The Golden Teteven - returned like a phoenix from the ashes

• 22 Jun 2023
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• Urban,
• Trails / Forest,
• Adventure,
• Breathtaking views,
• Historical place,
• in Bulgaria,
• eco path,
• Monuments,
• Adventure with friends,
• Museum,
• Waterfall,
• River / Lake / Reservoir,

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Teteven is a fabulous corner in Bulgaria, nestled between the hills of Stara Planina. The city stretches in the lowlands along the river Vit, and around it rise high peaks and rocky hills. The mild winter and cool summer make the area one of the most attractive for tourism in Bulgaria. The many eco-trails, waterfalls and panoramic views attract thousands of tourists every year, but there is much more to see here than the natural sights. The city of Teteven was a highly developed craft town with many craftsmen and wealthy residents. Over 20 types of crafts were practiced here, and the city was so prosperous that you could run along the roofs of the houses from one end of the city to the other. A large number of artefacts from the past have been preserved for you to explore, as well as the amazing churches, monasteries and chapels in the area.

In 1801 after an attack by the Kardjalians, the whole city was burned and razed to the ground. Only a few houses and the local monastery of St. Elijah. Fortunately for us, the local people did not give up on recapturing the great times of their city and although it took them decades they managed to make it the wonderful city we see today.

And let's not forget that it was none other than Ivan Vazov exclaiming: "If I had not come to Teteven, I too would have been a foreigner to mother Bulgaria... I have wandered a lot, I have wandered a lot, but I have not seen a more wonderful paradise".

Come with me to show you the most interesting places to visit in the area.

1. Eco-path "Under the spray of the waterfall"

The eco-path "Under the spray of the waterfall" is a real delight for the senses of nature lovers. It is about 4km long and starts from the center of Teteven, but the cherry on the cake is the last 600 meters through the canyon of the Koznitsa river.

The eco-trail leads you along beautiful wooden bridges crossing the river, passes by gazebos for rest and reflection, trees and stones overgrown with moss, to reach the end point - the waterfalls Skokat and Praskaloto. The jump is about 25-30 meters high and very full-water, while the Splash is about 50 meters high, but most of the time it flows in a thin stream over the rocks.

To learn more read the article here:
ECO-PATH "UNDER THE SPRAYS OF THE WATERFALL"

2. Eco-trail from the village of Babintsi to Mount Ostrich and "Pokrov Bogorodichen" chapel

This eco-trail is a true paradise for people who love panoramic views. Already on the way to the village of Babintsi, we do not manage to enjoy the panoramas that surround us on both sides. The starting point for the eco-path is located next to the school in the village and is about 10 km away. from the center of Teteven.

The trail is about 800-1000 meters long and is very easy and pleasant except for the last 50 meters. It gets steep there, but it's short and you climb up quickly to enjoy this amazing panorama. On the top is the "Pokrov Bogorodichen" chapel, from which you can observe the city of Teteven from a height, as well as the neighboring peaks and villages. The altitude is about 1069 meters, and what you will see from the top will leave you with a memory for a long time.

To learn more read the article here:
ECO-TRAIL FROM THE VILLAGE OF BABINTSI TO MOUNT OSTRICH AND POKROV BOGORODICHEN CHAPEL

3. Eco-trail to the Dangerous Tooth shelter

// Image: Opoznai Bulgaria 
The "Dangerous Tooth" shelter is located at 910m. altitude. The passage to it is very pleasant - it passes through a century-old beech forest, screes, and near the shelter and through a narrow stone chute, which is protected by a railing. From the platform to the shelter, a wonderful panoramic view of the city and its surroundings is revealed.

Unfortunately, we didn't manage to find time to visit the shelter this weekend, but we will certainly visit it on our next visit to the city.

4. City History Museum Teteven

It is located in a very convenient place in the center of the city of Teteven. It was founded in 1911 by Michal Koichev from Teteven. It consists of 3 sections - archaeology, ethnography and revival. In the museum you can see a very rich collection of artifacts. The archeology section includes numerous tools, vessels, weapons, coins and votive tablets and more. The ethnographic collection will impress you with numerous costumes from the nearby villages, embroideries and tools from the crafts of the locals in these lands.

The revival section will impress you with many interesting photographs, notes and stories from the local revivalists and their struggle for liberation. You will learn a lot about Georgi Benkovski, Hadji Stanyo, Petko Milev - Strasnia and their stories and destinies.

The curator of the museum, Tsonka Petkova, will impress you with her fascinating stories about our past and will immerse you in our history, so that you will feel and empathize with it even for a short time.
*The historical museum in Teteven is part of the 100 Bulgarian National Tourist Sites and you can find it under the number 32.

To learn more read the article here:
CITY HISTORY MUSEUM TETEVEN - THE HISTORY AND LIFESTYLE OF THE LOCALS

5. Teteven Monastery "St. Ilia"

The Teteven monastery is one of the symbols of the city of Teteven. Built sometime in the 12th-13th century, it has the status of immovable cultural property of national importance. It consists of a church and a monastery, which are located in a beautiful green courtyard. Icon paintings from the 17th and 19th centuries are stored in the monastery, and the reconstruction of another part of the wall paintings has also been started. Unfortunately, they have remained in the state of a project, but they make the church even more interesting and curious.

The monastery was a literary center, it had a cell school and a library. It was visited by activists for the liberation of Bulgaria, and today it awaits your visit.

To learn more read the article here:
THE TETEVEN MONASTERY "ST. PROPHET ELIJAH" PRESERVED OVER THE CENTURIES

6. Glozhene Monastery "Sv. Georgi Pobedonosets"

The Glozhene Monastery is located about 25 km away. from the center of Teteven. It is located on Mount Lisets on a rock edge and occupies one of the most picturesque places in the area. It offers a view of the Balkans, Mount Vezhen, the village of Glozhene, the Glozhene waterfall and many other natural treasures.

Besides the beautiful location, the monastery is also known for its incredible history. Its name comes from the holy icon, which itself chose this corner of paradise as its home. Interesting, isn't it? The icon of "St. George" is of the traveling icon type. She was brought to these lands by Prince George Glozh of Kyiv, who chose for her home a place near the village called the "Gradishteto" area. However, the icon mysteriously disappears. They find her later on the impenetrable rocks. They send it back, and it ends up in the same place again. The prince decided to build the monastery where the icon had wished. According to legends, the monastery was built in the 13th century, but its current appearance was built in 1931. because during the Chirpan earthquake the monastery was partially destroyed. To learn more read the article here:
GLOZHENЕ MONASTERY "ST. GEORGE THE VICTORIOUS" - THE MONASTERY HIGH IN THE SKY

7. The bloody well in the area of Kostina near Ribaritsa - the deathplace of Georgi Benkovski

The area of Kostina is an extremely beautiful place. Nestled between the surrounding hills and forests, it offers you an incredibly beautiful panorama. Unfortunately, however, his story is one of betrayal and death. About a month after the April Uprising, Benkovski's squad fought hard with the Turks. The remaining Chetniks move from Teteven to Troyan through the Balkans. Georgi Benkovski leads them, followed by Father Kiril, Stefan Dalmatinetsa (the last byraktor of the troop) and Zahari Stoyanov. Due to bad weather and impassable terrain, they need shelter. A shepherd named grandfather Valyo helps them hide in a cave near Ribaritsa. The next day, he led them to cross the Kostina River, where, however, Grandfather Valyo tipped off the Turks to set up an ambush. While crossing the bridge, Georgi Benkovski was mortally wounded by the bullet of Ryuzgyar Hadji Ahmed agha. From the four there only Zahari Stoyanov suceeds to react and escapes. He throws himself into the river and manages to hide in the forest with his last strength. Georgi Benkovski's head was cut off and washed in the bloody well before it was later taken to Orhanie (now Botevgrad) and later to Sofia.

To learn more read the article here:
THE BLOODY WELL NEAR RIBARITSA - A PLACE OF BETRAYAL AND HEROISM

If you need a place to stay, you can take advantage of the recommendations in Booking at this link:
See all hotels in TetevenSee all hotels in Ribaritsa

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Expect me to publish an article on each of the places soon where you can read more about its history, directions on how to get there, when is the best time to visit and other tips.

I want to especially thank our hosts from the Teteven municipality, the regional association Tour Club ReMark, our wonderful tour guide Mladen Milev and the curator of the historical museum Tsonka Petkova for this wonderful weekend and the great organization.

It was an honor for me to get to know Teteven a little better and I admit that this place enchanted me with its beautiful nature, interesting history and good tourist routes. But the most valuable thing is the people who are the driving force of this place and try to attract more people to it.

Can't wait to see you again, Teteven!

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