Bulgarian Regions
Vratza region
Vratza Region is situated in the eastern part of Northwestern Bulgaria. It is bounded by the regions of Montana, Lovech, Pleven and Sofia. To the north it borders the Danube, hence Romania. The territory of the region covers part of the Danubian plain and parts of the Balkan Mountains. The Ogosta, Skat and Iskar rivers cross the region. The international highway Central Europe-Krajowa -Vidin-Sofia-Kulata-Thessalonica passes through Vratza Region too. The Iskar gorge connects the region to the lands situated south to the Balkan Mountains. The first nuclear power plant on the Balkans was built on the bank of the Danube, in the town of Kozlodui. With its diverse, unique and beautiful nature Vratza Region offers great opportunities for tourism - amateur, ecological, rural, hunting, cave tourism and alpinism. Among the protected areas are the Vratza Balkan, Nature Park, Vratza Karst Reserve, Ledenika Cave, Skaklya waterfall, Vratzata gorge of the Leva River, Bozhi Most (God's bridge), a cliff bridge near the village of Lilyache, Ritlite cliff formations near Lyutibrod village, the 15 venerable oaks called Kitkata near Byala Slatina, Vola peak (Kamata) - the place where Hristo Botev (one of the famous bulgarian patriots) found his death.There are a lot of archeological and historic monuments in the region. Of particular value are treasures masterpieces of Thracian art. Vratza treasure of the 4th century BC was discovered on the Mogilan hill in Vratza. Near the village of Rogozen in 1986 a treasure dated back to the 4th-5th centuries BC was uncovered, which belonged to a Thracian notable family - the biggest treasure ever found. In includes 165 items made of massive silver with gilt. On the Borovan hill there are remains of an ancient Thracian fortress. The monasteries offer unique environment of peace and serenity - the Cherepish Monastery, Strupesh Monastery, the Monastery of Archangel Michail near the village of Dolna Beshovitsa, etc. Bakev's Path memorial complex is another unique site. It is a 120 km long path starting from the legendary Radetzky steamboat to the place where Botev, Bulgaria's poet and revolutionist, found his heroic death.