Only a decade ago some of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria were hard to reach. Trigrad with the Yagodinska and Devil’s Throat Caves, our southern Black sea coast further down from Sinemoretz, the Osogovo Mountain at the border with Macedonia, etc. - all of them were closed for tourists.
Without having been confined within the boundaries of a national park or natural reserve, today the Osogovo Mountain is just like one - an unspoiled piece of Bulgarian nature. Mysterious and enigmatic, it displays its beauties to curious tourists seeking new adventures. Encouraged by such tourist interest, the “Osogovo” firm together with the Bulgarian Tourist Union, Kjustendil Municipality and “Cartography” - Sofia initiated the tracing of mountain routes and issuing a map. The Osogovo Mountain and its lay are suitable mostly for pedestrian tourism; hence the producing of a route map is a key activity in the common efforts. It is expected that already in 2006 tourists shall be able to use 6 marked pedestrian routes, mapped out in the Osogovo Mountain tourist map. Names in the map shall also be written in Latin, as well as the information boards and route pointers. In March 2006 the idea came up to make a thorough map of the Osogovo Mountain since its larger part lies in fact in the Republic of Macedonia. The “Osogovo” firm has good relations with the “Ruen” mountain company in Kriva Palanka. They organize joint annual tourist meetings on the Ruen mountain top. At one such meeting it has been decided to continue with the mapping out of routes over to the territory of Macedonia.
The Osogovo Mountain has not been well-studied or cultivated. It has neither chalets and hotels, nor excavated historic or cultural findings. Its lay is suitable for pedestrian tourism mainly. The only popular place nearby is the town of Kjustendil, known in Bulgaria as the “cherry paradise”.
In order to reach Osogovo from Sofia you first head south-west, direction Pernik, and then continue on route E 871 towards Kjustendil. The town is at the foot of the mountain and some of its residential quarters are literally creeping up the mountain slopes. Apart from its cherries, Kjustendil can also be proud of its cultural and historic sites. The “Pirgova” Tower is in the town center and the St. George church - in the “Kolusha” quarter. Nearby is the Zemenski Monastery, named after the Zemen village, as well as the Skakavitza waterfall. The place also boasts with its mineral springs, gushing out with a capacity of 32 l/s. People here are aware that the town’s development depends primarily on tourism and balneology. There are ideas to consolidate the fruit-growing lands, namely the cherry, apple and peaches ones, and start up an eco fruit production business. In the region one can also find the “Osogovo” state game-breeding station where deer, wild boars and small game is bred. The tourist prices here are much lower compared to those in other regions in the country.
It takes only 15-20 minutes to reach one of the best hotels in the region of Kjustendil. The grass growing by the meandering road going up the mountain is interspersed with wild poppies, primroses and daisies that make the hidden glades particularly charming.
Almost forgotten and hardly visited until recently, the Osogovo Mountain now makes the visitor feel like a true discoverer. Here you won’t find board signs on trees, directing you to the nearest chalet or natural landmarks; neither will you meet people, nor will you have a final travel destination - only pure relaxation and long strolls out in the wild and beautiful nature. You can also choose to head for the “Osogovo” chalet, one of the two chalets in the whole region, and then from it continue on deep into the heart of the mountain. The Ruen mountain top is only 15 km away, so is the border with Macedonia. From the chalet the path turns right and then gets lost amid a green sea of beeches and oaks where the forest is thickly overgrown with flowers and grass, sun rays play over lush meadows, lily-of-the-valleys hide in cool fresh shadows and the path itself threads through the forest like a needle on an old tapestry. If you take this path it will take you down and soon you’ll find yourself out of the tree tunnel into the open space. Far away ahead over the Macedonian border lie the undulating outlines of violet hills. The ridge is flecked with pine trees and low alders. From this point on the path splits in three and starts descending. There is complete silence and the loneliness is more than one could bear…You would hardly meet anybody around on your way to and back from the chalet.
Once you know the path, on your way back you can fully enjoy the charm of a forgotten mountain which has preserved everything the way it used to be - unspoiled by construction works, rough and massive human activity - a pure ecosystem. Back in the Osogovo chalet, you can also take a final look at the St. Peter and Paul chapel, built with the help of the local tourist association. The chapel offers peace for one’s thoughts and prayers. One such prayer could be that this land remains pure and unspoiled the way it is.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Osogovo Region
Tourist offer
The natural rarities, the cultural heritage and the folklore culture are significant fundament for development of the alternative forms of tourism in Osogovo. The region disposes with rich archeological deposits, churches, monasteries, rural places with specific ethnology, folklore customs and recognizable rich national kitchen.
This region is suitable for development of the following types of tourism: winter-sports, mountainous, spa and monastery, with a special accent of the conditions for development of the rural tourism.
SRC Ponikva
One of the 34 winter tourist centers designed in the spatial plan of Republic of Macedonia, on 1670 meters above sea level. It is placed in an area with dense beech wood, rich vegetation and takes especially important place in the development of tourism and the general development of the Osogovo region.
Besides a weekend settlement it also offers an accommodation in several motels and child’s resort with 220 beds.
As separate tourist attraction is the reservation for game which offers an opportunity for hunting deers, fawns, boars, mouflons and there are also private capacities for accommodation.
Mountain’s lanes
The Osogovo region offers extraordinary conditions for tracing skiing and mountainous lanes. To the highest parts of Osogovo (Ruen 2252m), can be reached from several directions.
The one is through Kriva Palanka-Toranica, the second one is Ponikva-Carev Peak (2085m).
There are also a lot of other mountainous lanes as the lane from Kriva Palanka to Ponikva.
One of the most attractive and vivid lanes is the lane M4. This mountainous lane is an integral part of the international network of mountainous lanes.
Kuklica Locality
This locality is one of the most attractive of this kind in Europe. The geological forms and the forming of the dolls were created millions years before. Besides the stone dolls in this area a fossil relics of dendron flora were found, similar as the ones at the Geo Park on the Lezbos Island (R. Greece) known in the whole world.
Lesnovski Crater
The stormy volcanic activity in this part of Osogovo region had left many relics of craters, among which the most impressive is the Lesnovski Crater. It is one of the most kept and characteristic craters on the Balkan Peninsula.
With its extraordinary natural rarity, it has been proclaimed as monument of nature and it is set on the list of geological rarities in Republic of Macedonia.
Cocev Stone locality
One of the most monumental archeological localities in the region, where the paleolith deposit is placed from before 20.000 years
In the time of the neolith a settlement was developed on this locality. Characteristic discovered object on this locality is the neolith spoon and more fragments of goddesses.
In the time of the bronze period there was a sanctuary dedicated to the wine and the God Dionis. On the west side of the rock for the first time in Republic of Macedonia had been discovered rock art, painting with red colour from before 25.000 years.
Rock art
The rock art is a base of the ethnological, artistic, historical, paleographical and also religious and philosophical heritage of Republic of Macedonia, and the world civilization as whole. In Osogovo we see rock gravures of all stylistic natures. There isn’t a form of rock gravure made in any point on the planet which hasn’t got an analogy in the rock gravures from Osogovo. For the first time in Macedonia and the Balkan a picture of rock art has been discovered in the place Cocev Stone.
The richness of rock art in Osogovo was the reason that the Institute for sustainable communities from USA has financed the construction of the first reservation of rock art built in the Kratovo region.
Osogovo where the first rock gravure on the Balkan has been discovered is proud also for the fact that UNESCO has supported the initiative for construction of monumental museum of rock art.
St. Gavril Lesnovski Monastery
One of the most important cultural-historical monuments in Macedonia the monastery St. Gavril Lesnovski is placed in Lesnovo village (Probistip Municipality). The end of
X th and XI th century is the time when the anchoret Gavril Lesnovski lived in memory of whom the monastery was built.
The monastery was restored in 1341 on the foundations of the church from XIth century.
One of the biggest values of Lesnovo monastery is the fresco painting.
This monastery is one of the highest valued literature centers.
St. Joakim Osogovski monastery
Placed at 3km from Kriva Palanka; it’s on 825 km above sea level. It was built on relics of ancient church which dates from XI th century. The monastery captures you with its spiritual, architectural and art value. Beside the hospices there are also two churches in the monastery complex dedicated to St. Joakim Osogovski and St. Mother of God, bell tower with common cemetery in the foundations, building for cross passing, tourist building, summer garden and kitchen, new guest house and residence of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
In the several monastery complexes there are also around 120 beds for accommodation.
St. Pantelejmon monastery
A significant monument of culture (which values are under the protection of the state)
It is placed 12km from the town of Kocani. In the frames of the monastery complex according to the building, the icons and the rest values, the most ancient is the monastery church St. Mother of God. From the kept inscriptions above the back entrance door it can be seen that it was built in 1872. Right next to the church St. Mother of God the big church was built in 1875 dedicated to St. Pantelejmon.
Other localities
Especially characteristic are the landscape junctures in the mountainous part with areas of dense beech wood, many sources of clean water, wood fruits and salubrious plants.
Several many-century trees are evidenced in the region: the ancient pines in Kratovo (around the year of 330). Six-century mulberry in the circle of Lesnovo monastery, chestnut old around 700 years in Kratovo, ancient oak in the area of Kocani (Beli village) and the ancient gaber on Ponikva.
Characteristic volcanic balls can also be seen on several locations.
The natural rarities, the cultural heritage and the folklore culture are significant fundament for development of the alternative forms of tourism in Osogovo. The region disposes with rich archeological deposits, churches, monasteries, rural places with specific ethnology, folklore customs and recognizable rich national kitchen.
This region is suitable for development of the following types of tourism: winter-sports, mountainous, spa and monastery, with a special accent of the conditions for development of the rural tourism.
SRC Ponikva
One of the 34 winter tourist centers designed in the spatial plan of Republic of Macedonia, on 1670 meters above sea level. It is placed in an area with dense beech wood, rich vegetation and takes especially important place in the development of tourism and the general development of the Osogovo region.
Besides a weekend settlement it also offers an accommodation in several motels and child’s resort with 220 beds.
As separate tourist attraction is the reservation for game which offers an opportunity for hunting deers, fawns, boars, mouflons and there are also private capacities for accommodation.
Mountain’s lanes
The Osogovo region offers extraordinary conditions for tracing skiing and mountainous lanes. To the highest parts of Osogovo (Ruen 2252m), can be reached from several directions.
The one is through Kriva Palanka-Toranica, the second one is Ponikva-Carev Peak (2085m).
There are also a lot of other mountainous lanes as the lane from Kriva Palanka to Ponikva.
One of the most attractive and vivid lanes is the lane M4. This mountainous lane is an integral part of the international network of mountainous lanes.
Kuklica Locality
This locality is one of the most attractive of this kind in Europe. The geological forms and the forming of the dolls were created millions years before. Besides the stone dolls in this area a fossil relics of dendron flora were found, similar as the ones at the Geo Park on the Lezbos Island (R. Greece) known in the whole world.
Lesnovski Crater
The stormy volcanic activity in this part of Osogovo region had left many relics of craters, among which the most impressive is the Lesnovski Crater. It is one of the most kept and characteristic craters on the Balkan Peninsula.
With its extraordinary natural rarity, it has been proclaimed as monument of nature and it is set on the list of geological rarities in Republic of Macedonia.
Cocev Stone locality
One of the most monumental archeological localities in the region, where the paleolith deposit is placed from before 20.000 years
In the time of the neolith a settlement was developed on this locality. Characteristic discovered object on this locality is the neolith spoon and more fragments of goddesses.
In the time of the bronze period there was a sanctuary dedicated to the wine and the God Dionis. On the west side of the rock for the first time in Republic of Macedonia had been discovered rock art, painting with red colour from before 25.000 years.
Rock art
The rock art is a base of the ethnological, artistic, historical, paleographical and also religious and philosophical heritage of Republic of Macedonia, and the world civilization as whole. In Osogovo we see rock gravures of all stylistic natures. There isn’t a form of rock gravure made in any point on the planet which hasn’t got an analogy in the rock gravures from Osogovo. For the first time in Macedonia and the Balkan a picture of rock art has been discovered in the place Cocev Stone.
The richness of rock art in Osogovo was the reason that the Institute for sustainable communities from USA has financed the construction of the first reservation of rock art built in the Kratovo region.
Osogovo where the first rock gravure on the Balkan has been discovered is proud also for the fact that UNESCO has supported the initiative for construction of monumental museum of rock art.
St. Gavril Lesnovski Monastery
One of the most important cultural-historical monuments in Macedonia the monastery St. Gavril Lesnovski is placed in Lesnovo village (Probistip Municipality). The end of
X th and XI th century is the time when the anchoret Gavril Lesnovski lived in memory of whom the monastery was built.
The monastery was restored in 1341 on the foundations of the church from XIth century.
One of the biggest values of Lesnovo monastery is the fresco painting.
This monastery is one of the highest valued literature centers.
St. Joakim Osogovski monastery
Placed at 3km from Kriva Palanka; it’s on 825 km above sea level. It was built on relics of ancient church which dates from XI th century. The monastery captures you with its spiritual, architectural and art value. Beside the hospices there are also two churches in the monastery complex dedicated to St. Joakim Osogovski and St. Mother of God, bell tower with common cemetery in the foundations, building for cross passing, tourist building, summer garden and kitchen, new guest house and residence of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
In the several monastery complexes there are also around 120 beds for accommodation.
St. Pantelejmon monastery
A significant monument of culture (which values are under the protection of the state)
It is placed 12km from the town of Kocani. In the frames of the monastery complex according to the building, the icons and the rest values, the most ancient is the monastery church St. Mother of God. From the kept inscriptions above the back entrance door it can be seen that it was built in 1872. Right next to the church St. Mother of God the big church was built in 1875 dedicated to St. Pantelejmon.
Other localities
Especially characteristic are the landscape junctures in the mountainous part with areas of dense beech wood, many sources of clean water, wood fruits and salubrious plants.
Several many-century trees are evidenced in the region: the ancient pines in Kratovo (around the year of 330). Six-century mulberry in the circle of Lesnovo monastery, chestnut old around 700 years in Kratovo, ancient oak in the area of Kocani (Beli village) and the ancient gaber on Ponikva.
Characteristic volcanic balls can also be seen on several locations.
Nice villa-house
Nice villa-house located at the foot of Osogovo mountain in the nice and calm village.This is two storey villa-house situated at the foot of Osogovo mountain in the nice and calm village. It is close to the town of Kyustendil – only 10 km. There are several food shops, nice traditional restaurant and regular bus line to the nearby town. The property has got access from 2 streets. It briefly comprises of 110 sq.m. of living area, distributed in the following manner: First floor contains two rooms, bathroom-WC and a storage room. On the second floor there are two bedrooms with living room, kitchen and a terrace . 2 000 sq m planted garden. The walls are plastered and window woodwork. There is electricity and running water in the house. The property is in very good condition and is perfect for holiday house. This property is based in Region of Kyustendil in south- western Bulgaria part of Bulgaria. Situated at the foot of the Ossogovska Mountain, Kyustendil (ancient Pautalia) is one of Bulgaria's best known spa resorts. The climate is temperate continental with a Mediterranean influence. Mountains, and pine-tree forests surround the area and create excellent conditions for tourism and sports. 10 kilometers from Kyustendil in Osogovo mountains there is ski sloop with exelent conditios. At the moment second ski sloop has been developing with expectation Kyustendil to become one of the major ski resorts in the country with high investment potential. The town is close to the capital Sofia and enjoys the convenience of fast communications. The Kyustendil area is close to other ski resorts- only an hour drive from Sofia( Vitosha mountain), an hour drive from Borovets, and hour and a half drive from Bansko.
(Щракнете върху снимката за голям размер)
(Щракнете върху снимката за голям размер)
Borovets
The oldest Bulgarian winter resort is Borovets with a history from 1896! Today Borovets is the biggest and most modern resort in Bulgaria. It is situated on the conterminous Borovets col and on the northern slopes of the Mousala ridge in the eastern part of Rila Huddled in venerable pine woods 1390 meters above the sea level (with highest pistes at 2600 m)makes it a perfect place for relax and recreation.
The climate is also considered to be healthy. The winter in the resort is mild and of course with loads of snow! The average temperature during the coldest month January is 4.8ºC. Usually the slopes of Borovets have snow cover from mid December till April. The air in Borovets is clear, free of any pollutants.
Borovets is also easy accessible- 12 kilometers long first class road connects it with Samokov; Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) is just 72 kilometers away. There is a regular bus transport as for Samokov every 30 minutes.
The real charm of Borovets can be felt during the winter. It is then when the harmony with the nature is complete.
The excellent equipment for ski sports attracts thousands of mountain lovers from Bulgaria and from foreign countries. They can use the 45 kilometers various in difficulty and length ski pistes grouped in three regions: Sitnqkovo – Martinovi Baraki – pistes; Markudjik- 4 pistes and Qstrebec- 3 pistes. The pistes on Qstrebets are the best- and all of the competitions in the resort are taking place there! The resort is a regular host of various winter sports competitions. It has twice hosted World Cup competitions in Alpine skiing. Its biathlon track is one of the best in Europe.
Borovets was developed into a modern ski resort of high class with luxury hotels, restaurants, discos, shops and a good choice of pistes and lifts.
Borovets is a resort of Alpine type and provides very good conditions for snow sports during the winter: skiing, night- skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski jumps and biathlon, ski-doo, in the resort, etc.
There are available ski runs for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers, designed with international markings and multilingual signs. Pistes are bashed and maintained to the high standard.
The ski runs of Borovets are located in three different regions. Cross-country and biathlon tracks are located 2 km away from the resort together with the cross-country tuition tracks.
Borovets ski centre is serviced by well organized lift system, inclusive Gondola lift.
14 snow cannons for artificial snow are installed to guarantee the snow cover if needed. Read more about this facility here . The Borovets ski school has been known as one of the best in Bulgaria.
There are more than 200 ski instructors fluent in foreign languages and some of them are former professional skiers. We have received hundreds of positive comments from tourists who used their services.
There are ski and snowboard rental services around the Gondola lift station, but we strongly recommend you book your holiday with us and take advantage of our low prices comparing to those on spot in the resort.
Mountain rescue service is available 24 hours a day.
The climate is also considered to be healthy. The winter in the resort is mild and of course with loads of snow! The average temperature during the coldest month January is 4.8ºC. Usually the slopes of Borovets have snow cover from mid December till April. The air in Borovets is clear, free of any pollutants.
Borovets is also easy accessible- 12 kilometers long first class road connects it with Samokov; Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria) is just 72 kilometers away. There is a regular bus transport as for Samokov every 30 minutes.
The real charm of Borovets can be felt during the winter. It is then when the harmony with the nature is complete.
The excellent equipment for ski sports attracts thousands of mountain lovers from Bulgaria and from foreign countries. They can use the 45 kilometers various in difficulty and length ski pistes grouped in three regions: Sitnqkovo – Martinovi Baraki – pistes; Markudjik- 4 pistes and Qstrebec- 3 pistes. The pistes on Qstrebets are the best- and all of the competitions in the resort are taking place there! The resort is a regular host of various winter sports competitions. It has twice hosted World Cup competitions in Alpine skiing. Its biathlon track is one of the best in Europe.
Borovets was developed into a modern ski resort of high class with luxury hotels, restaurants, discos, shops and a good choice of pistes and lifts.
Borovets is a resort of Alpine type and provides very good conditions for snow sports during the winter: skiing, night- skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, ski jumps and biathlon, ski-doo, in the resort, etc.
There are available ski runs for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers, designed with international markings and multilingual signs. Pistes are bashed and maintained to the high standard.
The ski runs of Borovets are located in three different regions. Cross-country and biathlon tracks are located 2 km away from the resort together with the cross-country tuition tracks.
Borovets ski centre is serviced by well organized lift system, inclusive Gondola lift.
14 snow cannons for artificial snow are installed to guarantee the snow cover if needed. Read more about this facility here . The Borovets ski school has been known as one of the best in Bulgaria.
There are more than 200 ski instructors fluent in foreign languages and some of them are former professional skiers. We have received hundreds of positive comments from tourists who used their services.
There are ski and snowboard rental services around the Gondola lift station, but we strongly recommend you book your holiday with us and take advantage of our low prices comparing to those on spot in the resort.
Mountain rescue service is available 24 hours a day.
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