December 24, 2013
Christmas is a favourite holiday of young and old. There is a tradition that makes the Bulgarian Christmas even more special. Koleda or Rozhdestvo Hristovo is thе time of the year on which we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is one of the brightest and most awaited holidays in the Bulgarian calendar, celebrated with century – old traditions. Although many of the Christmas rituals have been forgotten by the contemporary Bulgarian, one has been preserved – the tradition to celebrate with the family. At Christmas every Bulgarian family gathers to spend a holy, but not a very silent night! The atmosphere is cheerful, the food is delicious, the spirits are high. Being with loved ones is the most important component of the Bulgarian Christmas! Bulgarians are Eastern Orthodox, and Christmas celebrations start at 20th December, the day on which St. Ignatius of Antioch is honored (Ignazhden). Ignazhden begins the preparation for one of the most important rituals in the Christmas night – Koleduvane. Koleduvane As Christmas Eve comes […]
December 8, 2013
Welcome to Plovdiv! Here we’ll post some of the most intriguing and famous places in the city. The fact that Plovdiv is not a large city is very convenient in terms of visiting numerous sites in a relatively short period of time. The thing is that the city is one of the oldest ones in Europe – founded approximately 6000 BC by ancestors of the Thracians. Plovdiv is full of history and amazing facts so you’ll need at least 3-4 days to get a relevant idea of its character. You can always visit the Free Plovdiv Tour – you will get to know the city in only a couple of hours. But still, Plovdiv is not all about the past – it is the second largest city in Bulgaria and is populated by a lot of young people, studying in its universities (6 universities and 4 colleges) and exploring the city’s diversity. One of the oldest European cities offers cultural and entertaining tourism and its environs are a great place […]
November 24, 2013
Bulgarian Monasteries Bulgaria is a country with rich cultural heritage and important parts of this heritage are the Bulgarian monasteries. These unique temples are not only historical and architectural landmarks but also symbols of the Bulgarian spiritual power which preserved the Christian faith during many turbulent times. The Bachkovo Monastery is our next must-see place in the Plovdiv region (pronounced “Bachkovski manastir”). This beautiful landmark is situated 29 km south from Plovdiv and 9 km away from Asenovgrad, in the valley of the Chepelarska river in the Western Rodopi mountain. The monastery is only 10 km south from Asen’s fortress so you can combine the two landmarks on a single trip and go on an exciting Bulgarian adventure! The monasteries have played an important role in our history. They are beacons of traditional Bulgarian and Christian culture. Many of them have impressive architecture and unique interior. The magnificent wood-carving works and wall – paintings also contribute to the one of a kind atmosphere in the Bulgarian temples. Some of the biggest […]
November 5, 2013
The Asenova Krepost (Asen’s fortress) – Working Hours and Ticket Prices Working time: 10:00 h – 17:00 h (November-March), 10:00 h – 18:00 h (April-October);Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and SundayTickets: Adults – 3 lv; Children – 2 lvGPS: 41.986466,24.872957Tel: 089 487 7880 If you have finished your tour in Plovdiv and you are eager to visit another interesting destination in the region, we strongly recommend the Asen’s fortress („Asenova krepost” , „Асенова крепост”). Location of Asen’s Fortress (Asenova Krepost) This fascinating place is seated on a high, rocky ridge in the Rodopi mountain, on the left coast of the Asenitsa river, about 2-3 km south from the little town of Asenovgrad (“the town of Asen”) and 20 km south from Plovdiv. The castle was built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian the Great in VI century. A stone inscription says that in 1230 Ivan Asen the Second rebuilt the fortress after he won the glorious battle near Klokotnitsa. The place is known also as “Stanimahos” (Станимахос) […]