Srednogorie is a system of beautiful mountain massifs extending south of the Stara Planina mountain range that divides Bulgaria from the west to the east. The area is full of picturesque villages and opportunities for walking tours in the unspoiled nature of the mountains.

Unfortunately, this region, which provides good opportunities for relaxation and tourism, is not well-known by Bulgarian and foreign tourists. Recently, three municipalities in the Srednogorie region joined forces to attract more visitors. For this purpose local administrations have developed and implemented a project entitled "Srednogorie – promoting a regional tourist product and destination marketing of Mirkovo, Chavdar and Zlatitsa" with the financial support of the Regional Development OP. We learn more about the project from coordinator Dimo Todorov in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

"The project includes three municipalities - Mirkovo, Chavdar and Zlatitsa, as we have aimed at making tourists acquainted with little known facts. We want to put an end to the transit passing on the road south of the Balkan linking Sofia and Burgas. Some of the people traveling on the road visit the famous town of Koprivshtitsa but do not know about the abundance of tourist sites in the region.”

The archaeological park of "Topolnitsa" in the Chavdar municipality causes interest among visitors, who can see an exhibition of an early Neolithic settlement and a workshop for ceramic and stone goods. Guests can even spend the night in specially recreated for the purpose models of Neolithic dwellings. In the municipality of Zlatitsa tourists can see a clock tower dating back to 1777, which is 17 meters high, and the monument of the April Uprising in the "Boishteto" area. "We aim at encouraging walk tours in the region,” Mr. Todorov says and adds:

"We have been developing opportunities for rural, ecological and archaeological tourism. There are ruins dating back to the times of Ottoman rule, as well as ancient Roman fortresses. Tourists can also see an ancient Roman road, too. We have been preparing packages offering tourists the opportunity to experience the authentic conditions in local villages. We expect tourists coming by car, as well as hikers walking along the mountain ridge. Our municipalities are on the path of the Trans-European walking trail ending at Emine Cape at the Black Sea. A number of tourists spend nights in the huts of the local municipalities. We have been expecting also people who want to learn more about the history and geography of Bulgaria,” Dimo Todorov says in conclusion.

English: Alexander Markov