now being renovated with European funds, and will soon be a very good area for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
General Lavrov Park, Pleven
Near Pleven there is a huge nature park known as General Lavrov Park, with several natural protected areas, rest areas, historical monuments and statues, as an important cultural and natural tourist attractions. It is badly promoted, and not kept in good order.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Location of General Lavrov Park.
Photo: Google Earth
Kailaka Park, Pleven
In the city of Pleven there is a huge natural protected area known as Kailaka Park, with several rest areas, tourist facilities and historical monuments. It also has a huge lake and many natural protected areas.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Historical Museum, Pleven
In the centre of Pleven is a huge building dedicated to the Historical Museum, with many good collections and very good specialists to study the past of the area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Statue of Gerneral Skobelev, Pleven
In the middle of the town of Pleven is an important historical monument to General Skobelev who fought in the 1887 War of Independence against the Turks for the freedom of Bulgaria.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Drama Theatre, Pleven
In Pleven there is an important cultural attraction, the Ivan Radoev Drama Theatre, kept in very good condition by the Municipality for the benefit of both the residents and for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Art Gallery, Pleven
In the middle of Pleven town is a modern tourist attraction, the Iliya Beshkov Art Gallery, an important cultural monument of the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Mother Bulgaria Statue, Pleven
In the middle of Pleven town on top of the hill is a huge monument dedicated to Mother Bulgaria, who is watching the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The monument demonstrates the patriotism of Bulgarians and their pride as being part of the world's culture and history.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
General Skobelev Park, Pleven
In Pleven town in Bulgaria there is a huge park, on top of the hill, having a good view over the landscape of the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The Park is dedicated to an important Russian General, General Skobelev, who fought in 1877 for the freedom of Bulgaria.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
At the entrance to the Park there is a huge monument dedicated to Mother Bulgaria, watching over the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The Church of the Assumption at Nikopol
In the northern part of Bulgaria, in the town of Nikopol, on the right bank of the Danube, on top of the hill is the ancient church of The Assumption, built in 1840.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The church is in good repair, and has been supported by concrete foundations, but it is not promoted satisfactorily, even though the Church is an important one for the culture of the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The Church of St Petru and Pavel
In the northern part of Bulgaria, near the town of Nikopol, on the right bank of the Danube, in the Turkish part of the town is the ancient church of St Petru and Pavel, known by only a few of the locals.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The church is well preserved, has two very well protected levels, and is a beautiful destination for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Shishmanova
In the northern part of Bulgaria, near the town of Nikopol, on top of the hill overlooking the Danube, on the right bank, are the ruins of the old fortress of Shishmanova.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
It has been well reconstructed, but is not well promoted.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
St Trinity Orthodox Church, Kneja
In Kneja town, Pleven District, Bulgaria, is a beautiful Orthodox church, St Trinity, placed in a natural park.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The church is in good repair, and well promoted, with beautiful icons inside.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Location of St Trinity Church, Kneja, Pleven District, Bulgaria.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Ghergana Park
Ghergana Park, in Kneja town, Pleven District, Bulgaria, is a huge green area with tourist facilities, including a zoo garden.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Location of the Park.
Photo: Google Earth
St Dimitri Church Iskar village
In Iskar village, Pleven district, Bulgaria there is, in the centre of the town a small ancient church known as St Dimitri, an Orthodox Christian church, well preserved and in good repair, which preserves a few ancient paintings on the bell tower walls.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The roof of the altar is made in a very ancient and interesting way, with stone pieces put on one after the other.
The yard of the church is huge but clean and covered with grass and trees.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Position of the church in the village.
Photo: Google Earth
Eliya Fountain/Ceshmea
In the northern part of Bulgaria, Pleven district, Nikopol town, in the right bank of the Danube, on top of the hill, in the Turkish part of the town, is Eliya Fountain.
It is made with ancient Roman stones dating from the 3rd Century BC.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The surroundings of the fountain have been improved to create a very well presented rest area for tourists, even though only a few of the locals know about its existence in their own town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Bulgarian Roman Bridge
In the Pleven district, Bulgaria, half way between Belene and Pleven towns is a small village, Bulgarene.
Near the village, crossing a small river, there is an ancient stone bridge built by the Romans, reconstructed by the Turks, and renovated by the Bulgarians, still in good condition, even though it is 2000 years since it was made.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe May 2014
The bridge demonstrates the architectural brilliance of the Romans, and is made of huge stones, joined with mortar.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe May 2014
Persina
In the northern part of Bulgaria, in the Pleven district, on the right bank of the Danube River, and near the town of Belene, is a huge natural protected area known as Persina Park.
This is a model for European projects to be applied over natural protected areas to improve their value and to provide several applications for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The area has been improved with a complex including a museum and an info-point, a wooden watch tower which provides a general view over the area, a lot of non-verbal animation related to types of flowers and animals of the area, as well as being placed just near the Dimum Roman Fortress, an archaeological site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Dimum Fortress
In the northwestern part of Bulgaria, in the Pleven District, there is a beautiful reconstructed ancient Roman archaeological site known as Dimum Fortress, on the right bank of the Danube River.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
The site is a model of how to promote, to protect and renovate, and to use an archaeological site for the benefit of thematic tourism.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 12th May 2014
Ethnographical Museum complex in the centre of Vratsa
Several beautiful rural houses are hosted in an Ethnographical Museum compile in the centre of Vratsa town, with important exhibitions about the rural life in these houses from the 19th to the 20th century.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Vratsa town has an important tourist potential, with a lot of tourist attractions as an historical, natural and ethnographical centre.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Mizia and Oryahov historical monument
Half way between Mizia and Ortahovo, near the right bank of the Danube, there is a historical monument dedicated to the Russian and Romanian soldier heroes who, in the autumn of 1877 attacked the Turkish army and gave freedom to the towns of Mizia and Oryahov during the War of Independence.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
The monument is abandoned, covered by weeds, looking down at heel. It deserves a better destiny and better management by the municipality.
However, there are many well managed historical monuments dedicated to the War of Independence in Bulgaria, with several in honour of Romanian soldiers.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Vraznesenie School in Vratsa town
In the centre of Vratsa town is an old and well known school called Vraznesenie School.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
It is an important destination for visitors, as well as other tourist sights in the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Interesting shop in Vratsa town
This small shop sells old cameras, one of the attractions in Vratsa for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Augusta site
Not far from Kozloduy town, Vratsa district, there is a huge archaeological site known as Augusta.
The site is not protected, and is covered by wild vegetation, devastated by treasure hunters, and it deserves a better destiny.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
It was evaluated by specialists, and a few parts of it were reconstructed, but the site is difficult to access for tourists because of the wildness of the area and the holes made by the treasure hunters everywhere on the site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Waterfall
Around Vratsa town, there are beautiful Balkan mountains. Coming down the mountains into the valleys are several waterfalls, some temporary, some are permanent and very high.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
This creates beautiful scenery, a special attraction for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Radetzky Battleship memorial in Kozloduy town, Vratsa District
The Radetzky battleship memorial in Kozloduy town is located in a huge park in the town on the right bank of the Danube River.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
The area is full of facilities for tourists, hotels and restaurants, as well as other important historical sites. In addition, tourists can fish and sail over the waters of the Danube.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Youth centre in Vratsa
Here we see the modern building for a youth centre in Vratsa town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
This interest in the municipality of Vratsa for the next generation to be improved and motivated has resulted in a lot of facilities for young people in the town, which is a model for taking care of the future of the nation.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Spring in Vratsa
While walking in Vratsa Town, Adrian found this interesting water source or spring, perhaps from the 19th century, with the stone work still in very good condition.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Even though everything around it is modern, such as buildings and facilities, the spring is kept as a monument which can be visited by tourists, as well as maintaining a link with the past.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Also in Vratsa town is this monument to the Independence war against the Turks, in 1877. The Bulgarian people are very dedicated to the preservation of their history and national heritage, and their promotion of historical monuments is a model for other countries, including Romania.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Vratsa Community Centre
In the centre of Vratsa town, Bulgaria is this modern building which is dedicated to the role of Community Centre.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
The Community Centre has a modern library incorporated, and there are many other features of Vratsa which present rich offerings to visitors to the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Church with two floors
Adrian writes:
In Butan village, Vratsa district, Bulgaria, I found the first church I have ever seen with two floors. Under Turkish occupation in the 19th century, the Christians from Bulgaria asked permission of the Sultan to build a church. They were permitted, but the construction had to be done so that no part was more than two metres above ground level in order to comply with Muslim rules.
Being smart, the Bulgarians decided to build a school, but with two floors, which in reality was a church.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Adrian continues...
Another thing that impressed me was the old church/school was renovated by resources coming from the community, from the people of Butam village. The old woman who was the guide had prepared for each tourist a Hand Written flyer which she had prepared herself, to promote for free this important historical monument.
It is another indication that good people still exist, and we can hope for a better future to protect, save, and promote our national heritage as universal values.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Balkan mountains
Outside Vratsa town, Vratsa district, Bulgaria, are the Balkan mountains with beautiful landscapes.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
There are many attractions here for tourists, alpinists, and other visitors, since the mountains are a huge natural protected area. There are very good hotels and restaurants to be accessed in the area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Hristo Botev statue in Vratsa town
In the centre of Vratsa town there is a historical monument dedicated to the well known fighter for Bulgarian independence against the Turkish occupation, the poet Hristo Botev.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
This is by no means the only such statue in Bulgaria, there are many of them, as a sign of respect from the Bulgarian people in perpetuity.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Natura Centre in Vratsa town
Vratsa town in Vratsa district has a 'Natura' centre in the middle of the town, dedicated to the beautiful landscape around it, in the Balkan Mountains area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
The Environmental Centre 'Natura' was opened on December 16th 2008. The centre is located in an old mosque in the town which has been declared a cultural monument. In the building there are two exhibition halls, a seminar hall and an information centre.
The Centre provides information for:
- Protected areas and zones in the territory of Vrachanski Balkan
- Ecotrails and educational routes
- Places for accommodation and entertainment
- Dealer aids and souvenirs
The centre organises:
- Training and seminars
- Realization of educational programs, workshops with children and students on environmental topics
- Professional guides
- Training in horse-riding
- An aerial ride with a motor hang glider
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Text: http://www.vr-balkan.net/index.php?lang=en&r=home/AaxlFB
Puppet Drama Theatre in Vratsa town
In the centre of Vratsa town, Vratsa District, Bulgaria, there is a modern building in which is located the Puppet Drama Theatre of the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
It is a well known facility for visitors and the people who live there, and improves the tourist potential of Vratsa town .
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Камака (The Stone) Medieval fortress
Near Oryahove town, Vratsa district, Bulgaria, on top of a hill overlooking the Danube River, are the ruins of a Middle Ages fortress, a good place for tourists to visit and admire the beautiful landscape which surrounds it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
The Medieval fortress of Камака (The Stone) is located 600 metres west of Oryahovo. It was built in the 9th century on the Danube as part of the fortification system of the First Bulgarian Empire.
Between the 12th to the 14th century it was rebuilt, and played an important protective role. It was used after the fall of the Ottoman rule until the end of the 15th century. What remains of the fortress now is the two-storey rectangular tower from the time of the Second Bulgarian State. The remains of the medieval building and the beautiful panoramic view to the Danube river attracts many visitors.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Text: Adapted from http://www.guide-bulgaria.com/NW/vratsa/oryahovo/oryahovo
Mizia Info Point
Our Bulgarian friends are already prepared to promote and improve the tourist potential for their area, as can be seen here in the town of Mizia, in Vratsa district, Bulgaria.
A new, modern and very useful info point for tourists has opened in the centre of Mizia, as a model for all other municpalities, even those in Romania, to follow.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 5th May 2014
Ad Putea Archaeological Site
The site of Ad Putea is located about 40 km from Pleven in Bulgaria, near to Riben village, and about 20 km from the well known Roman site Ulpia Oescus at Gygen.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th April 2014
The site was a station and check-point in ancient times, with a villa rustica and a necropolis nearby, and there may have been a basilica there as well.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th April 2014
The site has not been developed, and is still under the research activities of Bulgarian researchers.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th April 2014
The site is a beautiful one, with lovely views, on the banks of the Vit River. Adrian's evaluation and report will be dedicated to applying for an EU project by the local authority at Dolna Mitropolia, which is interested in promoting the past.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 7th April 2014
Ahtopol - Ахтопол
Ahtopol - Ахтопол in Bulgaria is on the shores of the Black Sea. Adrian has been searching for an ancient Roman harbour near the town.
The ancient name of Ahtopol is Αγαθόπολις, Agathopolis, and it is a small town near the border between Bulgaria and Turkey, but it is a beautiful area.
Adrian is conducting an investigation to try to find an ancient harbour from the late Roman Empire.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 26th August 2013
He is diving with flippers, mask and snorkel, carrying a waterproof digital camera, and is making some progress.
The water is not clean or clear, and the area is dangerous, isolated and with a stony bottom.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 26th August 2013
There are many problems to overcome, he is alone, the water is very cold, there are stones everywhere, and the current is offshore, which pushes him far away from the beach.
Adrian strongly believes that the ancient harbour should be in this area.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 26th August 2013
On day two, Adrian searched in the same area where he felt the ancient harbour should have been.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th August 2013
The water was deep, the underwater currents were dangerous, and he was alone.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th August 2013
Even though he searched a huge area around the rocks, Adrian could not find any Roman artefacts. He was not bothered by equipment failures, but he was annoyed that he could not find the ancient Roman harbour.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 27th August 2013
On day three Adrian expanded the area of his research to the rocks near the present harbour of Ahtopol, trying to find artefacts to prove the ancient harbour was here.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th August 2013
It was hard work, because the rocks were huge, the sea was rough, the wind was blowing, and Adrian was alone. He found a few things to support his theory, but nothing definite.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th August 2013
What is needed is better equipment, a partner, and perhaps also a boat.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th August 2013
This is the area searched.
Photo: Google Earth
General map of the area
Photo: Tourist map
Important documents for the Trayanova Vrata Fortress
Photo: © Arch. Stela Duleva, Bulgaria
Rights: All rights to these drawings belong to Arch. Stela Duleva, Bulgaria
Permission: Used on this website with the kind permission of the Eminent Architect, Arch. Stela Duleva, Bulgaria, who is involved as the Chief Architect in the reconstruction of the Ihtiman/Bulgaria fortress (Trayanova Vrata).
Small Blocked Cave in the Pravets Area
A small cave in the Pravets area, apparently blocked by humans.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th July 2013
Trayanova Vratsa Archaeological Site
Sketches of the Ihtiman ancient Roman fortress, Trayanova Vtatsa, made by Alexandru after careful measurement. It includes a main gate sketch and also a section through the tunnel to bring water from the nearby river.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 28th July 2013
Ihtimani main gate, 1:200 scale model of the Trayanova Vratsa Bulgaria Roman Site.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 28th July 2013
Trayanova Vratsa Archaeological Site
Alexandru, Vice-President of the Alexis Project is making here an evaluation using photographs, GPS points, and measurement, of an important archaeological site from Bulgaria, Trayanova Vratsa.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
The site is about 40 km South East of Sofia towards Plovdiv, which is proposed to get European funds for its reconstruction.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
The fortress was constructed to oversee the road passing through the mountains, and is still in good condition, and is visited by tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
After this, Alexandru will make a good project from his measurements, after taking account of his data from the field.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
Borovets Archaeological Site near the town of Pravets
Click on this link to download the Tourist profile presentation of the Borovets Archaeological Site
Click on this link to download lists and details of the Borovets Archaeological Site Gates Areas
Click on this link to download an up to date evaluation of the Borovets Archaeological Site
Prezentare in Profil Turistic a Sitului Arheologic Borovets
The Alexis Project sent a team to the Borovets Archaeological Site near the town of Pravets, Bulgaria, to make an evaluation of this ancient site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th July 2013
It is a very interesting site, and here we can see some images of searches at the site, made by Adrian, Alexandru, Bulgarian specialists and the Manager of the project, Miss Gabriela Antonova, with important support from the Pravets Museum.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th July 2013
The Alexis team, in cooperation with the Borovets Museum as well as the Perpetuum Mobile foundation from Pleven made a second evaluation of the Borovets Archaeological Site, a Roman fortress near the town of Pravets, Bulgaria,
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th July 2013
It is to be hoped that the presence there of the young architect, Georgia, will be an improvement for Alexis activities.
Also, as usual, we are grateful for the efforts of Miss Gabriela Antonova to support us.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th July 2013
GPS points plotted while searching for the road.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 28th July 2013
Some important data about the site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 15th July 2013
Some important data about the site.
Photo: Google Earth 2013
Plan of the site.
Photo: Alexandru Gheorghe 16th July 2013
Adrian writes:
In this image can be seen in yellow the ancient Roman road climbing the mountain, as well as the area of the fortress, for which the cadastrum plan has been overlayed over the satellite image.
Even from this it can be seen that the Roman road is going around the fortress to access it from the left, from the west, but it is a shortcut which arrives at the escape gate, to the south of the fortress, which proposed by the specialists as a main gate, not as a secondary gate, as we believe it to be.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
Thus from this we can see that the main gate of the specialists is in reality an escape gate, and only the gate on the north west of the fortress is the real main gate, keeping in mind the remains of the ancient Roman road. The corners of the wall are round only at this place, so that the carriage can turn through the gate, the main gate of the fortress.
When you have a main gate, it is logical that the other should be on the opposite side of the fortress.
It should, however, be pointed out that there are Vulnerabilities in this theory
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 19th July 2013
Traditional houses in Malko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Malko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Малко Търново; 'Little Tarnovo', as opposed to Veliko Tarnovo) is a town in Burgas Province, Southeastern Bulgaria, located 5 km away from the Turkish border. It is the only town in the interior of the Bulgarian Strandzha Mountains. Malko Tarnovo is the administrative centre of the homonymous Malko Tarnovo Municipality. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 2 449 inhabitants.
Christianity is the dominant religion in the town, where an Eastern Orthodox and an Eastern Rite Catholic church exist. According to Lyubomir Miletich's demographic survey of the Ottoman province of Edirne in The Destruction of Thracian Bulgarians in 1913, published in 1918, before the wars Malko Tarnovo was a district centre inhabited by 1 200 Bulgarian Exarchist families and 80 Eastern Catholic Bulgarian families. Prior to the Balkan Wars (1912–1913), Malko Tarnovo was a township (kaza) of the Kırklareli sanjak in Edirne vilayet as "Tırnovacık", and was ceded to Bulgaria following the wars.
Text above: Wikipedia
These are beautiful old wooden houses in Malko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, near the Turkish border.
The walls are made of bricks, stones or clay, covered with wood in an interesting, traditional way.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 3rd June 2013
Malko Tarnovo is a beautiful Bulgarian town, well worth the trip for tourists to visit it.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 3rd June 2013
Oryahovo, Оряхово
Here are a few samples of the structure of 19th Century walls, from the Bulgarian town of Oryahovo.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th March 2013
On the right bank of the Danube, where the Bulgarian town of Oryahovo is, heavy rain and bright sunlight combined to allow a double rainbow to be seen.
In a 'primary rainbow', the arc shows red on the outer part and violet on the inner side. This rainbow is caused by light being refracted while entering a droplet of water, then reflected inside on the back of the droplet and refracted again when leaving it.
In a double rainbow, a second arc is seen outside the primary arc, and has the order of its colours reversed, red facing toward the other one, in both rainbows. This second rainbow is caused by light reflecting twice inside water droplets.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th March 2013
Additional text: Wikipedia
Notice that in the second rainbow shown clearly in the left hand photo that the colours are reversed in the outer, fainter rainbow, with red on the inside instead of the outside of the rainbow.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th March 2013
This is the first snow in the little town of Oryahovo, Bulgaria, in the area of the ancient Saint Gheorghe church, on top of the hills where the town is located.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th December 2012
It was cold, there was a little snow, and fog everywhere.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 9th December 2012
Adrian writes:
Passing through Oryahovo, on the way to Sofia, Bulgaria, I was a small part of a very important event for the town: to celebrate their Independence Day! There were flags, music, actors playing military roles, a lot of people there, who were grateful to the Romanians for their contribution during the War of Independence, 1877-1878, but there were only a few Romanians.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 22nd November 2012
The Mayor of the Romanian town of Bechet put flowers under the monument to heroes in the middle of the town.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 22nd November 2012
I made a donation to the local Museum. There is a young archaeologist there, Denitsa Petrova, a very good one. Also, I gave a golden medal for the 1877 war to the artist from the Military Team, to serve to remind him of this important day.
Perhaps in the future there will be more than a ferryboat between Romania and Oryahovo town. It would be an important step ahead in the right direction.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 22nd November 2012
Almost in the middle of the small town of Oryahovo, Bulgaria, near the Romanian town of Bechet, on the Danube, there is, mostly unknown, a small but beautiful museum, reconstructed with EU money.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 10th November 2012
Young and well educated specialists inside made a good presentation of the artefacts. The presenters included two from the Dolni Vadin site.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 10th November 2012
Oryahovo is a port city in northwestern Bulgaria, part of Vratsa Province, with a population of 5 400. It is located in hilly country on the right bank of the Danube, just east of the mouth of the river Ogosta, a few more kilometres downstream from where the Jiu flows into the Danube on Romanian territory. The town is known for the ferry service that connects it to the Romanian town of Bechet across the river. There are also plans by local private companies for a bridge across the Danube.
Text above: Wikipedia
This is just a sample of how Bulgarians have made a good presentation of their country, past and present.
Is it too much to ask for Romania to follow such a good example? To have in each small town at least a small museum?
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 10th November 2012
Grivitsa
It was the middle of winter in Bulgaria, with a lot of snow, cold and ice, everywhere.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 24th December 2012
In the area devoted to historical monuments of the 1877-1878 Independence War in the village of Grivitsa, near Pleven town, there are beautiful landscapes wherever you look.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 24th December 2012
The motel near the monuments was waiting for tourists to visit this dream land in winter.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 24th December 2012
Plovdiv, Пловдив
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria after the capital Sofia with a population of 338,153 inhabitants as of February, 2011. It is an important economic, transport, cultural and educational centre. Plovdiv's history spans 6 000 years, with traces of a Neolithic settlement dating to roughly 6 000 BP, ranking it among the world's-oldest cities. Plovdiv was known in the West for most of its recorded history by the Greek name Philippopolis, which was introduced in 340 BC. Plovdiv was originally a Thracian city before later becoming a Greek and a major Roman one. In the Middle Ages, it retained its strategic regional importance, changing hands between the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. It came under Ottoman rule in the 14th century. On 4 January 1878, Plovdiv was liberated from Ottoman rule by the Russian army and was within the borders of Bulgaria until July, the same year, when it became the capital of an autonomous Ottoman region of Eastern Rumelia. In 1885, it and Eastern Rumelia itself became part of Bulgaria. Plovdiv is situated in south-central Bulgaria on the two banks of the Maritsa River. The city has historically developed on seven syenite hills, some of which are 250 m high. Because of these hills, Plovdiv is often referred to in Bulgaria as "The City of the Seven Hills".
Text above: Wikipedia
Plovdiv is huge town, in the southern part of Bulgaria, a mecca for tourists, even though it is very old. In the middle of the town, a huge roman stadium was discovered and reconstructed with EU founds in a very good way, visited by many tourists.
The Stadium of Philippopolis in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is among the largest structures from the time of the Ancient Romans in the Balkan peninsula. Philippopolis and Trimontium (the three hills) were the popular names of the ancient city Plovdiv, Bulgaria during the Ancient Rome. The Stadium of Philippopolis was built in the beginning of 2nd century AD during the reign Emperor Hadrian (117-138). It is situated in the Northern part of the fortified city surrounded by defensive walls, in the natural terrain between Taksim Tepe and Sahat Tepe. The facility, approximately 240 m (790 ft) m long and 50 m wide, could seat up to 30 000 spectators. The length of the track is one stadion - 600 steps, or approx 180 m (590 ft) m.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Text: Wikipedia
The spectators seats are tiered in 14 rows, crossed by stepped aisles down to the track. The seats are made of solid marble blocks (40 cm high and 75 cm wide) and the front parts are decorated with stylised lion paws. The front part of the lowest row is revetted with massive marble 1.80 metres plates (orthostats), stepping on solid marble blocks. The seats from the highest row had backrests. At Dzhumaya Square in Plovdiv is exhibited in situ the northern curved part of the Stadium (sfendona). Under the tiered rows of seats (cavea), a covered vaulted passage was found. It connected the track with a corridor dug in the terrain. The vault supported the royal seats above it. North of the corridor a section of the fortress wall built back in 2nd century AD was found. It had undergone certain readjustments in 3rd and 4th century AD. In the 4th century AD this area was crossed by an ancient aqueduct.
Like the other imperial buildings for spectacular events, the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis had its seats of honour preserved by inscriptions in the marble blocks. Seats with Greek inscriptions were found, proving the existence of special seats for members of higher public position.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Text: Wikipedia
The main entrance to the Stadium is formed by masonry pillars decorated with marble pilasters and reliefs. On the pilasters there are busts of Hermes (hermai) with placed above them prize vases with palm sprays, accompanied by Hercules’ attributes – lion skin, a mace and a quiver.
The limiting walls of the cavea are built from cut granite stones, labelled with letters at some places. The architectural marble elements of the entrance and the orthostats on the front row were tied to each other with lead-soldered iron cramps. In front of the entrance a granite pavement was uncovered, consisting of hexagonal blocks – 0.70 by 0.70 m diagonally. According to the epigraphic and numismatic monuments games similar to the Pythian Games in Greece were held in the town. To honour the visit of the Roman emperor Caracalla in 214 the games were called Alexandrian while the games for the visit of emperor Elagabalus in 218 were called Kedrisian Games.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Text: Wikipedia
Today, the stadium is located in the centre of the city, under the main trade street. Only the northern end of the edifice can be observed at Dzhumayata Square. The larger portion still lies beneath the buildings along the main street, running south from the visible part. Further excavation would be very difficult and costly.
The stadium is one of the many preserved buildings from the time of the Roman empire in Plovdiv. Other buildings of the ancient city of Philippopolis are the best preserved Ancient Theatre on the Balkans; fragments of the Forum / Agora, an Odeon / Bouleuterion, fragments of two aqueducts, fortification walls, thermae, a large and a small basilica, a synagogue, residential buildings with some magnificent frescoes and many fragments of streets and buildings.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Text: Wikipedia
Inside the town there are churches from all religions, including synagogues, mosques, and orthodox churches.
The old town is beautiful, and has a lot of shops for tourists passing through the town. As everywhere in the southern part of the Danube River, there can be found many Roman ruins, sites, artefacts, an entire culture, promoted very well by the Bulgarians.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Burgas, Бургас
Burgas is the second-largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and the fourth-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna, with a population of 200,271 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. It is the capital of Burgas Province and an important industrial, transport, cultural and tourist centre. The city is surrounded by the Burgas Lakes and located at the westernmost point of the Black Sea, at the large Burgas Bay. The LUKOIL Neftochim Burgas is the largest oil refinery in Southeastern Europe and the largest industrial enterprise. The Port of Burgas is the largest port in Bulgaria and Burgas Airport is the second most important in the country. Burgas is the centre of the Bulgarian fishing and fish processing industry.
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Adrian writes:
Even though it is the end of autumn, there are a lot of tourists in Burgas, Bulgaria, on the edge of the Black Sea, because here they can find low prices and a high quality of services, with many places to visit.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
In all my visits to Bulgaria, every time I have seen many EU projects constructed, such as highways, school buildings, sports buildings, historical monuments, vineyards.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
It seems that the entire country is still economically strong because of the EU projects, helped by consultant companies and Mayors who are dedicated to this activity.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
The tourists are walking, playing sports, swimming, and shopping. There are also modern buildings such as hotels, restaurants, coffee bars and others, as well as a good highway to access them from Sofia and other parts of Bulgaria. Many Romanians come here as tourists, also.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 25th November 2012
Adrian writes:
Burgas is a big town in the eastern part of Bulgaria, on the western edge of the Black sea.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd November 2012
It is an important tourist location, even now at the end of autumn.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd November 2012
Even though the summer season has ended, a lot of workers are improving locations on the edge of the Black Sea so as to be ready for the new season in 2013.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd November 2012
Burgas is also a very important harbour and a cultural city, improved by the Mayor with EU projects in a very good way.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 23rd November 2012
Sofia, София - a lot of ancient churches in the middle of the city
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 15th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.3 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula. Prehistoric settlements were excavated in the centre of the present city, near the royal palace, as well as in outer districts Slatina and Obelya.
The well-preserved town walls (especially their substructures) date back before the 7th century BC, when Thracians established their city around a mineral spring, which exists to the present day. Sofia has had several names in the different periods of its existence. Its ancient name, Serdika or Serdica, derives from the local Celtic tribe of the serdi who inhabited the region since the 1st century BC. Serdica was a Roman capital during the tetrarchic system of government.
During the Middle Ages, it was one of the major commercial centres of the Bulgarian Empire, along with Tarnovo. Sofia's population remained small until 1879, when it was declared a capital of the Principality of Bulgaria after the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.
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Adrian writes:
What impressed me about Sofia was not the huge and modern buildings and the wide streets full of cars and people, not the large number of shops and very modern apartments, nor the old historical buildings.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th November 2012
Instead, I was impressed by two things:
1 The investments made by Bulgarians to show everyone their past, their culture and their civilisation, budgeting large amounts of money and doing a lot of special work to protect and make visitable many historical sites.
2 If we follow the time line of archaeological sites from the middle of Sofia, the main city in Bulgaria, we can see what an impressive culture and civilisation they possess, from the beginning of history to today.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th November 2012
It is most unusual to see archaeology on display in a busy city.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th November 2012
This city is a good example for those who, having such treasures underground, should make such an effort to value it, as for Romania, which has all the reasons to follow Sofia's lead in this matter.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 11th November 2012
Gorna Malina
Report on Gorna Malina in Bulgaria
Gorna Malina is a medium sized village just 35 km from Sofia, where the local Mayor, having only a lake in the middle of a large field to develop, decided to make a concession to anyone who intended to improve the area for tourists.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th October 2012
Step by step, the new owner brought everything here, so today this location is one of the best known in this part of Bulgaria, and is still being improved and made larger.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th October 2012
This would be a good model for Romanian projects such as Vogna Valley or Baile Ionele Lake, so long as the Romanians from there accept the advice and help of Bulgarians in setting it up.
Photo: Adrian Gheorghe 6th October 2012
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