Located in a valley nestled in the slopes of the southern Rhodope Mountains, the village of Satovcha is an appealing destination for tourism all year round. The village lies 28 km to the northeast of the town of Gotse Delchev. Evidence that life in this haven is not fading are its four schools with more than 500 pupils. Agriculture continues to be one of the main occupations of the locals, as families make their living by growing tobacco and potatoes. Moreover, the village and its vicinity offer pleasant surprises to the lovers of rural and environmental tourism.

The majestic coniferous and mixed forests represent the area’s key natural resource. Some of them cover the reserve of Konski Dol and the Manastirishte protected area both suitable for hiking during the warmer months of the year. There is no shortage of heritage sites in the vicinity of Satovcha. Of them we cannot but mention the ancient Thracian settlements and necropolis surviving since the Classical Antiquity that have provided valuable objects to the National Museum of History related to the lifestyle and culture of the local people centuries BC. The eight quite well preserved stone bridges in the village are dated to the Roman era. There is evidence that in 1207 along one of them the body of Tsar Kaloyan - one of the greatest Bulgarian rulers - was transported en route from Thessaloniki to the city of Veliko Tarnovo.

Satovcha has its own favorite among natural and historical landmarks. This is the rock arch, which since time immemorial has been known with the name Provirachkata. The Municipality of Satovcha hopes that it will be included in the Bulgarian Tourist Union’s campaign 100 natural phenomena of Bulgaria. Satovcha people say that Provirachkata deserves special attention because of its miraculous powers. According to legend, this place is holy, because it has always attracted people coming here for healing various illnesses. The patients should squeeze through the hole in the rock, then take off their clothes and leave the place with new ones. It is believed that with the old clothes they abandon their suffering, and by throwing a stone behind their backs, they would never come back struck by disease. 

Excellent conditions for recreation are available in the two local hotels as well as in the tourist facility in the area Pletena Chark. However, the most precious resource of the Municipality of Satovcha are its people. They are kind-hearted, friendly and welcoming, typical inhabitants of the Rhodopes. Hard work makes them strong and their cultural traditions give them motivation to protect and love their native land. Dr. Arben Mimenov has been Mayor of Satovcha for a third term in a row. He says he takes pride in the people of the village and especially in the young ones. He explains that every year, many of them enroll in universities. Local government supports them any way it could, and the mayor personally meets with high school graduates in the municipality.

"All this is necessary for the future of young people", says Dr. Mimenov. "We provide them with information and are always ready for help. It is noteworthy also that the village is tidy, clean and with good maintenance, but we want to make it even better. Our ambition is great. Recently we started the implementation of a rural development project, which is worth in excess of 12 million euro. Funding will be used for the replacement of the entire infrastructure around the village: roads, water supply, sewerage, so that the place can become more attractive for tourists. In the pavilions where people often go for picnics on sunny days one can find salt, firewood and even utensils for cooking. We enjoy seeing these places always busy, especially in summer. Families come with their cars and stay for days in tents near the water and the beauty of the Rhodope Mountains."

English version: Daniela Konstantinova