ОPRDOPERATIONAL PROGRAM

“REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT” 2007-2013

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The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and by the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria

TOURIST DESTINATIONISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO:

A road of ancient cultures and traditions

TOURIST

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MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH 4National historical and archeologicalpreserve “Sboryanovo” 4Thracian king tomb near Sveshtari village 6Ethnographic collection Sveshtari village 7The Gold of the Gets in the Mound of Omurtag 8A chariot pulled by two horses 8Another artifact 9“Demir Baba Khanqah” 10The sanctuary “Kamen rid” 12Get capitol Helis 13“Byiven Kasaba” area 14Historical Museum 14Ethnographic house 16The Wind Mill in Belintsi village 17The “House with Woodcarvings” in Malak Porovets Village 18„Medieval“ Fortress „The Castle“ 18Monument of Khan Aspharuh 19

MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO 20Historical Museum in the town of Popovo 20Orthodox church temple “Sveti Arhangel Mihail” 21Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale” from the late-Raman period 21Thracian tomb mound 22Fortress “Dobroselsko Kale” 23Kapanski architectural and ethnographic complex 24Hill Kerchana near Aprilovo village 25Parks, water and fish reservoirs, tourist and hunting cabins 26Healing holy spring with a chapel in Zvezda village 26Eminence “Kalakotch” 28Eco path “The Big River” 28Reservoir “Kavatsite” 29

MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD 30Archeological preserve “Abritus” andHistorical Museum Razgrad 30Varosha quarter 32Ethnographic Museum 32House Museum “Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi” 32House Museum of the composer Dimitar Nenov 33House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov” 33Temple “Sveti Nikolay Chudotvorets” 34Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov” 34“Ibrachim Pasha” mosque 35The Clock Tower 36Momina Cheshma (Maiden’s Fountain) 37Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators 37Ethnographic Complex Pobit Kamak village 38Ethnographic Complex Topchii village 38Recreational area Pchelina 39

TOURIST PACKAGES AND ITINERARIES OF DESTINATION “ISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO: А ROAD OF ANCIENT CULTURES AND TRADITIONS” 40

National historical and archeologicalpreserve “Sboryanovo”

In the north-western part of the Ludogorsko Plateau, 6 km far from Isperih, stands the historical and archeological preserve “Sboryanovo”. It was created in 1988 and it has the status of a national monument of historical and cultural heritage. It occupies a very large territory of 648 hectares, including 435 hectares of forest terrain and 213 hectares of agricultural land, which are mainly state property. The preserve keeps the unique cultural and historic heritage as the total number of significant cultural items from different ages is above 140. The area gained wide popularity under the name “Stomogilieto” (The area of 100 mounds) as 108 mounds were identified in it. It attracts guests with the irresist-ibly picturesque meanders of Krapinest River and the combination of natural beauty and historical sites. The name of the area came from the fairs conducted annually near the sanctuary of Demir Baba Khanqah situated near the big karst spring “Pette Prasta” (“Besh parmak”). Remains from prehistoric and medieval villages were found on both banks of the river, as well as late-antic fortresses. Exceptionally impressive with their height and exquisite silhouette are the Thra-cian sepulchral mounds on the sides of the road leading to Sboryanovo. These monuments from Thracian times together with the famous Khanqah have been

attracting visitors and tourists toward this extremely rich of ancient artifacts area in North-Eastern Bulgaria since the latest decades of 19th century. This was the time when the Czech Karel Schkorpil, who is one of the founders of the Bulgar-ian archeological science, visited the area and describes its historical sites. The asphalt alley crosses the whole preserve and is used as a shortcut between the two populated locations near the preserve – the villages Sveshtari and Malak Po-rovets. There is a small parking lot near the eastern mound necropolis. The pre-serve Sboryanovo is accessible by following the road E-772 (Sofia-Varna) then deviating to Targovishte and following second-class road crossing Razgrad, or by deviating to Strajitsa crossing Popovo and Razgrad (105 km); by following the road E-70 (Ruse-Varna) crossing Razgrad (40 km); by following the second-class road Silistra-Shumen and deviating to Dulovo (40 km). Roads passing through the villages Sveshtary (third-class) and Malak Porovets (second-class) connect Isperih with Sboryanovo. At present the condition of the second-class and the third-class roads is good. The preserve is also accessible by railroad transport to Isperih. The closest airports are in Varna and Bucharest. Within the area of the preserve is one of the nine Bulgarian objects of cultural, historic and natural heritage with global importance – The Thracian King Tomb near Sveshtari village. The tomb is included in the list of UNESCO in 1985.

Municipality of Isperih is located in North-Easter Bulgaria and is part of Razgrad District. The municipality consists of 24 populated locations. The administrative center is the town of Isperih.

Address: National Historic and Archeological Preserve (NHAP) “Sboryanovo”, between Malak Porovets village and Sveshtari village, Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad District. National Historic and Archeological Preserve is located in the north-west part of the Ludogorsko plateau, 6 km away from Isperih.Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum IsperihWorking hours: Accessible all the time in the year, a tour guide could be used from Wednesday to Sunday between 09:00 and 17:00 h.Days off: Monday and TuesdayWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH

BELINTSI

ISPERIHMALAK

POROVETS

SVESHTARI

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One of the most interesting objects on the territory of HAP “Sbo-ryanovo”. At the beginning of the 80’s of the 20th century under mound 7 of the eastern mound necropolis was found the mas-terpiece of the antic architecture included in the list of UNESCO under No.359 as monument of world’s cultural and historical herit-age. A Tomb of a Thracian King. For 30 years the archeological examinations in Sboryanovo have been revealing one of the most significant centers of the Thracian culture. The tomb was built in the first quarter of the 3rd century B.C. and is a unique monument of the Thracian sepulchral architecture. Due to its remarkable ar-chitecture and artistic decoration the Tomb of Sveshtari was in-cluded in1985 in the list of UNESCO for world’s cultural heritage. Its dimensions are impressive - 7.5 m length, 6.6 m width of the façade, (inner) height of the tomb chamber – 4.45 m. The tomb is constructed of big limestone blocks and includes a dromos (cor-ridor) and three chamber premises, each of them having separate covered vault arch. The decoration of the tomb is in accord with the Hellenistic culture of this time, but is altered to match the life and beliefs of the Gets. This micro-area was center of the Thra-cian tribe Gets and of their ruler Dromihet. After two decades of preservation and restoration the visitors now have the opportunity to touch the beauty of the figures decorating the central chamber in Ginina mound and the mastership of the ancient architects and

Thracian King Tomb near Sveshtari village

builders. The tomb of Sveshtari is preserved under a special construction. Special climatic conditions are supported by the construction in order to preserve the monument from influences of the environment. A short exposition presenting the artifacts of the tomb and the various methods of preservation and resto-ration is housed under the same construction. Two smaller tombs (mounds 12 and 13) of Get rulers and aristocrats are situated in the vicinity of the Tomb of Sveshtari. The center around the eastern mound ne-cropolis is provided well with utilities and has an ac-tive visitor information service. Permanent protective cover is constructed only for the Thracian King Tomb of Sveshtari while for the tombs in mounds 12 and 13 were constructed only temporary protective covers. The tombs are accessible form Sveshtari village and Malak Porovets village by following a well-maintained asphalt road, crossing HAP “Sboryanovo”.

Ethnographic collection “Coexistence of Christians and Muslims in the Ludogorie Area” by the Historic Museum Isperih is situated at the end of Sveshtary following a deviation of the road leading to the preserve.

Ethnographic CollectionSveshtari Village

Address: Sveshtari village, Municipality of Isperih, Ragrad DistrictTelephone: 084 313 735, Historical Museum IsperihWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

Address: On the territory of NHAP “Sboryanovo”Telephone: 084 735 279, the Tomb of SveshtariWorking hours: March 17 – November 30From Wednesday to Sunday – 9:00 h to 17:00 hDays off: Monday and TuesdayFrom December 1 to March 17 the location is closed for tourists.Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

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In 2012 prof. Diana Gergova found the Golden treasure of the Gets dated 4th

century B.C. in the so called Mound of Omurtag (a.k.a. the Great Mound of Sveshtari). The treasure includes 264 golden ornaments with a total weight of 1.8 kg. These were found in a cas-ket with proportions 60 cm and 40 cm. Among the artifacts are: a golden dia-dem, 4 bracelets, a ring depicting the head of Eros, dozens of buttons, rings and ear-rings, the head of a tiny horse intended to decorate the king’s horse harness. The following examinations revealed that the casket full of orna-ments belonged to the Thracian ruler Kotela.

He ruled in the land of the Gets 25 centuries ago and became a relative of the great Philip of Macedon by al-lowing him to marry his daughter. The discovery is a small piece from the puzzle that turned the area of Sveshtari village near Isperih into a part of the world’s cultural and histori-cal heritage.

The artifact reveals information for the magnificent burial ceremonies of the ancient Thracians. Accord-ing to Gergova the burial is connected to the Big Mound of Sveshtari and particularly with the burial of the Get ruler Kotela, as the majority of the mounds in the complex is connected to a central burial and complement it with various animal sacrifices and al-tars. The finding also discloses important informa-tion allowing reconstruction of the immortality ritual in its fullness. This ritual was generally performed by the tribe Gets and particularly performed in the mound complex of the Great Mound in Sveshtari. The chariot will be exhibited for the visitors at the place where it was found.

The Gold of the Gets in the Mound of Omurtag

Another artifact was found by the archeologist Prof. Diana Gergova in a mound located in the vicinity of the Great Mound of Sveshtary. It is a typical Get buried tomb that stands out with its massive stone and oak beam revetment. The facility has a colored square altar-eschara, ornamented with red, white and black paint and with carved rosettes.

A second altar having truncated cone form was found in the south-eastern corner of the tomb. Adornments, base of silver cup, glass beads and many bronze figures were found during the excavation process, which hints that the burial is probably of a female. It is possible that she performed some sacerdotal func-tions as many magic items were found. It is the first burial of its kind on the territory inhabited by Gets and it casts light on the question who was buried in such tombs. This burial was hiding another mystery not present in the burial mounds of male priests. A truncated pyramid accorded with the colored altar in the tomb center was uncovered. It was a truncated pyramid made only of smoothened clay. The question about the function of the second altar still remains unanswered.

In November 2013 Prof. Diana Gergova found a chariot pulled by two horses in a small mound neighboring the Big Mound of Sveshtari near Isperih. This is the third chariot of this kind in Bulgaria, but it is the first artifact of this kind that was found on the territory of the Gets. The animal’s skeletons are in standing position and are well preserved as their bodies were special-ly strengthened in the burial process.

A chariot pulled by two horses was found during excavation works near Sveshtari

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Demir Baba Khanqah was built at the beginning of the 17th century on a place that was considered sacred by the tribes and people in this area for 2000-year period before the construction. Only the turbe (tomb) of the Alian saint Demir Baba sur-vived from all old-time buildings. The sacrificial stone block at the entrance of the inner yard of Demir Baba Khanqah is also preserved. The place is opened during the whole year in daytime. The khanqah of the saint Demir Baba is certainly the most charming among the numerous khanqahs in Bulgaria. This monument is the last constructed cult building around the spring and stands in the heart of the sacred Get land. The monument did not destroy the previous sanctuaries but in-stead united their spirituality. The spring “Pette Prasta” (Five fingers) is a place for ceremonial washing, donations and for drinking a sip of healing water. According to the legend, during a great drought the saint pushed his five fingers into a rock and cold healing water sprung underneath it. The entrance of the khanqah lies on an altar of the Thracian sanctuary dated thousand years B.C. The furrows drain-ing the blood of the sacrifices are preserved until present day. A niche carved in the wall collected the rays of the setting sun. The khanqah itself lies on other two stone altars left from the previous Thracian sanctuary. The Thracian priests used the steps carved in one of them to ascend for their rituals honoring the sun. At the foundation of the stone step altar were found remains of small Thracian temple which has not been exhibited, yet. The temple had an apse wall and three clay altars with semi-spherical form (omfaloses). In the ancient world they represented that the place was the center of the earth where spells and prophecies were made.

Two rectangular platforms for placing of gifts and a large Thra-cian clay container were also part of the small Thracian temple. The sanctuary was connected to the cult of the great goddess Mother-Earth and Apolo and retained its significance in the fol-lowing ages. During the Roman age it continued to function as a sanctuary of the Thracian horse rider. It was not a coincidence that the Bulagarian Alians coming “from beyond the sea” con-structed Demir Baba Khanqah on top of the megalithic Thra-cian altar. Carved architectural elements from earlier cult build-ing and large stone blocks in the yard indicate that Bulgarian

“Demir Baba Khanqah”

pagans probably had their cult building here too. At the end of the 19th century Schkorpil brothers saw a large stone cross with a second cross carved in it on the hill near the khanqah. According to the legend the khanqah was built by Demir Baba himself and being his ossuary-mausoleum distinguishes itself with the rare heptagonal form. An astronomical examination indicated that the builder accu-rately oriented it towards the rise of the sun touching with its lower side the horizon during the summer solstice (in 1560 the solstice was on June 12 according to the Julian calendar). In the sarcophagus large boots made of copper and zinc alloy were placed at the position of the feet and many burning candles were placed at the position of the head. As the candles were a symbol of the fire and the sun the village is called Sveshtari. At present a walking path from the central meadow of Sboryanovo to Demir Baba Khanqah has been constructed and the yard of Demir Baba Khanqah has been provided with utilities in order to house a museum expo-sition in the existing old building. This part of the preserve is also used for various cultural events (festivals, fairs of national art, cultural customs), which complement the attraction of Sboryanovo. It is accessible by an asphalt road, an alley and a well-constructed stairway, which all start from the parking lot of “Ahinora” cabin in Sboryanovo. It could be visited without tour guide (there are informational signs) or with a tour guide from the Welcoming centre of the Tomb of Sveshtari.

Address: on the territory of NHAP “Sboryanovo”Working hours: Accessible all the time in the year. From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday – Sunday – from 9:00 h to 17:00 h – with a tour guide from the Tomb of Sveshtary complex. The remaining period – tour guide available upon request to the museum or visitation with no tour guide.Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum IsperihWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

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“Kamen Rid” SanctuaryIs an important object in the preserve “Sboryanovo”. At the heart of the preserve lays a big Thracian fortified town. It is situated on a plateau surrounded from three directions by a meander of the river. According to Prof. Totko Stoyanov of Sofia University, who has been studying the town’s centre, the fortification system and its economical potential, as well as the monumental tombs in Sbo-ryanovo for 27 years, the Get town could be identified as Helis – the residence of Dromihait known from the ancient sources. A stone wall with length of 1400 m protected the town’s central area of 100 decares. The contemporary road follows the trace of the ancient one and passes before the southern fortress wall, constructed of big limestone blocks, reaching the remains of a tower and the southern main gate of the town. The import of quality wine, olive oil and expensive table utensils is an evidence for the prosperity and the economical viability of the Get elite inhabiting Sboryanovo during the age of Lizimach, who was a successor of Alexander the Great in ancient Thrace. According to the ancient authors, Lizimach was captured by the Get ruler during the war between Lizimach and Dromihait and was transported to the capitol until the payment of ransom of a great value. The object is accessible by using a well-maintained asphalt road connecting the villages Malak Porovets and Sveshtari and crossing the preserve. It could be visited separately (there are information sighs) or with a tour guide from the Welcoming centre of The Tomb of Sveshtari.

The Get Capitol Helis

Address: on the territory of NHAP “Sboryanovo”Working hous: Accessible all the time in the year. From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday – Sunday – from 9:00 h to 17:00 h – with a tour guide from the Tomb of Sveshtary complex. The remaining period – tour guide available upon request to the museum or visitation with no tour guide.Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum – IsperihWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

Address: on the territory of NHAP “Sboryanovo”Working hous: Accessible all the time in the year. From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday – Sunday – from 9:00 h to 17:00 h – with a tour guide from the Tomb of Sveshtary complex. The remaining period – tour guide available upon request to the museum or visitation with no tour guide.Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum – IsperihWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

“Kamen Rid” is a sanctuary from the early Stone Age built from the Thracian tribe Gets for the purposes of sacrifices honoring the sun-god. At the beginning of the the 1st mil-lenium B.C. the Gets started to offer sacrifices to the sun-god on the bare plateau Kamen Rid in Sboryanovo. The sanctuary was founded at the dawn of the Iron Age and functioned for 7 centuries gradually taking its final form. Its area is 47.5 decares wide and is encircled by preserved 1-meter-high walls. The only en-trance to the sacred territory is the southern side where the remains of an ancient wall can still be distinguished. Two big stone circles in the north-western part mark the places where the sacred actions were done. A big stone al-tar is built in one of the circles. The location is accessible by foot following a wide dirt road starting from the parking lot of “Achinora” in HAP “Sboryanovo”. It could be visited sepa-rately or with a tour guide from the Welcoming centre of the Tomb of Sveshtari.

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is another interesting location on the territory of the preserve. The early-medieval-period village in the area Biyven Kasaba is an ensemble of living-, farm- and rep-resentative buildings that were dug or partly dug into the ground. The dug part of the buildings was faced with stone while the above-the-ground part was probably made of wood. The foundations of a small one-nave chapel holding a bronze cross-reliquary were found dur-ing examinations. The examinations of the area continue and form the appearance of an early-medieval-period estate dated 9th-11th century. Parts of the artifacts are exhibited in Historical Museum Isperih.

The area “Biyven Kasaba”

Historical Museum – Isperih provides the maintenance, the presentation and the popularization of the immovable cul-tural heritage of HAP “Sboryanovo” and also takes part in its examination. The foundation of the District Archeological Association “Khan Omurtag” in 1927 is regarded to be the start of the museum activity in Isperih. As years passed the members of the association collected a small heterogeneous collection of ar-cheological artifacts.

Historical Museum

Telephone for the Permanent Exhibition and Art Gallery (temporary exposition):084 313 619; 084 312 516.Telephone of administration: 084 314 783Working hours: 8:30 h – 17:00 h, days off – Saturday and Sunday;June – September no days off.Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

In November 1975 the inhabitants and the guests of the town had the opportunity to see the collection when a permanent exhibition was opened in the newly-constructed library building.

Today the Historical Museum has the following divi-sions: archeology, ethnography, new and modern history, art, administration and economy, restora-tion laboratory. The fund of the museum keeps over 4500 units. Locations: Permanent Exposition: Isperih, Vassil Levski Str. in the building of the Cultural centre.

Address: on the territory of NHAP “Sboryanovo”Working hours: Accessible all the time in the year. From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday – Sunday – from 9:00 h to 17:00 h – with a tour guide from the Tomb of Sveshtary complex. The remaining period – tour guide available upon request to the museum or visitation with no tour guide.Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum – IsperihWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

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It is located in the centre of the town of Isperih on 9 “Stefan Kradja” Street not far from the library. In the past it was a Turkish town-hall and later a home of a wealthy Bulgarian. In 1991 its restoration was com-pleted and the house started to function as a muse-um unit. Items and appliances from the everyday life of the local population can be seen in it. The monthly temporary exhibitions are devoted to various aspects of the life and occupation of the population in the past and to contemporary master craftsmen practitioners. The Ethnographic house is a centre of the Maize Fair conducted in October.

In Belintsi village, 15 km away from Isperih, is situated the Wind Mill, which is immovable cultural object of value with local significance con-structed entirely of wood at the beginning of the20th century. In it one can see the grain milling process done by two millstones and can learn more about the construction, the history and the importance of wind mills for our region. The mill in Belintsi village is about 140 years old. It is movable and can be moved to open and windy places after uninstallation. Initially it was constructed and placed near Rozino village (Kara Mihal) in the area of Razgrad. Later it was moved to the villages Vladimirovtsi and Pchelina and eventually it was bought by the master miller Kasim Yaha Sadak from Belintsi village. In his family the miller profession was passed by right of succession from father to son. The mill was moved and mounted on its current location in 1969. In 1972 it was put into practice and serviced the population in the village and the whole area. Maize, wheat, barley, red pepper and grits was milled there. It is an interesting place for visitation. In 1987 the mill was proclaimed to be a monument of culture and since then is maintained by Historical Museum Isperih. The basic parts and mechanisms of the facility were replaced several times. The last thorough maintenance was completed in the autumn of 2000. With a special ap-proval of the ministry century-old trees in the Smyadovski Blakan were cut for the preparation of basic beams and the mechanism of the mill. The preparation of the parts to be put into the mill was made by hand by Kasim and his son. At present the security and the maintenance of the unit is realized by the son of the former owner – Beyti Kasim Yaha, who is also part of the personnel of Historical Museum Isperih.

Ethnographic house

Address: 9 “Stefan Karadja” Str.,Isperih, Razgrad DistrictTelephone: 084 313 735 Working hours: 8:30 h. to 17:00 h.Days off – Saturday and Sunday,June – September – no days offWebsite: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

Address: Belintsi village, Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad DistrictTelephone: 084 314 783; 084 313 660; 084 313 661Working hours: 08:30 to 17:00 upon preliminary request to Historical Museum Isperih.Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com

Wind Mill in Belintsi Village

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Address: Monument of Khan Aspharuh,2 “Dunav” Str,Isperih Razgrad DistrictWebsite: www.museumisperih.com,www.getika.com

“Medieval” Fortress “The Castle” in Malak Porovets Village stands on a high southern hill upon the beautiful vil-lage Malak Porovets. It is surrounded by high cut stone walls with towers and arrowslits just like those in the movies and on historic places. The view from it is impressive and matchless.

All inhabitants in the Municipality of Isperih and many of the visitors of Isperih have seen the monumental construction “Khan Aspharuh”. It is the only monument of such magnitude in Bulgaria depicting the founder of our homeland. It was created by a group of artists including the sculp-tor Vladimir Tsvetkov and the architect Stoyko Donchev. The sculptor depicted the founder as a peaceful and wise leader. The concrete paths form rays around the central figure and symbolize the number of tribes united by Aspharuh and forming the new nation. The construction with the warriors has height of 3.40 m and the granite pedestal supporting the monument of Aspharuh has height of 4 m. The whole monument rises as high as 11.60 m. It was opened on October 16, 1981 with an official ceremony for the 1300-year anniversary of the Bulgarian nation.

The hose with the woodcarvings is in Malak Porovets village (8 km away from Isperih). It was built in 1954 by the original master woodcarver Martin Petkov who spent 16 years of his life to turn the house into a unique creation of human genius, of love and admiration to Bulgarian spirit and traditions. Each room and its furniture (also creation of the Master) is entirely decorated with exquisite woodcarvings and is the-matically connected to separate ideas: “Family Altar”, “The Room with

the Georgievski Cross”, “The Room with the Twelve Apos-tles”, “Throne Hall”, “Arabic Room”.

“Medieval” Fortress “The Castle” in Malak Porovets Village

“House with Woodcarvings” in Malak Porovets Village

Monument of Khan Aspharuh

Address: 60 “Vassil Levski” Str., Malak Porovets village, Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad District

Address: 14 “Scythe” Str., Malak Porovets village, Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad District

1918

Historical Museum Popovo

MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVOOrthodox Church Temple “Sveti Arhangel Michail” in Popovo (the so called old church) was built by the Christian inhabitants of Pop-ovo with the support of Midhat Pasha and the vali in Ruse in 1863 after a great argu-ment. It was sanctified in 1880. The temple is restored to its current appearance in 1975. During the communist regime it was con-verted into a museum of the Russo-Turskish War and after that into an icon gallery of the museum. Restoration works followed again in the year 2000 and for the first time the temple’s icons were restored turning it into an active church temple. It resem-bles a complex from the National Revival period having a neat white church with stone tiling, beautiful wall paintings, a bell tower, a stone brick wall and a quiet, calm yard with vines, a fountain, flowers, memorial tablets and tombs of priests, founders and Russian soldiers who fell during the battles near Svetlen village (also called the small Shipka) in the summer of 1877. The church is maintained by the priest who serves at the new church in the town.

Orthodox Church Temple “Sveti Arhangel Michail”

The Late-Roman fortress “Kovachevsko Kale” has been a very interesting place for the cherishers of culinary tourism for two decades. It is located about 7 km west of Popovo’s centre in the vicinity of the contemporary road Popovo-Byala. The fortress lies in a small valley formed by the infusion of the north-western feeder Chepez Dere to Kovachevska River (Erek Dere). The town with the for-tress wall was built between year 308 and year 324 during the joint ruling of the emperors Litsinii I and Constantine I the Great. The fortress walls are 3.20 m thick. The inner part of the town includes over 40 decares. The fortifying sys-tem is provided with 17 protruding towers positioned symmetrically along the

Late-Roman Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”

Address: 97 “Bulgaria’ Blvd.,Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictWorking hours: 8:00h to 12:00 h and 13:00 h to 17:00 h from Monday to Friday. Every Thursday the exposition could be visited free of charge.Contact Phone: 0608 43 564; 0878 675 815 - DirectorOfficial website of the museum:www.museumpopovo.com

It was started as a library collection but received the status of a municipal historical museum in 1991. The Present exhibition was opened on March 2, 1995. It occupies an area of 350 square meters. The museum’s fund includes around 30 000 units and only 2500 of them are part of the exposition. The exposition was entirely refreshed in the summer and autumn of 2013. The ethno-graphic exposition “From Popovo village to the town of Popovo” is arranged in another building belonging previously to Mara Taseva, who was hanged in 1942 for anti-fascist political activity. The Paintings Art Gallery “Cyril Mayski” is housed in another building of the museum.

The Municipality of Popovo is located in North-Eastern Bulgaria and is part of Targovishte District. The municipality includes 35 populated locations. The administrative center is the town of Popovo.

Address: “Arhangelska” Str., PopovoContact phone: 0608 44 200 – priests

ELENOVO

SADINA

ZAHARI STOYANOVO

GAGOVO

POPOVO

APRILOVOZVEZDA

DOLETS

OPAKA

GOLYAMOGRADISHTE

BERKOVSKI

KOVACHEVETS

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whole length of the wall. In the autumn of 2013 a newly built visitor centre was opened near the fortress. A model of the fortress and its multimedia presentation could be seen in the centre. A museum collection of artifacts found during archeological examinations is about to be opened in the centre, too. The whole area west of the Kale is at present urbanized and converted into a pleasant park with amphitheater and places for recreation for the children and the grown-ups. The uncovered parts of the fortifying system of the fortress are socialized and accessible for visitation and the visitors have the chance to examine models of antic weaponry and siege equipment.

Thracian Tomb Mound near Gagovo village is 700 m north of the village center. It is in the vicinity of the main road for the town of Opaka. It is accessible by a dirt road. The mound is part of a necropolis comprising another two mounds in north and north-east direction which are in the area of Opaka. Just before the signs of Municipality Opaka on the road Gagovo-Opaka (road 202), a dirt road leading to Cherni Lom River and the hills above it (north-east of road 202) reaches the mound after 1 km distance. The mound was constructed under the order of high Thracian Get nobleman at the end of the 4th century B.C. The mound is located in the area of Gagovo village near the road to the town of Opaka. It is reachable by a dirt road. The tomb was excavated in 2009-2010 and is a monumen-tal architectural complex includ-ing two circular burial chambers, a joint rectangular chamber dromos (corridor) and one additional rec-tangular chamber. The two circular chambers share one connection accessible by entrance covered with a two-folding stone door. Each of the two chambers have a sepa-rate exit toward the joint pre-burial

chamber. Such a tomb with two-chamber architec-tural design had never been found on the territory of Bulgaria. Protection cover has been constructed above the remains of the tomb in order to prevent it from adverse atmospheric conditions. The loca-tion has not been socialized for visitations yet, and there is no organized tourist itinerary for it. How-ever, the access to the mound is absolutely free.

Thracian Tomb Mound

The Roman fortress “Dobroselsko Kale” (“Tashla Yol Kale”) or the “Fortress of the stone road” is located 3.5 km west of Sadina. It stands at the end of Sadina village area on a small natural elevation resembling a mound, which is hidden in a small valley near Zahari Stoyanovo village. Probably an old Roman road crossed it in the past and that is where its Turkish name come from. The Dobrosel Gulch (Kodja Hende Dere) near this small 2-decares fortress joins Malki (Mali) Lom River. Karel Schkorpil saw part of fortress wall remains during visitation of the fortress in 1891. At present, the numerous treasure hunters’ holes for coins dated to the time of Fillip II of Macedon and the whole Roman and Byzantine Age uncover separate parts of stone walls joined by white mortar mixed with brick particles. An old brick well in the highest part of the fortress has been partly uncovered by treasure hunters. The area is very beautiful. At the woody foot of the fortress the locals have created a large and comfortable picnic place with a cold water spring, benches and a fireplace.

Fortress “Dobroselsko Kale”

The working hours of the visitors centre are in process of approval.Address: 7km west of PopovoTelephones: 0892 077 654; 0884 238 706 – tour guides and animators; 0608 40 261, Division Culture in the Municipality of Popovo Website: www.kovachevskokale.bg, www.popovo.bg

Address: 3.5 km west of sasina village, Municipality of Popovo, Razgrad District.Telephone: 06036 2222; 0878 675 867 – Mayor’s Office in Sadina villageWebsite: http://selo.sadina.f11.us/; www.popovo.bg

Telephone of Historic Museum Popovo: 0608 43 564; 0878 675 815 – DirectorOfficial website of the museum: www.museumpopovo.com.Website: www.popovo.bg

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Address: Sadina village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 06036 2222 - Mayor’s Ofiice of Sadina vilage, 0892 077 654 and 0608 40 261 - Department Culture in the Municipality of PopovoWebsite: http://selo.sadina.f11.us/

The traditional house of Kapantsi was converted into Kapanski Architectural and Ethnographic Complex devoted to the Kapantsi and their material and spiritual culture in order to present this interesting ethnographic group from North-eastern Bulgaria preserved to present day. The complex is a mixture of traditional Kapanski style and modern facilities for recreation and relaxa-tion. The complex includes a house with ethnographic exposition present-ing the life and traditions of the Kapantsi. In its yard there are an open stage, a barbecue, a well, a traditional stone fountain, a covered area with an old-style shed and wooden tables and benches. The recreation build-ing has two floors. The first floor is provided with a modern kitchen with cooking stove, coffee-machine, refrigerator, sink, ceramic utensils; a dining room with a fireplace; a separate bedroom furnished in traditional Kapanski style and a corridor with a dressing room and a guestroom having 4 beds and a separate dressing room. The second floor includes two rooms styled like tourist bedrooms, each having 5 beds and a dressing room. There is an option for organizing of events for the purposes of the complete recreation of the guests. A variety of traditional Kpanski dishes and folklore animations is available. The complex is maintained and hired by the mayor’s office in Sadina.

Kapanski Architectural and Ethnographic ComplexThere is a woody hill called Kerchana or “Kerchan Bair” located 1 km north of Aprilovo village and about 10 km south of the center of Popovo. It is located in the so called “Lomski south-east hills” between the rivers Dermen Dere and Gloginsko Dere (Kazalarsko Dere). Its highest point is 385 m and it gives a per-fect view of several kilometers in distance as well as a view towards the valley of Cherni Lom River. The southern rocky part of this hill is separated in two sub-parts by a short gully. The almost obliterated ruins of the late-antic fortress “The Monastery” (Kale “Manastir”) are located in the north-western part. At the foot of the hill is the valley of Cherni Lom River. The area is famous with the last battle of Tanyo Voivode’s detachment against the Turkish pursuit-party on May 26, 1876. The place of death of the voivode is at the foot of the hill. Traditionally every year on June 2 there is an official ceremony on the hill before the monument of the voivode. The ceremony honors the feat of the warriors who fell for the Liberation of Bulgaria during the April Rebellion. During the Russo-Turkish War (summer of 1877) there were trenches on the hill and battles were fought – even in present day lead bullets fired by various weapons could be found. A shady asphalt road leads to the highest part of the hill and is suitable for busses, cars and bicycles. Along the road there are fountains and places for rest and picnic. On a sunny meadow not far from the monument of Tnayo Voivode was buried the volunteer-warrior of third battalion Atanas Peev – participant in the battles of Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora.

Kerchana Hill Near Aprilovo Village

Address: 1 km away from Aprilovo village, Municiplality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 060 377 221; 0893 336 801 -Mayor;s Office of Aprilovo villageEntrance and regime - freeWebsite: www.popovo.bg

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For the purposes of the weekly social recreation 3560 decares in the municipality were assigned for parks, water and fish reservoirs and tourist and hunting cabins giving perfect opportunities for alternative tourism. Leading are the high-class bases for hunting tourism in Elenovo village, Golyamo Gradishte village and the area “Marinka Laka” near Popovo. They are property of the Forest Association “Cherni Lom” and are a point of attraction for cherishers from all over Europe.

Around 1885-1886 the population of Zvez-da village built a small church temple – a chapel bearing the name of the saints Peter and Pavel, at the place of a spring believed to have healing water helping the blind peo-ple to regain their sight.

Parks, Water and fish reservoirs, tourist and hunting cabins

Healing spring with a chapel in Zvezda village on the territory of Municipality of Popovo

Adress: Elenovo village, Municipality of Popovo; Golyamo Gradishte village, Municipality of Opaka; Area Marinka Laka, 5 km east of the town of Popovo on the road to Razgrad after the deviation for Kardam village, near water purifying facility of Popovo and Cherni Lom River.Address of management “Association of Hunters and Fishermen”:1 “Tsar Osvoboditel” Str., Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelphone: 0608 42 731; fax: 0608 43 876 – secretaryAddress of management of National Hunting Association “Cherni Lom”:68 “Mihail Madjarov” Str., Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 0608 42 047 - Director; 0608 42 077 – Dept. DirectorWebsite: www.popovo.bgAddress: Sadina village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 06036 2222 – Mayor’s Office of Sadina villalge, 0892 077 654 and 0608 40 261 – Department Culture in the Municipality of PopovoWebsite: http://selo.sadina.f11.us/

Address: Zvezda village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District. The North-western part of the village.Telephone: 060 30 430; 0878 675 837 – The Mayor’s Office in Zvezda village.Website: www.popovo.bg

Later, on the same place the people started to make boiled mutton for health on the day of the holy apostles Kostantin and Elena – Kostadinovden (May 21). The healing spring is in the north-western part of the village – at its end. The chapel was rebuilt in 1986 on top of the foundation of the old chapel and is currently reconstructed and devoted to sv. sv. Konstantin and Elena. It covers the spring and still helps people with health and sight problems. The location is maintained by the Mayor’s Office in the village.

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One very suitable place for relaxation com-bined with sport fishing with tickets is situated in the area of Popovo in the direction of Targo-vishte. Every year reservoir “Kavatsite” is be-ing artificially bred with 10 000 carp units. It also features carassius, European perch, grass carp, zander, common rudd, silver carp, crab, shell and many other species. Pleasant and comfortable hotel complex of cabins is built in the forest near the reservoir bank. At the oppo-site bank of the reservoir there is also a hotel “Loven Dom” – Seyachi quarter, which is also in the vicinity of a hunting and shooting range complex. The location is maintained by the lo-cal hunting and fishing association.

Reservoir “Kavatsite”

Eminence “Kalakotch” is the highest part of Popovo Hills (448 m). It is located between the villages Kovachevets, Palamarza, Goliyamo Gradishte and Tsar Asen. It is the third highest point in the Danubian Plain. Nowadays the largest part of the eminence is included in the area of Palamarza village. There is a dirt road starting from the village and almost reaching the top of the eminence. Ac-cess by foot is also available from Popovo and the villages Palamarza and Ko-vachevets. Under favorable weather conditions there is an excellent view of vil-lages, rivers and reservoirs far away from the area of the Municipality of Popovo. On top of the eminence is a mound used as an observation post by the Bulgarian army and King Boris III himself during the large military maneuvers in 1937. The ancient legend for the death of princess Antola and her lover - the shepherd Vel-lizar, also includes this mound.

Eminence “Kalakotch”

Address: Reservoir Kavatsite, Popovo, the south-eastern exit of the town in the direction of Targovishte. Popovo, 1 “Tsar Osvoboditel” Str., Association of Hunters and Fishermen in Popovo. Telephone: 0608 43 876, 0608 42 731, 0608 43 876, Association of Hunters and Fishermen in Popovo; 0608 42 956, Hunting Centre and hotel rooms.

Eco path with a length of 13.5 km. It is located 20 km west of Popovo along the banks of the beautiful and picturesque valley near Buyuk Dere (Big River). It stands between the villages Ivan-cha and Dolets. It is one of the best places for the cherishers of nature and is situated on the natural border of the Balkan and Danubian Plain. This virgin place offers spiritual pleasure from the mixture of water, rocks and vegetation. Tour-ists may take part in the magical and romantic adventures of bicycling, outing, herb gathering, observation of rare plants, fishing, preparation and tasting of local eco-products, traditional fes-tivals in the area “Tiulbeto”, visitation of fulling-mill (near Ivancha village), spending the night in a tent or under the open sky. There is everything to guarantee a day-long pleasant experiences in the Municipality of Popovo.

Eco Path “The Big River”

Address: Dolets village, Municipaliy of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 060 383 370; 0878 675 856, Mayor’s Office Dolets villageAddress: Ivancha village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 060 383 380; 0887 756 284 – Mayor‘s Office Ivancha villageWebsite: www.popovo.bg

Address: Kovachevets village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 06038 2222; 0878 675 844 – Mayor’s Office Kovachevets villageAddress: Palamarza village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte DistrictTelephone: 06035 2222; 0878 675 857 - Mayor’s Office Palamarza villageWebsite: www.popovo.bg28 29

Located 2 km east of the town center along the road Ruse – Varna. The museum activity in Razgrad started in 1887. In the funds of the regional historical museum are kept over 70 000 units including unique items – a collection of idol plastic art, a Golden Pegasus, bronze and marble matrixes, sacred tiles, etc. The fund also includes collections of adornments and weapons as well as a rich numismatic collection of golden, silver and bronze coins from different ages. The park near the building is converted into an open-air museum with magnificently presented Lapidarii. About 70 epigraphic monuments are exposed in it.

Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and Historical Museum Razgrad

The largest part of the monuments is from Roman age and was found in the antic town “Abritus”. The encircling alley leads to “Abrutus” itself – an important town center in Moesia Inferior province (present day Northern Bul-garia). The archeological preserve area is about 1000 decares. It includes a village mound from the 5th-6th millennium B.C., a Roman military camp, several villages, a Late-Roman fortress “Abritus” and 4 necropolises. A bath complex, two three-naved basilicas one of which episcopal, a cross-domed church, social and living quarters and numerous artifacts were found in the antic town. Among the artifacts is the largest Bulgarian late-antic golden coin treasure of 835 soliduses (5th century). The well-restored villa Urbana – a peristyle complex from the end of the 4th century occupying area of 3200 square meters, can also be visited within the boundaries of the preserve. Of interest is also the well-exposed fortress wall of “Abritus” having 4 gates and 35 battle towers.

Municipality of Razgrad is located in North-Eastern Bulgaria, part of Razgrad District. The Municipality includes 22 populated locations. Administrative Centre is the town of Razgrad.

MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD

Address: 70 “Aprilsko Vastanie” Blvd.,Working hours: from April 1 to October 30: 9:00 h – 17:00 h with no days off; from November 1 to March 31: 9:00 h – 17:00 h; Saturday and Sunday – upon preliminary requestTelephones: 084 660 851; 084 662 459; 0878 901 430Website: http://abritvs.atspace.com/

ZAVET

KUBRAT

TOPCHII

POBIT KAMAK

RAZGRAD SAMUIL

TSARKALOYAN

3130

Address: Razgrad, 20 “Venelin” Str.,Telephone: 0878 901 434Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com

The home of the noble educators of the Bulgarian Nation-al Revival has always been one of the spiritual centers in the town. The family contributed greatly for the education and the awakening of the local population in the middle and the second half of the 19th century. The exposition offers information for the life and the activity of the two educators and for the history and educational activity in Razgrad. The exposition also presents a recreation of the way of life and the atmosphere in the second half of the 19th century. Stanka Nikolitsa is the first Bulgarian female poet. The museum is in Varosha quarter.

House Museum “Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi”

Original architectural ensemble bearing the spirit and atmosphere of the National Revival. A large number of museums, cultural centers and comfortable places of entertainment keeping the spirit of Old Razgrad are concentrated here.

Varosha Quarter

It is located in Varosha quarter and comprises a complex of 3 restored old houses with yards. The exposition presents in original way the traditional culture of the local ethnographic group Kapantsi. Presented are their festival calendar system, way of life, apparel and adornments. Various exhibitions and concerts are organized on the ter-ritory of the museum and during the White Nights of the town it becomes a mystical territory of legends and old traditions.

Ethnographic Museum

House Museum of the Composer Dimitar Nenov

The house is native for the noble com-poser and pianist Dimitar Nenov who is a representative of the Second generation of Bulgarian composers. It presents the in-formation for his life and activity and also exhibits the piano he used to play when he was young. Nenov is one of the founders of the Association of the Bulgarian Compos-ers “Contemporary Music” (1933) and is its first secretary and treasurer. In the 30’s of the 20th century he entirely devoted himself to music. His works are various: vocal and instrumental works, piano plays, works for symphonic orchestra, etc.

The house museum “Akad. Ananie Yavash-ov” opened doors on February 25, 2011. It was restored, renovated and equipped with funds granted by OPRD and the Municipal-ity of Razgrad. It is connected to the life and activity of academician Ananie Yavashov – a famous social figure, pedagogue and re-searcher who contributed significantly for the examination of the history of Razgrad area. The detailed examination of the an-tic Roman town Archeological Preserve “Abritus” was exclusively result of his work. House Museum “Ananie Yavashov” pro-vides exhibition area for various units from the rich fund of the historical museum and for visiting cultural treasures. The museum is a preferred place for various art events, presentations, educational programs, etc. It is successfully becoming an active center keeping the history of the area. Included is a separate library with historical literature and an elegantly arranged book and souvenirs store.

House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov”

Address: 13 “rakovski” Str.;“Varosha” QuarterTelephone: 0878 901 436Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com

Address: Razgrad, 7 “Sv. Kliment Ohrisdski” Str.,Telephone: 0878 901 439Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com

Addres: Razgrad, 20 “Antim I” Str.Telephone: 0878 901 437Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com

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Opened in 1972. It keeps over 3000 art works of world-famous and local painters (Dragan Danailov; Kosta Petrov; Maxim Tsankov; Georgi Yordanov).

It was constructed in 1860 by the builder master Stan-cho Danailov. It was reshaped in 1903 when a bell tower was added. The area of the temple is around 590 square meters. In 1862 a decoration of woodcarvings was made by the national-revival master Gencho Kanev. In-side the temple there are 8 large chancel-screen icons created by the hands of Zaharii Tsankov and his son. The wall paintings are from the period 1933-1934. The church is one of the most representative in Bulgaria from the period of the middle 19th century. The temple also houses a library, which was founded after the Liberation of Bulgaria. Books by different authors are stored in it. Their content is also various – religious and secular, ar-tistic and philosophical, historical, economical, etc.

Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov”

Monument of culture with national significance located in the central town area near the Clock Tower. It was built in its present appearance in 1617 with funds collected by the waqf founded by Ibrachim Pasha – a great vizier of Suleiman the Magnificent. According to the Turkish traveler Evliya Chelebi who visited the Mosque in the 17th century the solidity and the magnificence of the mosque rivaled the mosque of Rustem Pasha of Tsarigrad. The exquisite architecture made some specialists think that the building was designed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan or his apprentices. Unfortunately there is no direct evidence for this. A local legend about the mosque “Ibrachim Pasha” tells the fol-lowing story: The jealous Pasha decided to kill the builder mas-ters after they finish their work so that they could never create a similar architectural masterpiece again. The builders, however, realized his cruel plans and intentionally worked slowly using their time to construct wings from wood and feathers. On the day the mosque was completed the builders were locked in its minaret in order to be thrown down and killed the following morning. When the morning came the builders flew away towards their liberty. They didn’t want to leave their instrument and beforehand they strapped their axes to the wings.

Mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”Address: Razgrad, 1 “Vasil Aprilov” Str.,Visitation: The church is open every day from 07:00 h. to 18:00 h.Morning service: 07:00 h. Evening service: 16:00 h.Website: http://church-rz.landbg.com/

Address: 2 “Cyril i Metodii” Str.,Telephone: 0885 843 481Website: http://www.rzgallery.com/

For its time being the Art Gallery turned out to be a very important cultural center for the town and the region, as well as a museum for the achieve-ments of the modern plastic sculpture.

Temple “Sveti Nikolay Chudotvorets”

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Monument of culture and also a symbol of Razgrad. It is a cast iron sculpture of a maiden in antic clothes bearing a hydria (water contain-er) on her shoulder. The sculpture is positioned on a stone pedestal. The sculpture decorates a fountain in the town center and was con-structed in the 19th century. Another legend connects the construction of the fountain with the romantic but impossible and tragic love be-tween a wealthy Armenian maiden Anahid and a poor Bulgarian teacher Ivan. The locals built Momina Cheshma (Maiden’s Fountain) to honor the local Romeo and Juliet. There is a belief in Razgrad that the one drinking from the water will be happy till the end of his/her days as he/she will have the greatest treasure – love.

Momina Cheshma

A magnificent monument of culture located on the oldest town square “Vazrajdane”. It was built as early as the Liberation (1879) with the funds and the vol-untary work of the Razgrad’s population to honor the Russian warriors who liberated the town from Otto-man yoke on January 28, 1878. Every year the people of Razgrad gather on this date before the Mausoleum to honor their liberators. January 28 became an official holiday for Razgrad and the duke liberator Dondukov-Korsakov became the first Honored citizen.

Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators

It was constructed in 1764 and recon-structed in 1864. It is located in the center of the town. The tower was built by the builder master Todor Tonchev from Tryav-na and is 26.15 m high. The Clock Tower is the symbol of Razgrad. Typical for it is the arc shaped cornices and the dome re-sembling church architecture.

Clock Tower

Address: “Nezavisimost” Squre

Address: “Momina Cheshma” Square

Address: “Vazrajdane” Square, Razgrad

The axes cut the ropes and the brave men found their death as their bodies fell in different parts of the Ludogorie area. According to the legend the locals remembered these places and honored them for many years. For the Turkish people the places were sacred and the Bulgarians also lit grave-lamps on them. The beautiful legend of these true sons if Icar inspired the author of the monu-ment in the vicinity of the mosque. It is a stone sculpture depicting a man with wings preparing to fly away.

Address: In the center of Razgrad near “Bulgaria” Square

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Address: 7 km south-west of Razgrad, in the direction of Popovo

It is located 7 km away from Razgrad. It includes a territory of 1200 hectares with semi-mountainous lay and magnificent natural conditions – a river, 2 water res-ervoirs with sunbathing places, rich biological diversity and presence of cultural and historic monuments. The beautiful nature is combined with good infrastruc-ture. It is accessible by car, by foot or by bicycle using a specially constructed bicycle and pedestrian alley starting from the end of the town and reaching the sunbathing place of the first reservoir. There are several comfortable hotels on the territory of Pchelina including one SPA-hotel, cabins and restaurants. The opportunities for sports and tourism are various – sport fields for football and volleyball and the game “Petanka”. Sport fishing, water motorsports, rowing, horse riding, bicycling, tourist orienting, etc. can be practiced here. Sixteen spe-cialized itineraries with a total length of 46 km have been marked in the recrea-tional and tourist zone. Eight of them are pedestrian paths (including a path for people with disabilities). There are two itineraries for mountain biking and two itineraries for horse riding. The area is accessible for people with disabilities. Suitably adapted are also the sunbathing places near the reservoir and its ad-joining facilities.

Recreational Area Pchelina

It is 20 km north of Razgrad. It occupies a terri-tory of 4 decares and includes several restored houses and yards from the National Revival period proclaimed monuments of culture. The authentic arrangement of Bulgarian home inhabited by the ethno-graphic group Balkandjii can be seen here. Places for recreation of local handi-crafts have been differentiated. The visitors can test their skills for weaving of

rugs and knitting of straw-mats and can taste local dishes pre-pared according to old authen-tic recipes. The taste of the wine and the rakia prepared in the complex will bring the guests back in time and inspire them with the positive energy of the ancestors that came from the Balkan and settled in this area.

Ethnographic Complex of Pobit Kamak Village

Ethnographic Complex Topchii VillageOpened on November 28, 1981. The exposi-tion was created to preserve the traditions, the way of life and the culture of the group Kapantsi. The main occupation of the local population is presented in it – farming and agriculture, and from the period of National Revival – the development of the handicrafts woodcarving, furriery, leather manipulation, metal forging. The typical architectural ele-ments including the kivgir (fireplace) and the kilvan (brick stove) of the Kapanski home, which is similar to the homes of the other eth-nographic groups in North-Eastern Bulgaria, are revealed.

Address: Topchii village, Municipality of Razgrad1 “Dobri Chintulov” Str.,Telephone: 0896 209 217

The special features of the apparel of Ka-pantsi can be seen here – a strong contrast of white and black colors and embroidered red details. The materials for carpets and coverings are remarkable with the richness of color, compositional style and sense of measure.

Address: 58 “3 March” Str., Pobit Kamak village Telephone: 0876 229 277

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MUNICIPLALITY OF ISPERIH

ONE-DAY PACKAGE MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH

ONE-DAY PACKAGE MUNICIPLITY OF POPOVO

09:30 h. Arrival at Welcoming Centre of “The Tomb of Sveshtari”09:30 - 10:00 h. Coffee Break10:00 - 12:30 h. Visitation to HAP “Sboryanovo” (Tomb of a Thracian

King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)12:30 - 13:30 h. Lunch13:30 - 14:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings and “The

Castle”14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to Historical Museum and Ethnographic House15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi Departure

Variant 2 Variant 2

Variant 1

Variant 1MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO

09:10 h. Arrival in Popovo and Coffee Break in the town center

09:45 h. Visitation to Historical Museum10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex of the

Late-Roman Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”

12:00 h. Lunch in Popovo13:30 h. Visitation to the renovated Town park

and, upon request, to the chapel devoted to Sveta Bogoroditsa and built in 1908 on the territory of the park, and a coffee break

15:00 h. Visitation of the place of death of Tanyo Voivode’s detachment which participated in the April Rebelion together with the detachment of Hadji Dimitar on the hill Kerchan Bair near Aprilovo villge

16:20 h. Visitation to Art Gallery “Cyril Mayski” in Popovo or a walk with picnic along eco path the Big River near Ivancha village under free regime.

Departure

09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih09:30 - 10.30 h. Visitation to Historical Museum and Ethnographic House10:30 - 11:00 h. Monument of Khan Aspharuh11:00 - 12:00 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi 12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch in Isperih13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to HAP “Sboryanovo” (Tomb of a Thracian

King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.) 15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings

and “The Castle” Departure

09:00 h. Arrival in Popovo and Coffee Break in the town center09:45 h. Visitation to Historical Museum10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex of the Late-Roman

Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”12:30 h. Visitation to the area with the fortress “Dobroselsko Kale”13:15 h. Visitation to “Kapanski Complex” in Sadina village14:30 h. Visitation to the ruins of the Thracian Tomb Mound near

Gagovo village15.30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo16:00 h. Visitation to the healing spring with a chapel in Zvezda

village Departure

TOURIST PACKAGES AND ITINERARIES OF DESTINATION “ISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO:

А ROAD OF ANCIENT CULTURES AND TRADITIONS”

40 41

MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD

09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to “Varosha” quarter, Ethnographic

museum, temple “Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets”10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and

Historical Museum11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic Complex

in Pobit Kamak village12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and coffee break15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation of Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov” and a walk

in the central part of the town with visitation to the mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation to House Museums of the ducators Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi and of “Ananie Yavashov” (upon request by the tourist)

Departure

ONE-DAY PACKAGE MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD ISPERIH - RAZGRAD

TWO-DAY PACKAGES

Var

iant

1V

aria

nt 2

09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. Walk in the central part of the town with visitation to

the mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

10:30 - 11:15 h. Visitation to Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov”11:30 - 12:30 h. Visitation of Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and

Historical Museum12:45 - 13:45 h. Lunch13:45 - 14:15 h. A walk in “Varosha” quarter14:15 - 15:00 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Museum in “Varosha”

quarter15:00 - 16:00 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators

Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi. House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov”

16:00 - 16:30 h. Coffee break16:30 - 17:00 h. Visitation to the temple “Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets”

and Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators Departure

Variant 1

SECOND DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. A walk in the central part of the town with

visitation of the mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and Historical Museum

11:30 - 12:00 h. A walk in “Varosha” quarter12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch13:00 - 13:30 h. Visitation to Ethnographic museum in

“Varosha” quarter13:30 - 14:30 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators

Stanka and Nikolay Ikonomovi, House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov”

14:30 - 15:00 h. Coffee break15:00 - 16:00 h. Visitation to the temple “Sv. Nikolay

Chudotvorets” and Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators

Departure

FIRST DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih09:30 - 11:00 h. Visitation of historical Museum, Ethnographic House

and Monument of Khan Aspharuh11:00 - 12:00 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi 12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch 13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to HAP ”Sboryanovo” (Tomb of a Thracian

King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings and “The

Castle”17:00 - 18:00 h. A walk in the town and lodging in a hotel18:00 - 19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

42 43

FIRST DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to “Varosha” quarter, Ethnographic

Museum, Temple “Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets”10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and

Historical Museum 11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic Complex in Pobit

Kamak village12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and a coffee break15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Art Gellery “Prof. Iliya Petrov” and a

walk in the central part of the town with visitation to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation of House Museums (upon request by the tourist)

17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

SECOND DAY08:00 - 9:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Isperih09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi10:30 - 13:30 h. Visitation to HAP “Sboryanovo” (Tomb of a

Thracian King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)

13:30 - 14:30 h. Lunch14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation of the House with Woodcarvings and

“The Castle” or visitation of Historical Museum, Ethnographic House and the Monument of Khan Aspharuh

15:30 - 16:30 h. Coffee break Departure

FIRST DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and departure for Pobit

Kamak village10:00 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Complex in Pobit

Kamak village and tasting of culinary products11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Razgrad12:00 - 13:00 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve “Abritus”

and historical Museum13:00 - 14:00 h. Lunch14:00 - 14:45 h. Visitation to Ethnographic Museum in “Varosha”

quarter14:45 - 15:30 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators

Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi, DimitarNenov and House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov”

15:30 - 16:00 h. Visitation to Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov”16:00 - 16:30 h. Coffee break 16:30 - 17:30 h. A walk in the central part of the town with

visitation to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock tower, etc.

17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

SECOND DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Popovo10:30 h. Visitation to the tourist complex near Late-Roman

Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale” 11:20 h. Visitation of the area with the fortress

“Dobroselsko Kale”12:10 h. Visitation of Kapanski Architectural and

Ethnographic Complex in Sadina village13:00 h. Lunch in Popovo14:00 h. Visitation to Historical Museum15:00 h. Visitation of Art Galery “Cyril Mayski” in Popovo Departure

TWO-DAY PACKAGES

RAZGRAD - ISPERIHVariant 2 RAZGRAD-POPOVOVariant 3

44 45

FIRST DAY09:00 h. Arrival in Popovo and coffee break in the town center09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum10:45 h. Visitation of tourist complex near Late-Roman

Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”12:30 h. Lunch13:30 h. Visitation of the area with the fortress “Dobroselsko

Kale”14:15 h. Visitation to “Kapanski Complex” in Sadina village 15:30 h. Visitation to the ruins of the Thracian Burial Mound

near Gagovo village16:30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo and a

walk in the Town park17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

SECOND DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad10:20 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve “Abritus”

and the Historical Museum11:30 - 12:00 h. A walk in “Varosha” quarter12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch13:00 - 13:30 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Museum in Varosha

quarter13:30 - 15:00 h. Visitation of Art Gallery “Prof, Iliya Petrov”, House

Museum of the educators Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi, House Museum of “Ananie Yavashov”

15:00 h. Visitation of the Mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”, Momina Cheshma and Clock Tower

15:30 h. Coffee break Departure

FIRST DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Malak Porovets09:30 - 10:00 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings

and “The Castle”10:30 - 13:30 h. Visitation of HAP “Sboryanovo” (Tomb of

Thracian King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)

13:30 - 14:30 h. Lunch14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum and

Ethnographic House15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi16:30 - 17:00 h. Monuments of Khna Aspharuh and Sv.

Georgi Pobedonosets17:00 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel18:00 - 19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

SECOND DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to “Varosha” quarter, Ethnographic

museum, temple10:30 - 11:30 h. Vistation to Archeological Preserve “Abritu”:

and the Historical Museum11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic house in Pobit

Kamak village12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and a coffee break15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation of Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov”

and a walk in the central part of the town with visitation to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitations to House Museums (upon request by the tourist)

17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel18:00 h. Dinner and sleep

THREE-DAY PACKAGESPOPOVO-RAZGRADVariant 4

ISPERIH - RAZGRAD - POPOVOVariant 1

46 47

THIRD DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Popovo09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complec near the Late-Roman

Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”12:00 h. Lunch in Popovo13:30 h. Visitation to the renovated Town park and, upon request,

to the chapel devoted to Sveta Bogoroditsa and built in 1908 on the territory of the park, coffee break

15:00 h. Visitation of the place of death of Tanyo Voivode’s detachment which participated in the April Rebellion together with the detachment of Hadji Dimitar on the hill Kerchan Bair near Aprilovo village

16:20 h. Visitation of Art Gallery “Cyril Mayski” in Popovo Departure

FIRST DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Popovo09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex near Late-Roman

Fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”12:30 h. Visitation to the area with the fortress

“Dobroselsko Kale”13:15 h. Visitation to “Kapanski Complex” in Sadina village14:30 h. Visitation of the ruins of Thracian Burial Mound

near Gagovo village15:30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo16:00 h. Viistation to the healing spring with chapel in

Zvezda village17:30 h. A walk in the central part of Popovo, shopping

and visitation to the renovated Town Park located 700 m away from the town center

19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

SECOND DAY08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to “Varosha”quarter, Ethnographic Museum,

temple “Sv. NIkolay Chudotvorets”10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve “Abritus” and the

Historical Museum11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic house in Pobit Kamak village12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and coffee break15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Art Gallery “Prof. Iliya Petrov” and a walk

in the central part of the town with visitation of the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.

16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation to Huose Museums (upon request by the tourist)

17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel19:00 h. Dinner and sleep

THIRD DAY09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum and Ethnographic

House10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Wind Mill Belintsi11:30 - 12:00 h. Visitation of the monuments of Khan Aspharuh

and Sv. Georgi Pobedonosets12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation of HAP “Sboryanovo” (Tomb of a Thracian

King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)15:30 - 16:00 h. Coffee break16:00 - 16:30 h. Visitation of the House with

the Woodcarvings and “The Castle” Departure

POPOVO - RAZGRAD - ISPERIHVariant 2

48 49

Ethnographic itinerary

RAZGRAD - Ethnographical museum in Varosha quarter in Razgrad; tasting of local cuisine in the Ethnographical complex of Pobit Kamak village, customs and culture of ethnographical group “Kapantsi” in the ethnographic complex of Topchii village

ISPERIH - Ethnographic museum house in Isperih, The house with the woodcarvings in Malak Porovets village, Ethnographic collection Sveshtari village, Wind Mill in Belentsi village

POPOVO - Ethnographic exposition with the historical museum of Popovo, ethnographic museum collection in Svetlen village (Belomorska house) and Kapanski cultural and ethnographic complex in Sadina village (Municipality of Popovo)

Historical and archeological itinerary

RAZGRAD - Archeological preserve “Abritus” with the historical museum in Razgrad, the Ibrahim Pasha mosque, the church “Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets”, the Varosha quarter with the museum houses

POPOVO - Late-Roman-period fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”, Thracian cupola tomb near Gagovo village, Orthodox church temple “Sveti Arhangel Mihail”

ISPERIH - Historical and archeological preserve “Sboryanovo” (Thracian King Sepulture, the Thracian fortified town Helis, “Kamen Rid”, “Biyven Kasaba”, “Demir Baba khanqah”)

Event and festival tourism

POPOVO - International festival of twin towns of Popovo including a tour with visitation of locations in the Municipality of Razgrad – Historical Museum AR “Abritus”, Varosha quarter, Mauzoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators, Voinishki Monument, Clock Tower, the mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”, etc., or in the Municipality of Isperih – HAP “Sboryanovo”

RAZGRAD - Yearly Yogurt Fair and the Festival of the national traditions and artistic handicrafts in July, or the Festival of the immovable cultural heritage of Razgrad area “The white nights of Razgrad” in June, which include a tour with visitation of locations in the Municipality of Isperih – HAP “Sboryanovo”, or locations in the Municipality of Popovo – Late-Roman-period fortress “Kovachevsko Kale”

ISPERIH - Days of cultural and historic heritage and the Maize Fair in Isperih; including a tour and visitation of locations in the Municipality of Razgrad – Historical Museum, AR “Abritus”, Varosha quarter, The Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators, Voinishki Monument, Clock Tower, the mosque “Ibrachim Pasha”, etc.

THREE ITINERARIES OF SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED, WHICH EFFECTIVELY UNITE ALL PRESENT TYPES OF TOURISTIC RESOURCES LIKE ETHNO-, CULTURAL-, HISTORICAL-, ARCHEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO REVITALIZE SMALL MARGINALIZED VILLAGES IN THE THREE MUNICIPALITIES.

50 51

MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH

7400 Isperih,2 “Dunav” Str.,Tel.: +359 8431/20-06 www.isperih.bgwww.museumisperih.com

This document was prepared within the project “Isperih-Razgrad-Popovo: A road of ancient cultures and traditions” realized with the financial support of “Operational Program Regional Development” 2007-2013 co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. The whole responsibility for the content of the publication is taken by the Municipality of Isperih and it cannot be considered under any circumstances that this document reflects the official position of

the European Union and the Managing Unit.

MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO7800 Popovo,1 “Alexander Staboliiski” Str., Tel.: +359 60840021 www.popovo.bgwww.museumpopovo.com

MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD

7200 Razgrad,37A “Beli Lom” Blvd., P.B. 88Tel.: +359 84660091, +359 84660092 www.razgrad.bgwww.abritvs.atspace.com