On Tourism Day, Bulgaria is celebrating 128 years since the start of the organized tourist movement in the country. As is the tradition, the celebrations are taking place on Mount Vitosha, the mountain closest to the capital city Sofia, where the first organized climb of Cherni Vrah peak(1,290 m.) took place on 27 August, 1895. The climb of Vitosha’s highest peak came after the publication of a feuilleton addressed “to the lovers of Bulgarian nature in Sofia” by writer, prominent public figure, and founder of the organized tourist movement in this country Aleko Konstantinov, known as Shtastlivetsa (lucky man). 

• Still following in the Lucky Man’s footsteps

The celebrations on Cherni Vruh peak will be given the official start at 11.45 this morning with the award ceremony of the winners of Vitosha Run, 2023 – the mountain run from the National Palace of Culture in the centre of Sofia to Cherni Vruh peak.

• Vitosha Park – 85 years on and still a favourite getaway

This summer, the mountain lifts on Mount Vitosha are working every weekend, weather conditions allowing.

More:

• Vitoshko Lale bike route - a new challenge for mountain bikers
• Aleko Konstantinov House-Museum marks its 95th anniversary
• Bulgaria marks 125 years of organized tourist movement
• An inflow of holidaymakers to the mountains in the unbearable heat

Compiled by Yoan Kolev

Translated and posted by Milena Daynova