PRD

OPERATIONAL PROGRAM
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2007-2013
Investing in Your Future!
The project is financed by the European Regional Development Fund
and by the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria
TOURIST DESTINATION
ISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO:
A road of ancient cultures and traditions
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AGREEMENT FOR PROVISION OF FREE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
BG161PO001/3.2-03/2012/001/20.02.2013
EUROPEAN REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT FUND
European Union
CONTENTS
TOURIST GUIDE
MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH 4
National historical and archeological
preserve Sboryanovo 4
Thracian king tomb near Sveshtari village 6
Ethnographic collection Sveshtari village 7
The Gold of the Gets in the Mound of Omurtag 8
A chariot pulled by two horses 8
Another artifact 9
Demir Baba Khanqah 10
The sanctuary Kamen rid 12
Get capitol Helis 13
Byiven Kasaba area 14
Historical Museum 14
Ethnographic house 16
The Wind Mill in Belintsi village 17
The House with Woodcarvings in Malak Porovets Village 18
Medieval Fortress The Castle 18
Monument of Khan Aspharuh 19
MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO 20
Historical Museum in the town of Popovo 20
Orthodox church temple Sveti Arhangel Mihail 21
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale from the late-Raman period 21
Thracian tomb mound 22
Fortress Dobroselsko Kale 23
Kapanski architectural and ethnographic complex 24
Hill Kerchana near Aprilovo village 25
Parks, water and fish reservoirs, tourist and hunting cabins 26
Healing holy spring with a chapel in Zvezda village 26
Eminence Kalakotch 28
Eco path The Big River 28
Reservoir Kavatsite 29
MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD 30
Archeological preserve Abritus and
Historical Museum Razgrad 30
Varosha quarter 32
Ethnographic Museum 32
House Museum Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi 32
House Museum of the composer Dimitar Nenov 33
House Museum of Ananie Yavashov 33
Temple Sveti Nikolay Chudotvorets 34
Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov 34
Ibrachim Pasha mosque 35
The Clock Tower 36
Momina Cheshma (Maidens Fountain) 37
Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators 37
Ethnographic Complex Pobit Kamak village 38
Ethnographic Complex Topchii village 38
Recreational area Pchelina 39
TOURIST PACKAGES AND ITINERARIES
OF DESTINATION ISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO:
ROAD OF ANCIENT CULTURES
AND TRADITIONS 40
National historical and archeological
preserve Sboryanovo
In the north-western part of the Ludogorsko Plateau, 6 km far from Isperih,
stands the historical and archeological preserve Sboryanovo. It was created
in 1988 and it has the status of a national monument of historical and cultural
heritage. It occupies a very large territory of 648 hectares, including 435 hectares
of forest terrain and 213 hectares of agricultural land, which are mainly state
property. The preserve keeps the unique cultural and historic heritage as the
total number of signifcant cultural items from different ages is above 140. The
area gained wide popularity under the name Stomogilieto (The area of 100
mounds) as 108 mounds were identifed in it. It attracts guests with the irresist-
ibly picturesque meanders of Krapinest River and the combination of natural
beauty and historical sites. The name of the area came from the fairs conducted
annually near the sanctuary of Demir Baba Khanqah situated near the big karst
spring Pette Prasta (Besh parmak). Remains from prehistoric and medieval
villages were found on both banks of the river, as well as late-antic fortresses.
Exceptionally impressive with their height and exquisite silhouette are the Thra-
cian sepulchral mounds on the sides of the road leading to Sboryanovo. These
monuments from Thracian times together with the famous Khanqah have been
attracting visitors and tourists toward this extremely rich of ancient artifacts area
in North-Eastern Bulgaria since the latest decades of 19th century. This was the
time when the Czech Karel Schkorpil, who is one of the founders of the Bulgar-
ian archeological science, visited the area and describes its historical sites. The
asphalt alley crosses the whole preserve and is used as a shortcut between the
two populated locations near the preserve the villages Sveshtari and Malak Po-
rovets. There is a small parking lot near the eastern mound necropolis. The pre-
serve Sboryanovo is accessible by following the road E-772 (Sofa-Varna) then
deviating to Targovishte and following second-class road crossing Razgrad, or
by deviating to Strajitsa crossing Popovo and Razgrad (105 km); by following the
road E-70 (Ruse-Varna) crossing Razgrad (40 km); by following the second-class
road Silistra-Shumen and deviating to Dulovo (40 km). Roads passing through
the villages Sveshtary (third-class) and Malak Porovets (second-class) connect
Isperih with Sboryanovo. At present the condition of the second-class and the
third-class roads is good. The preserve is also accessible by railroad transport
to Isperih. The closest airports are in Varna and Bucharest. Within the area of
the preserve is one of the nine Bulgarian objects of cultural, historic and natural
heritage with global importance The Thracian King Tomb near Sveshtari village.
The tomb is included in the list of UNESCO in 1985.
Municipality of Isperih is located in North-Easter Bulgaria and
is part of Razgrad District. The municipality consists of 24
populated locations. The administrative center is the town of
Isperih.
Address: National Historic and Archeological Preserve (NHAP)
Sboryanovo, between Malak Porovets village and Sveshtari village,
Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad District. National Historic and Archeological
Preserve is located in the north-west part of the Ludogorsko plateau, 6 km
away from Isperih.
Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum Isperih
Working hours: Accessible all the time in the year, a tour guide could be
used from Wednesday to Sunday between 09:00 and 17:00 h.
Days off: Monday and Tuesday
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH
BELINTSI
ISPERIH
MALAK
POROVETS
SVESHTARI
4 5
One of the most interesting objects on the territory of HAP Sbo-
ryanovo. At the beginning of the 80s of the 20
th
century under
mound 7 of the eastern mound necropolis was found the mas-
terpiece of the antic architecture included in the list of UNESCO
under No.359 as monument of worlds cultural and historical herit-
age. A Tomb of a Thracian King. For 30 years the archeological
examinations in Sboryanovo have been revealing one of the most
signifcant centers of the Thracian culture. The tomb was built in
the frst quarter of the 3
rd
century B.C. and is a unique monument
of the Thracian sepulchral architecture. Due to its remarkable ar-
chitecture and artistic decoration the Tomb of Sveshtari was in-
cluded in1985 in the list of UNESCO for worlds cultural heritage.
Its dimensions are impressive - 7.5 m length, 6.6 m width of the
faade, (inner) height of the tomb chamber 4.45 m. The tomb is
constructed of big limestone blocks and includes a dromos (cor-
ridor) and three chamber premises, each of them having separate
covered vault arch. The decoration of the tomb is in accord with
the Hellenistic culture of this time, but is altered to match the life
and beliefs of the Gets. This micro-area was center of the Thra-
cian tribe Gets and of their ruler Dromihet. After two decades of
preservation and restoration the visitors now have the opportunity
to touch the beauty of the fgures decorating the central chamber
in Ginina mound and the mastership of the ancient architects and
Thracian King Tomb near Sveshtari village
builders. The tomb of Sveshtari is preserved under a
special construction. Special climatic conditions are
supported by the construction in order to preserve
the monument from infuences of the environment. A
short exposition presenting the artifacts of the tomb
and the various methods of preservation and resto-
ration is housed under the same construction. Two
smaller tombs (mounds 12 and 13) of Get rulers and
aristocrats are situated in the vicinity of the Tomb of
Sveshtari. The center around the eastern mound ne-
cropolis is provided well with utilities and has an ac-
tive visitor information service. Permanent protective
cover is constructed only for the Thracian King Tomb
of Sveshtari while for the tombs in mounds 12 and 13
were constructed only temporary protective covers.
The tombs are accessible form Sveshtari village and
Malak Porovets village by following a well-maintained
asphalt road, crossing HAP Sboryanovo.
Ethnographic collection Coexistence of
Christians and Muslims in the Ludogorie
Area by the Historic Museum Isperih is
situated at the end of Sveshtary following a
deviation of the road leading to the preserve.
Ethnographic Collection
Sveshtari Village
Address: Sveshtari village, Municipality of Isperih, Ragrad District
Telephone: 084 313 735,
Historical Museum Isperih
Website: www.museumisperih.com,
www.getika.com
Address: On the territory of NHAP Sboryanovo
Telephone: 084 735 279, the Tomb of Sveshtari
Working hours: March 17 November 30
From Wednesday to Sunday 9:00 h to 17:00 h
Days off: Monday and Tuesday
From December 1 to March 17 the location is closed for tourists.
Website: www.museumisperih.com,
www.getika.com
6 7
In 2012 prof. Diana Gergova found the
Golden treasure of the Gets dated 4
th
century B.C. in the so called Mound
of Omurtag (a.k.a. the Great Mound of
Sveshtari). The treasure includes 264
golden ornaments with a total weight
of 1.8 kg. These were found in a cas-
ket with proportions 60 cm and 40 cm.
Among the artifacts are: a golden dia-
dem, 4 bracelets, a ring depicting the
head of Eros, dozens of buttons, rings
and ear-rings, the head of a tiny horse
intended to decorate the kings horse
harness. The following examinations
revealed that the casket full of orna-
ments belonged to the Thracian ruler
Kotela.
He ruled in the land of the Gets 25
centuries ago and became a relative
of the great Philip of Macedon by al-
lowing him to marry his daughter.
The discovery is a small piece from
the puzzle that turned the area of
Sveshtari village near Isperih into a
part of the worlds cultural and histori-
cal heritage.
The artifact reveals information for the magnifcent
burial ceremonies of the ancient Thracians. Accord-
ing to Gergova the burial is connected to the Big
Mound of Sveshtari and particularly with the burial
of the Get ruler Kotela, as the majority of the mounds
in the complex is connected to a central burial and
complement it with various animal sacrifces and al-
tars. The fnding also discloses important informa-
tion allowing reconstruction of the immortality ritual
in its fullness. This ritual was generally performed
by the tribe Gets and particularly performed in the
mound complex of the Great Mound in Sveshtari.
The chariot will be exhibited for the visitors at the
place where it was found.
The Gold of the Gets
in the Mound of
Omurtag
Another artifact
was found by the archeologist Prof. Diana Gergova in a mound
located in the vicinity of the Great Mound of Sveshtary. It is a
typical Get buried tomb that stands out with its massive stone
and oak beam revetment. The facility has a colored square altar-
eschara, ornamented with red, white and black paint and with
carved rosettes.
A second altar having truncated cone form was found in the
south-eastern corner of the tomb. Adornments, base of silver
cup, glass beads and many bronze fgures were found during the
excavation process, which hints that the burial is probably of a
female. It is possible that she performed some sacerdotal func-
tions as many magic items were found. It is the frst burial of its
kind on the territory inhabited by Gets and it casts light on the
question who was buried in such tombs. This burial was hiding
another mystery not present in the burial mounds of male priests.
A truncated pyramid accorded with the colored altar in the tomb
center was uncovered. It was a truncated pyramid made only of
smoothened clay. The question about the function of the second
altar still remains unanswered.
In November 2013 Prof. Diana Gergova found a
chariot pulled by two horses in a small mound
neighboring the Big Mound of Sveshtari near
Isperih. This is the third chariot of this kind in
Bulgaria, but it is the frst artifact of this kind
that was found on the territory of the Gets. The
animals skeletons are in standing position and
are well preserved as their bodies were special-
ly strengthened in the burial process.
A chariot pulled by two horses was found during excavation
works near Sveshtari
8 9
Demir Baba Khanqah was built at the beginning of the 17
th
century on a place that
was considered sacred by the tribes and people in this area for 2000-year period
before the construction. Only the turbe (tomb) of the Alian saint Demir Baba sur-
vived from all old-time buildings. The sacrifcial stone block at the entrance of the
inner yard of Demir Baba Khanqah is also preserved. The place is opened during
the whole year in daytime. The khanqah of the saint Demir Baba is certainly the
most charming among the numerous khanqahs in Bulgaria. This monument is
the last constructed cult building around the spring and stands in the heart of the
sacred Get land. The monument did not destroy the previous sanctuaries but in-
stead united their spirituality. The spring Pette Prasta (Five fngers) is a place for
ceremonial washing, donations and for drinking a sip of healing water. According
to the legend, during a great drought the saint pushed his fve fngers into a rock
and cold healing water sprung underneath it. The entrance of the khanqah lies on
an altar of the Thracian sanctuary dated thousand years B.C. The furrows drain-
ing the blood of the sacrifces are preserved until present day. A niche carved in
the wall collected the rays of the setting sun. The khanqah itself lies on other two
stone altars left from the previous Thracian sanctuary. The Thracian priests used
the steps carved in one of them to ascend for their rituals honoring the sun. At the
foundation of the stone step altar were found remains of small Thracian temple
which has not been exhibited, yet. The temple had an apse wall and three clay
altars with semi-spherical form (omfaloses). In the ancient world they represented
that the place was the center of the earth where spells and prophecies were made.
Two rectangular platforms for placing of gifts and a large Thra-
cian clay container were also part of the small Thracian temple.
The sanctuary was connected to the cult of the great goddess
Mother-Earth and Apolo and retained its signifcance in the fol-
lowing ages. During the Roman age it continued to function as
a sanctuary of the Thracian horse rider. It was not a coincidence
that the Bulagarian Alians coming from beyond the sea con-
structed Demir Baba Khanqah on top of the megalithic Thra-
cian altar. Carved architectural elements from earlier cult build-
ing and large stone blocks in the yard indicate that Bulgarian
Demir Baba Khanqah
pagans probably had their cult building here too. At the end of the 19
th
century
Schkorpil brothers saw a large stone cross with a second cross carved in it on the
hill near the khanqah. According to the legend the khanqah was built by Demir
Baba himself and being his ossuary-mausoleum distinguishes itself with the rare
heptagonal form. An astronomical examination indicated that the builder accu-
rately oriented it towards the rise of the sun touching with its lower side the horizon
during the summer solstice (in 1560 the solstice was on June 12 according to the
Julian calendar). In the sarcophagus large boots made of copper and zinc alloy
were placed at the position of the feet and many burning candles were placed at
the position of the head. As the candles were a symbol of the fre and the sun the
village is called Sveshtari. At present a walking path from the central meadow of
Sboryanovo to Demir Baba Khanqah has been constructed and the yard of Demir
Baba Khanqah has been provided with utilities in order to house a museum expo-
sition in the existing old building. This part of the preserve is also used for various
cultural events (festivals, fairs of national art, cultural customs), which complement
the attraction of Sboryanovo. It is accessible by an asphalt road, an alley and a
well-constructed stairway, which all start from the parking lot of Ahinora cabin in
Sboryanovo. It could be visited without tour guide (there are informational signs) or
with a tour guide from the Welcoming centre of the Tomb of Sveshtari.
Address: on the territory of NHAP Sboryanovo
Working hours: Accessible all the time in the year.
From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday Sunday
from 9:00 h to 17:00 h with a tour guide from the Tomb
of Sveshtary complex. The remaining period tour guide
available upon request to the museum or visitation with no
tour guide.
Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum Isperih
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
10 11
Kamen Rid Sanctuary
Is an important object in the preserve Sboryanovo. At the heart of the preserve
lays a big Thracian fortifed town. It is situated on a plateau surrounded from
three directions by a meander of the river. According to Prof. Totko Stoyanov
of Sofa University, who has been studying the towns centre, the fortifcation
system and its economical potential, as well as the monumental tombs in Sbo-
ryanovo for 27 years, the Get town could be identifed as Helis the residence
of Dromihait known from the ancient sources. A stone wall with length of 1400
m protected the towns central area of 100 decares. The contemporary road
follows the trace of the ancient one and passes before the southern fortress
wall, constructed of big limestone blocks, reaching the remains of a tower and
the southern main gate of the town. The import of quality wine, olive oil and
expensive table utensils is an evidence for the prosperity and the economical
viability of the Get elite inhabiting Sboryanovo during the age of Lizimach, who
was a successor of Alexander the Great in ancient Thrace. According to the
ancient authors, Lizimach was captured by the Get ruler during the war between
Lizimach and Dromihait and was transported to the capitol until the payment
of ransom of a great value. The object is accessible by using a well-maintained
asphalt road connecting the villages Malak Porovets and Sveshtari and crossing
the preserve. It could be visited separately (there are information sighs) or with a
tour guide from the Welcoming centre of The Tomb of Sveshtari.
The Get Capitol Helis
Address: on the territory of NHAP Sboryanovo
Working hous: Accessible all the time in the year.
From March 17 to November 30: Wednesday
Sunday from 9:00 h to 17:00 h with a tour guide
from the Tomb of Sveshtary complex. The remaining
period tour guide available upon request to the
museum or visitation with no tour guide.
Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum
Isperih
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
Address: on the territory of NHAP Sboryanovo
Working hous: Accessible all the time in the year. From March 17 to November 30:
Wednesday Sunday from 9:00 h to 17:00 h with a tour guide from the Tomb of
Sveshtary complex. The remaining period tour guide available upon request to the museum
or visitation with no tour guide.
Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum Isperih
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
Kamen Rid is a sanctuary from the early
Stone Age built from the Thracian tribe Gets
for the purposes of sacrifces honoring the
sun-god. At the beginning of the the 1
st
mil-
lenium B.C. the Gets started to offer sacrifces
to the sun-god on the bare plateau Kamen Rid
in Sboryanovo. The sanctuary was founded at
the dawn of the Iron Age and functioned for
7 centuries gradually taking its fnal form. Its
area is 47.5 decares wide and is encircled by
preserved 1-meter-high walls. The only en-
trance to the sacred territory is the southern
side where the remains of an ancient wall can
still be distinguished. Two big stone circles in
the north-western part mark the places where
the sacred actions were done. A big stone al-
tar is built in one of the circles. The location is
accessible by foot following a wide dirt road
starting from the parking lot of Achinora in
HAP Sboryanovo. It could be visited sepa-
rately or with a tour guide from the Welcoming
centre of the Tomb of Sveshtari.
12 13
is another interesting location on the territory of the
preserve. The early-medieval-period village in the area
Biyven Kasaba is an ensemble of living-, farm- and rep-
resentative buildings that were dug or partly dug into the
ground. The dug part of the buildings was faced with
stone while the above-the-ground part was probably
made of wood. The foundations of a small one-nave
chapel holding a bronze cross-reliquary were found dur-
ing examinations. The examinations of the area continue
and form the appearance of an early-medieval-period
estate dated 9
th
-11
th
century. Parts of the artifacts are
exhibited in Historical Museum Isperih.
The area Biyven Kasaba
Historical Museum Isperih provides
the maintenance, the presentation and
the popularization of the immovable cul-
tural heritage of HAP Sboryanovo and
also takes part in its examination. The
foundation of the District Archeological
Association Khan Omurtag in 1927 is
regarded to be the start of the museum
activity in Isperih. As years passed the
members of the association collected
a small heterogeneous collection of ar-
cheological artifacts.
Historical Museum
Telephone for the Permanent Exhibition and
Art Gallery (temporary exposition):
084 313 619; 084 312 516.
Telephone of administration: 084 314 783
Working hours: 8:30 h 17:00 h, days off
Saturday and Sunday;
June September no days off.
Website: www.museumisperih.com,
www.getika.com
In November 1975 the inhabitants and the
guests of the town had the opportunity to see
the collection when a permanent exhibition
was opened in the newly-constructed library
building.
Today the Historical Museum has the following divi-
sions: archeology, ethnography, new and modern
history, art, administration and economy, restora-
tion laboratory. The fund of the museum keeps over
4500 units. Locations: Permanent Exposition: Isperih,
Vassil Levski Str. in the building of the Cultural centre.
Address: on the territory of NHAP Sboryanovo
Working hours: Accessible all the time in the year. From
March 17 to November 30: Wednesday Sunday from
9:00 h to 17:00 h with a tour guide from the Tomb of
Sveshtary complex. The remaining period tour guide
available upon request to the museum or visitation with
no tour guide.
Telephone: 084 314 783, Historical Museum Isperih
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
14 15
It is located in the centre of the town of Isperih on 9
Stefan Kradja Street not far from the library. In the
past it was a Turkish town-hall and later a home of a
wealthy Bulgarian. In 1991 its restoration was com-
pleted and the house started to function as a muse-
um unit. Items and appliances from the everyday life
of the local population can be seen in it. The monthly
temporary exhibitions are devoted to various aspects
of the life and occupation of the population in the past
and to contemporary master craftsmen practitioners.
The Ethnographic house is a centre of the Maize Fair
conducted in October.
In Belintsi village, 15 km away from Isperih, is situated the Wind Mill,
which is immovable cultural object of value with local signifcance con-
structed entirely of wood at the beginning of the20th century. In it one can
see the grain milling process done by two millstones and can learn more
about the construction, the history and the importance of wind mills for
our region. The mill in Belintsi village is about 140 years old. It is movable
and can be moved to open and windy places after uninstallation. Initially
it was constructed and placed near Rozino village (Kara Mihal) in the area
of Razgrad. Later it was moved to the villages Vladimirovtsi and Pchelina
and eventually it was bought by the master miller Kasim Yaha Sadak from
Belintsi village. In his family the miller profession was passed by right of
succession from father to son. The mill was moved and mounted on its
current location in 1969. In 1972 it was put into practice and serviced the
population in the village and the whole area. Maize, wheat, barley, red
pepper and grits was milled there. It is an interesting place for visitation.
In 1987 the mill was proclaimed to be a monument of culture and since
then is maintained by Historical Museum Isperih. The basic parts and
mechanisms of the facility were replaced several times. The last thorough
maintenance was completed in the autumn of 2000. With a special ap-
proval of the ministry century-old trees in the Smyadovski Blakan were
cut for the preparation of basic beams and the mechanism of the mill.
The preparation of the parts to be put into the mill was made by hand by
Kasim and his son. At present the security and the maintenance of the
unit is realized by the son of the former owner Beyti Kasim Yaha, who is
also part of the personnel of Historical Museum Isperih.
Ethnographic house
Address: 9 Stefan Karadja Str.,
Isperih, Razgrad District
Telephone: 084 313 735
Working hours: 8:30 h. to 17:00 h.
Days off Saturday and Sunday,
June September no days off
Website: www.museumisperih.com,
www.getika.com
Address: Belintsi village, Municipality of Isperih, Razgrad
District
Telephone: 084 314 783; 084 313 660; 084 313 661
Working hours: 08:30 to 17:00 upon preliminary
request to Historical Museum Isperih.
Website: www.museumisperih.com, www.getika.com
Wind Mill in Belintsi Village
17 16
Address: Monument of Khan Aspharuh,
2 Dunav Str,
Isperih Razgrad District
Website: www.museumisperih.com,
www.getika.com
Medieval Fortress The Castle in
Malak Porovets Village stands on a
high southern hill upon the beautiful vil-
lage Malak Porovets. It is surrounded
by high cut stone walls with towers and
arrowslits just like those in the movies
and on historic places. The view from it
is impressive and matchless.
All inhabitants in the Municipality of Isperih and many of the visitors of
Isperih have seen the monumental construction Khan Aspharuh. It is
the only monument of such magnitude in Bulgaria depicting the founder
of our homeland. It was created by a group of artists including the sculp-
tor Vladimir Tsvetkov and the architect Stoyko Donchev. The sculptor
depicted the founder as a peaceful and wise leader. The concrete paths
form rays around the central fgure and symbolize the number of tribes
united by Aspharuh and forming the new nation. The construction with
the warriors has height of 3.40 m and the granite pedestal supporting the
monument of Aspharuh has height of 4 m. The whole monument rises
as high as 11.60 m. It was opened on October 16, 1981 with an offcial
ceremony for the 1300-year anniversary of the Bulgarian nation.
The hose with the woodcarvings is in Malak Porovets village (8 km away
from Isperih). It was built in 1954 by the original master woodcarver
Martin Petkov who spent 16 years of his life to turn the house into a
unique creation of human genius, of love and admiration to Bulgarian
spirit and traditions. Each room and its furniture (also creation of the
Master) is entirely decorated with exquisite woodcarvings and is the-
matically connected to separate ideas: Family Altar, The Room with
the Georgievski Cross, The
Room with the Twelve Apos-
tles, Throne Hall, Arabic
Room.
Medieval Fortress The Castle in Malak Porovets Village
House with Woodcarvings in Malak Porovets Village
Monument of Khan Aspharuh
Address: 60 Vassil Levski Str.,
Malak Porovets village, Municipality
of Isperih, Razgrad District
Address: 14 Scythe Str., Malak Porovets
village, Municipality of Isperih,
Razgrad District
19 18
Historical Museum Popovo
MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO
Orthodox Church Temple Sveti Arhangel
Michail in Popovo (the so called old church)
was built by the Christian inhabitants of Pop-
ovo with the support of Midhat Pasha and
the vali in Ruse in 1863 after a great argu-
ment. It was sanctifed in 1880. The temple
is restored to its current appearance in 1975.
During the communist regime it was con-
verted into a museum of the Russo-Turskish
War and after that into an icon gallery of the
museum. Restoration works followed again
in the year 2000 and for the frst time the
temples icons were restored turning it into an active church temple. It resem-
bles a complex from the National Revival period having a neat white church with
stone tiling, beautiful wall paintings, a bell tower, a stone brick wall and a quiet,
calm yard with vines, a fountain, fowers, memorial tablets and tombs of priests,
founders and Russian soldiers who fell during the battles near Svetlen village
(also called the small Shipka) in the summer of 1877. The church is maintained
by the priest who serves at the new church in the town.
Orthodox Church Temple
Sveti Arhangel Michail
The Late-Roman fortress Kovachevsko Kale has been a very interesting place
for the cherishers of culinary tourism for two decades. It is located about 7 km
west of Popovos centre in the vicinity of the contemporary road Popovo-Byala.
The fortress lies in a small valley formed by the infusion of the north-western
feeder Chepez Dere to Kovachevska River (Erek Dere). The town with the for-
tress wall was built between year 308 and year 324 during the joint ruling of the
emperors Litsinii I and Constantine I the Great. The fortress walls are 3.20 m
thick. The inner part of the town includes over 40 decares. The fortifying sys-
tem is provided with 17 protruding towers positioned symmetrically along the
Late-Roman Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
Address: 97 Bulgaria Blvd.,
Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Working hours: 8:00h to 12:00 h and 13:00 h to 17:00 h
from Monday to Friday. Every Thursday the exposition could
be visited free of charge.
Contact Phone: 0608 43 564; 0878 675 815 - Director
Offcial website of the museum:
www.museumpopovo.com
It was started as a library collection but received
the status of a municipal historical museum in
1991. The Present exhibition was opened on
March 2, 1995. It occupies an area of 350 square
meters. The museums fund includes around 30
000 units and only 2500 of them are part of the
exposition. The exposition was entirely refreshed
in the summer and autumn of 2013. The ethno-
graphic exposition From Popovo village to the
town of Popovo is arranged in another building
belonging previously to Mara Taseva, who was
hanged in 1942 for anti-fascist political activity.
The Paintings Art Gallery Cyril Mayski is housed
in another building of the museum.
The Municipality of Popovo is located in North-Eastern
Bulgaria and is part of Targovishte District.
The municipality includes 35 populated locations.
The administrative center is the town of Popovo.
Address: Arhangelska Str., Popovo
Contact phone: 0608 44 200 priests
ELENOVO
SADINA
ZAHARI STOYANOVO
GAGOVO
POPOVO
APRILOVO
ZVEZDA
DOLETS
OPAKA
GOLYAMO
GRADISHTE
BERKOVSKI
KOVACHEVETS
20 21
whole length of the wall. In the autumn of 2013 a newly
built visitor centre was opened near the fortress. A model
of the fortress and its multimedia presentation could be
seen in the centre. A museum collection of artifacts found
during archeological examinations is about to be opened
in the centre, too. The whole area west of the Kale is at present urbanized and
converted into a pleasant park with amphitheater and places for recreation for
the children and the grown-ups. The uncovered parts of the fortifying system of
the fortress are socialized and accessible for visitation and the visitors have the
chance to examine models of antic weaponry and siege equipment.
Thracian Tomb Mound near Gagovo village is 700 m north of the village center. It
is in the vicinity of the main road for the town of Opaka. It is accessible by a dirt
road. The mound is part of a necropolis comprising another two mounds in north
and north-east direction which are in the area of Opaka. Just before the signs of
Municipality Opaka on the road Gagovo-Opaka (road 202), a dirt road leading
to Cherni Lom River and the hills above it (north-east of road 202) reaches the
mound after 1 km distance. The mound was constructed under the order of high
Thracian Get nobleman at the end of the 4
th
century B.C. The mound is located in
the area of Gagovo village near the road to the town of Opaka. It is reachable by a
dirt road. The tomb was excavated
in 2009-2010 and is a monumen-
tal architectural complex includ-
ing two circular burial chambers, a
joint rectangular chamber dromos
(corridor) and one additional rec-
tangular chamber. The two circular
chambers share one connection
accessible by entrance covered
with a two-folding stone door. Each
of the two chambers have a sepa-
rate exit toward the joint pre-burial
chamber. Such a tomb with two-chamber architec-
tural design had never been found on the territory
of Bulgaria. Protection cover has been constructed
above the remains of the tomb in order to prevent
it from adverse atmospheric conditions. The loca-
tion has not been socialized for visitations yet, and
there is no organized tourist itinerary for it. How-
ever, the access to the mound is absolutely free.
Thracian Tomb Mound
The Roman fortress Dobroselsko Kale (Tashla
Yol Kale) or the Fortress of the stone road is
located 3.5 km west of Sadina. It stands at the
end of Sadina village area on a small natural
elevation resembling a mound, which is hidden
in a small valley near Zahari Stoyanovo village.
Probably an old Roman road crossed it in the past
and that is where its Turkish name come from.
The Dobrosel Gulch (Kodja Hende Dere) near this
small 2-decares fortress joins Malki (Mali) Lom
River. Karel Schkorpil saw part of fortress wall
remains during visitation of the fortress in 1891.
At present, the numerous treasure hunters holes
for coins dated to the time of Fillip II of Macedon
and the whole Roman and Byzantine Age uncover
separate parts of stone walls joined by white
mortar mixed with brick particles. An old brick
well in the highest part of the fortress has been
partly uncovered by treasure hunters. The area is
very beautiful. At the woody foot of the fortress
the locals have created a large and comfortable
picnic place with a cold water spring, benches
and a freplace.
Fortress Dobroselsko Kale
The working hours of the visitors
centre are in process of approval.
Address: 7km west of Popovo
Telephones: 0892 077 654; 0884 238 706
tour guides and animators; 0608 40 261,
Division Culture in the Municipality of Popovo
Website: www.kovachevskokale.bg,
www.popovo.bg
Address:
3.5 km west of sasina village,
Municipality of Popovo,
Razgrad District.
Telephone: 06036 2222;
0878 675 867 Mayors
Offce in Sadina village
Website:
http://selo.sadina.f11.us/;
www.popovo.bg
Telephone of Historic Museum Popovo:
0608 43 564; 0878 675 815 Director
Offcial website of the museum:
www.museumpopovo.com.
Website: www.popovo.bg
23 22
Address: Sadina village, Municipality
of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 06036 2222 -
Mayors Ofice of Sadina vilage,
0892 077 654 and 0608 40 261 -
Department Culture in the Municipality
of Popovo
Website: http://selo.sadina.f11.us/
The traditional house of Kapantsi was converted into Kapanski Architectural
and Ethnographic Complex devoted to the Kapantsi and their material and
spiritual culture in order to present this interesting ethnographic group from
North-eastern Bulgaria preserved to present day. The complex is a mixture
of traditional Kapanski style and modern facilities for recreation and relaxa-
tion. The complex includes a house with ethnographic exposition present-
ing the life and traditions of the Kapantsi. In its yard there are an open
stage, a barbecue, a well, a traditional stone fountain, a covered area with
an old-style shed and wooden tables and benches. The recreation build-
ing has two foors. The frst foor is provided with a modern kitchen with
cooking stove, coffee-machine, refrigerator, sink, ceramic utensils; a dining
room with a freplace; a separate bedroom furnished in traditional Kapanski
style and a corridor with a dressing room and a guestroom having 4 beds
and a separate dressing room. The second foor includes two rooms styled
like tourist bedrooms, each having 5 beds and a dressing room. There is an
option for organizing of events for the purposes of the complete recreation
of the guests. A variety of traditional Kpanski dishes and folklore animations
is available. The complex is maintained and hired by the mayors offce in
Sadina.
Kapanski Architectural and Ethnographic Complex
There is a woody hill called Kerchana or Kerchan Bair located 1 km north of
Aprilovo village and about 10 km south of the center of Popovo. It is located
in the so called Lomski south-east hills between the rivers Dermen Dere and
Gloginsko Dere (Kazalarsko Dere). Its highest point is 385 m and it gives a per-
fect view of several kilometers in distance as well as a view towards the valley
of Cherni Lom River. The southern rocky part of this hill is separated in two sub-
parts by a short gully. The almost obliterated ruins of the late-antic fortress The
Monastery (Kale Manastir) are located in the north-western part. At the foot of
the hill is the valley of Cherni Lom River. The area is famous with the last battle of
Tanyo Voivodes detachment against the Turkish pursuit-party on May 26, 1876.
The place of death of the voivode is at the foot of the hill. Traditionally every
year on June 2 there is an offcial ceremony on the hill before the monument
of the voivode. The ceremony honors the feat of the warriors who fell for the
Liberation of Bulgaria during the April Rebellion. During the Russo-Turkish War
(summer of 1877) there were trenches on the hill and battles were fought even
in present day lead bullets fred by various weapons could be found. A shady
asphalt road leads to the highest part of the hill and is suitable for busses, cars
and bicycles. Along the road there are fountains and places for rest and picnic.
On a sunny meadow not far from the monument of Tnayo Voivode was buried
the volunteer-warrior of third battalion Atanas Peev participant in the battles of
Shipka, Sheinovo and Stara Zagora.
Kerchana Hill Near Aprilovo Village
Address: 1 km away from Aprilovo village,
Municiplality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 060 377 221; 0893 336 801 -
Mayor;s Offce of Aprilovo village
Entrance and regime - free
Website: www.popovo.bg
25 24
For the purposes of the weekly social recreation 3560 decares in the municipality
were assigned for parks, water and fsh reservoirs and tourist and hunting cabins
giving perfect opportunities for alternative tourism. Leading are the high-class
bases for hunting tourism in Elenovo village, Golyamo Gradishte village and the
area Marinka Laka near Popovo. They are property of the Forest Association
Cherni Lom and are a point of attraction for cherishers from all over Europe.
Around 1885-1886 the population of Zvez-
da village built a small church temple a
chapel bearing the name of the saints Peter
and Pavel, at the place of a spring believed
to have healing water helping the blind peo-
ple to regain their sight.
Parks, Water and fish reservoirs, tourist and hunting cabins
Healing spring with a chapel in Zvezda village
on the territory of Municipality of Popovo
Adress: Elenovo village, Municipality of Popovo; Golyamo Gradishte village, Municipality
of Opaka; Area Marinka Laka, 5 km east of the town of Popovo on the road to Razgrad
after the deviation for Kardam village, near water purifying facility of Popovo and Cherni
Lom River.
Address of management Association of Hunters and Fishermen:
1 Tsar Osvoboditel Str., Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telphone: 0608 42 731; fax: 0608 43 876 secretary
Address of management of National Hunting Association Cherni Lom:
68 Mihail Madjarov Str., Popovo, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 0608 42 047 - Director; 0608 42 077 Dept. Director
Website: www.popovo.bg
Address: Sadina village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 06036 2222 Mayors Offce of Sadina villalge, 0892 077 654 and 0608
40 261 Department Culture in the Municipality of Popovo
Website: http://selo.sadina.f11.us/
Address: Zvezda village, Municipality of
Popovo, Targovishte District. The North-
western part of the village.
Telephone: 060 30 430; 0878 675 837
The Mayors Offce in Zvezda village.
Website: www.popovo.bg
Later, on the same place the people started to make boiled mutton for health on
the day of the holy apostles Kostantin and Elena Kostadinovden (May 21). The
healing spring is in the north-western part of the village at its end. The chapel
was rebuilt in 1986 on top of the foundation of the old chapel and is currently
reconstructed and devoted to sv. sv. Konstantin and Elena. It covers the spring
and still helps people with health and sight problems. The location is maintained
by the Mayors Offce in the village.
27 26
One very suitable place for relaxation com-
bined with sport fshing with tickets is situated
in the area of Popovo in the direction of Targo-
vishte. Every year reservoir Kavatsite is be-
ing artifcially bred with 10 000 carp units. It
also features carassius, European perch, grass
carp, zander, common rudd, silver carp, crab,
shell and many other species. Pleasant and
comfortable hotel complex of cabins is built in
the forest near the reservoir bank. At the oppo-
site bank of the reservoir there is also a hotel
Loven Dom Seyachi quarter, which is also
in the vicinity of a hunting and shooting range
complex. The location is maintained by the lo-
cal hunting and fshing association.
Reservoir Kavatsite
Eminence Kalakotch is the highest part of Popovo Hills (448 m). It is located
between the villages Kovachevets, Palamarza, Goliyamo Gradishte and Tsar
Asen. It is the third highest point in the Danubian Plain. Nowadays the largest
part of the eminence is included in the area of Palamarza village. There is a dirt
road starting from the village and almost reaching the top of the eminence. Ac-
cess by foot is also available from Popovo and the villages Palamarza and Ko-
vachevets. Under favorable weather conditions there is an excellent view of vil-
lages, rivers and reservoirs far away from the area of the Municipality of Popovo.
On top of the eminence is a mound used as an observation post by the Bulgarian
army and King Boris III himself during the large military maneuvers in 1937. The
ancient legend for the death of princess Antola and her lover - the shepherd Vel-
lizar, also includes this mound.
Eminence Kalakotch
Address: Reservoir Kavatsite, Popovo, the south-eastern exit of the
town in the direction of Targovishte. Popovo, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel
Str., Association of Hunters and Fishermen in Popovo.
Telephone: 0608 43 876, 0608 42 731, 0608 43 876, Association
of Hunters and Fishermen in Popovo; 0608 42 956, Hunting Centre
and hotel rooms.
Eco path with a length of 13.5 km. It is located
20 km west of Popovo along the banks of the
beautiful and picturesque valley near Buyuk Dere
(Big River). It stands between the villages Ivan-
cha and Dolets. It is one of the best places for
the cherishers of nature and is situated on the
natural border of the Balkan and Danubian Plain.
This virgin place offers spiritual pleasure from
the mixture of water, rocks and vegetation. Tour-
ists may take part in the magical and romantic
adventures of bicycling, outing, herb gathering,
observation of rare plants, fshing, preparation
and tasting of local eco-products, traditional fes-
tivals in the area Tiulbeto, visitation of fulling-
mill (near Ivancha village), spending the night in
a tent or under the open sky. There is everything
to guarantee a day-long pleasant experiences in
the Municipality of Popovo.
Eco Path The Big River
Address: Dolets village, Municipaliy of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 060 383 370; 0878 675 856, Mayors Offce Dolets village
Address: Ivancha village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 060 383 380; 0887 756 284 Mayors Offce Ivancha village
Website: www.popovo.bg
Address: Kovachevets village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 06038 2222; 0878 675 844 Mayors Offce Kovachevets village
Address: Palamarza village, Municipality of Popovo, Targovishte District
Telephone: 06035 2222; 0878 675 857 - Mayors Offce Palamarza village
Website: www.popovo.bg
28 29
Located 2 km east of the town center along the road Ruse Varna. The museum
activity in Razgrad started in 1887. In the funds of the regional historical museum
are kept over 70 000 units including unique items a collection of idol plastic art,
a Golden Pegasus, bronze and marble matrixes, sacred tiles, etc. The fund also
includes collections of adornments and weapons as well as a rich numismatic
collection of golden, silver and bronze coins from different ages. The park near
the building is converted into an open-air museum with magnifcently presented
Lapidarii. About 70 epigraphic monuments are exposed in it.
Archeological Preserve Abritus
and Historical Museum Razgrad
The largest part of the monuments is from Roman age and was found in
the antic town Abritus. The encircling alley leads to Abrutus itself an
important town center in Moesia Inferior province (present day Northern Bul-
garia). The archeological preserve area is about 1000 decares. It includes
a village mound from the 5
th
-6
th
millennium B.C., a Roman military camp,
several villages, a Late-Roman fortress Abritus and 4 necropolises. A bath
complex, two three-naved basilicas one of which episcopal, a cross-domed
church, social and living quarters and numerous artifacts were found in the
antic town. Among the artifacts is the largest Bulgarian late-antic golden
coin treasure of 835 soliduses (5
th
century). The well-restored villa Urbana a
peristyle complex from the end of the 4
th
century occupying area of 3200
square meters, can also be visited within the boundaries of the preserve. Of
interest is also the well-exposed fortress wall of Abritus having 4 gates and
35 battle towers.
Municipality of Razgrad is located in
North-Eastern Bulgaria, part of Razgrad
District. The Municipality includes 22
populated locations. Administrative
Centre is the town of Razgrad.
MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD
Address: 70 Aprilsko Vastanie Blvd.,
Working hours: from April 1 to October 30: 9:00 h 17:00 h with no days off;
from November 1 to March 31: 9:00 h 17:00 h; Saturday and Sunday upon
preliminary request
Telephones: 084 660 851; 084 662 459; 0878 901 430
Website: http://abritvs.atspace.com/
ZAVET
KUBRAT
TOPCHII
POBIT KAMAK
RAZGRAD
SAMUIL
TSAR
KALOYAN
31 30
Address: Razgrad, 20 Venelin Str.,
Telephone: 0878 901 434
Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com
The home of the noble educators of the Bulgarian Nation-
al Revival has always been one of the spiritual centers in
the town. The family contributed greatly for the education
and the awakening of the local population in the middle
and the second half of the 19
th
century. The exposition
offers information for the life and the activity of the two
educators and for the history and educational activity in
Razgrad. The exposition also presents a recreation of the
way of life and the atmosphere in the second half of the
19
th
century. Stanka Nikolitsa is the frst Bulgarian female
poet. The museum is in Varosha quarter.
House Museum Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi
Original architectural ensemble bearing the spirit and atmosphere of the National
Revival. A large number of museums, cultural centers and comfortable places of
entertainment keeping the spirit of Old Razgrad are concentrated here.
Varosha Quarter
It is located in Varosha quarter and
comprises a complex of 3 restored
old houses with yards. The exposition
presents in original way the traditional
culture of the local ethnographic group
Kapantsi. Presented are their festival
calendar system, way of life, apparel
and adornments. Various exhibitions
and concerts are organized on the ter-
ritory of the museum and during the
White Nights of the town it becomes
a mystical territory of legends and old
traditions.
Ethnographic Museum
House Museum
of the Composer Dimitar Nenov
The house is native for the noble com-
poser and pianist Dimitar Nenov who is a
representative of the Second generation of
Bulgarian composers. It presents the in-
formation for his life and activity and also
exhibits the piano he used to play when he
was young. Nenov is one of the founders of
the Association of the Bulgarian Compos-
ers Contemporary Music (1933) and is its
frst secretary and treasurer. In the 30s of
the 20
th
century he entirely devoted himself
to music. His works are various: vocal and
instrumental works, piano plays, works for
symphonic orchestra, etc.
The house museum Akad. Ananie Yavash-
ov opened doors on February 25, 2011. It
was restored, renovated and equipped with
funds granted by OPRD and the Municipal-
ity of Razgrad. It is connected to the life and
activity of academician Ananie Yavashov a
famous social fgure, pedagogue and re-
searcher who contributed signifcantly for
the examination of the history of Razgrad
area. The detailed examination of the an-
tic Roman town Archeological Preserve
Abritus was exclusively result of his work.
House Museum Ananie Yavashov pro-
vides exhibition area for various units from
the rich fund of the historical museum and
for visiting cultural treasures. The museum
is a preferred place for various art events,
presentations, educational programs, etc.
It is successfully becoming an active center
keeping the history of the area. Included is a
separate library with historical literature and
an elegantly arranged book and souvenirs
store.
House Museum of Ananie Yavashov
Address: 13 rakovski Str.;
Varosha Quarter
Telephone: 0878 901 436
Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com
Address: Razgrad, 7 Sv. Kliment Ohrisdski Str.,
Telephone: 0878 901 439
Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com
Addres: Razgrad,
20 Antim I Str.
Telephone: 0878 901 437
Website: www.abritvs.atspace.com
32 33
Opened in 1972. It keeps over 3000 art works of
world-famous and local painters (Dragan Danailov;
Kosta Petrov; Maxim Tsankov; Georgi Yordanov).
It was constructed in 1860 by the builder master Stan-
cho Danailov. It was reshaped in 1903 when a bell tower
was added. The area of the temple is around 590 square
meters. In 1862 a decoration of woodcarvings was
made by the national-revival master Gencho Kanev. In-
side the temple there are 8 large chancel-screen icons
created by the hands of Zaharii Tsankov and his son.
The wall paintings are from the period 1933-1934. The
church is one of the most representative in Bulgaria from
the period of the middle 19
th
century. The temple also
houses a library, which was founded after the Liberation
of Bulgaria. Books by different authors are stored in it.
Their content is also various religious and secular, ar-
tistic and philosophical, historical, economical, etc.
Monument of culture with national signifcance located in the
central town area near the Clock Tower. It was built in its present
appearance in 1617 with funds collected by the waqf founded
by Ibrachim Pasha a great vizier of Suleiman the Magnifcent.
According to the Turkish traveler Evliya Chelebi who visited the
Mosque in the 17
th
century the solidity and the magnifcence of
the mosque rivaled the mosque of Rustem Pasha of Tsarigrad.
The exquisite architecture made some specialists think that the
building was designed by the great Ottoman architect Sinan or
his apprentices. Unfortunately there is no direct evidence for this.
A local legend about the mosque Ibrachim Pasha tells the fol-
lowing story: The jealous Pasha decided to kill the builder mas-
ters after they fnish their work so that they could never create
a similar architectural masterpiece again. The builders, however,
realized his cruel plans and intentionally worked slowly using their
time to construct wings from wood and feathers. On the day the
mosque was completed the builders were locked in its minaret in
order to be thrown down and killed the following morning. When
the morning came the builders few away towards their liberty.
They didnt want to leave their instrument and beforehand they
strapped their axes to the wings.
Mosque Ibrachim Pasha Address: Razgrad, 1 Vasil Aprilov Str.,
Visitation: The church is open every day
from 07:00 h. to 18:00 h.
Morning service: 07:00 h.
Evening service: 16:00 h.
Website: http://church-rz.landbg.com/
Address: 2 Cyril i Metodii Str.,
Telephone: 0885 843 481
Website: http://www.rzgallery.com/
For its time being the Art Gallery turned out to be
a very important cultural center for the town and
the region, as well as a museum for the achieve-
ments of the modern plastic sculpture.
34 35
Monument of culture and also a symbol of
Razgrad. It is a cast iron sculpture of a maiden
in antic clothes bearing a hydria (water contain-
er) on her shoulder. The sculpture is positioned
on a stone pedestal. The sculpture decorates
a fountain in the town center and was con-
structed in the 19
th
century. Another legend
connects the construction of the fountain with
the romantic but impossible and tragic love be-
tween a wealthy Armenian maiden Anahid and
a poor Bulgarian teacher Ivan. The locals built
Momina Cheshma (Maidens Fountain) to honor
the local Romeo and Juliet. There is a belief in
Razgrad that the one drinking from the water
will be happy till the end of his/her days as he/
she will have the greatest treasure love.
Momina Cheshma
A magnifcent monument of culture located on the
oldest town square Vazrajdane. It was built as early
as the Liberation (1879) with the funds and the vol-
untary work of the Razgrads population to honor the
Russian warriors who liberated the town from Otto-
man yoke on January 28, 1878. Every year the people
of Razgrad gather on this date before the Mausoleum
to honor their liberators. January 28 became an offcial
holiday for Razgrad and the duke liberator Dondukov-
Korsakov became the frst Honored citizen.
Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators
It was constructed in 1764 and recon-
structed in 1864. It is located in the center
of the town. The tower was built by the
builder master Todor Tonchev from Tryav-
na and is 26.15 m high. The Clock Tower
is the symbol of Razgrad. Typical for it is
the arc shaped cornices and the dome re-
sembling church architecture.
Clock Tower
Address: Nezavisimost Squre
Address: Momina Cheshma Square
Address: Vazrajdane Square, Razgrad
The axes cut the ropes and the brave men found their death as their bodies
fell in different parts of the Ludogorie area. According to the legend the locals
remembered these places and honored them for many years. For the Turkish
people the places were sacred and the Bulgarians also lit grave-lamps on them.
The beautiful legend of these true sons if Icar inspired the author of the monu-
ment in the vicinity of the mosque. It is a stone sculpture depicting a man with
wings preparing to fy away.
Address: In the center of Razgrad near Bulgaria Square
36 37
Address: 7 km south-west of Razgrad,
in the direction of Popovo
It is located 7 km away from Razgrad. It includes a territory of 1200 hectares with
semi-mountainous lay and magnifcent natural conditions a river, 2 water res-
ervoirs with sunbathing places, rich biological diversity and presence of cultural
and historic monuments. The beautiful nature is combined with good infrastruc-
ture. It is accessible by car, by foot or by bicycle using a specially constructed
bicycle and pedestrian alley starting from the end of the town and reaching the
sunbathing place of the frst reservoir. There are several comfortable hotels on
the territory of Pchelina including one SPA-hotel, cabins and restaurants. The
opportunities for sports and tourism are various sport felds for football and
volleyball and the game Petanka. Sport fshing, water motorsports, rowing,
horse riding, bicycling, tourist orienting, etc. can be practiced here. Sixteen spe-
cialized itineraries with a total length of 46 km have been marked in the recrea-
tional and tourist zone. Eight of them are pedestrian paths (including a path for
people with disabilities). There are two itineraries for mountain biking and two
itineraries for horse riding. The area is accessible for people with disabilities.
Suitably adapted are also the sunbathing places near the reservoir and its ad-
joining facilities.
Recreational Area Pchelina
It is 20 km north of Razgrad. It occupies a terri-
tory of 4 decares and includes several restored
houses and yards from the National Revival period proclaimed monuments of
culture. The authentic arrangement of Bulgarian home inhabited by the ethno-
graphic group Balkandjii can be seen here. Places for recreation of local handi-
crafts have been differentiated. The visitors can test their skills for weaving of
rugs and knitting of straw-mats
and can taste local dishes pre-
pared according to old authen-
tic recipes. The taste of the wine
and the rakia prepared in the
complex will bring the guests
back in time and inspire them
with the positive energy of the
ancestors that came from the
Balkan and settled in this area.
Ethnographic Complex
of Pobit Kamak Village
Ethnographic
Complex Topchii Village
Opened on November 28, 1981. The exposi-
tion was created to preserve the traditions,
the way of life and the culture of the group
Kapantsi. The main occupation of the local
population is presented in it farming and
agriculture, and from the period of National
Revival the development of the handicrafts
woodcarving, furriery, leather manipulation,
metal forging. The typical architectural ele-
ments including the kivgir (freplace) and the
kilvan (brick stove) of the Kapanski home,
which is similar to the homes of the other eth-
nographic groups in North-Eastern Bulgaria,
are revealed.
Address: Topchii village, Municipality of Razgrad
1 Dobri Chintulov Str.,
Telephone: 0896 209 217
The special features of the apparel of Ka-
pantsi can be seen here a strong contrast
of white and black colors and embroidered
red details. The materials for carpets and
coverings are remarkable with the richness
of color, compositional style and sense of
measure.
Address: 58 3 March Str.,
Pobit Kamak village
Telephone: 0876 229 277
38 39
MUNICIPLALITY OF ISPERIH
ONE-DAY PACKAGE MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH
ONE-DAY PACKAGE
MUNICIPLITY OF POPOVO
09:30 h. Arrival at Welcoming Centre of The Tomb of Sveshtari
09:30 - 10:00 h. Coffee Break
10:00 - 12:30 h. Visitation to HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of a Thracian
King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)
12:30 - 13:30 h. Lunch
13:30 - 14:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings and The
Castle
14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to Historical Museum and Ethnographic House
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi
Departure
Variant 2
MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO
09:10 h. Arrival in Popovo and Coffee Break
in the town center
09:45 h. Visitation to Historical Museum
10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex of the
Late-Roman Fortress Kovachevsko
Kale
12:00 h. Lunch in Popovo
13:30 h. Visitation to the renovated Town park
and, upon request, to the chapel devoted
to Sveta Bogoroditsa and built in 1908
on the territory of the park, and a coffee
break
15:00 h. Visitation of the place of death of Tanyo
Voivodes detachment which participated
in the April Rebelion together with the
detachment of Hadji Dimitar on the hill
Kerchan Bair near Aprilovo villge
16:20 h. Visitation to Art Gallery Cyril Mayski in
Popovo or a walk with picnic along eco
path the Big River near Ivancha village
under free regime.
Departure
09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih
09:30 - 10.30 h. Visitation to Historical Museum and Ethnographic House
10:30 - 11:00 h. Monument of Khan Aspharuh
11:00 - 12:00 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi
12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch in Isperih
13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of a Thracian
King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings
and The Castle
Departure
09:00 h. Arrival in Popovo and Coffee Break in the town center
09:45 h. Visitation to Historical Museum
10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex of the Late-Roman
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
12:30 h. Visitation to the area with the fortress Dobroselsko Kale
13:15 h. Visitation to Kapanski Complex in Sadina village
14:30 h. Visitation to the ruins of the Thracian Tomb Mound near
Gagovo village
15.30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo
16:00 h. Visitation to the healing spring with a chapel in Zvezda
village
Departure
TOURIST PACKAGES AND ITINERARIES OF
DESTINATION ISPERIH-RAZGRAD-POPOVO:
ROAD OF ANCIENT CULTURES AND TRADITIONS
40 41
MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Varosha quarter, Ethnographic
museum, temple Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets
10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Archeological Preserve Abritus and
Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic Complex
in Pobit Kamak village
12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex
15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and coffee break
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation of Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov and a walk
in the central part of the town with visitation to the
mosque Ibrachim Pasha, Momina Cheshma, Clock
Tower, etc.
16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation to House Museums of the ducators Stanka
and Nikola Ikonomovi and of Ananie Yavashov
(upon request by the tourist)
Departure
ONE-DAY PACKAGE MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD
ISPERIH - RAZGRAD
TWO-DAY PACKAGES
V
a
r
i
a
n
t

2
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. Walk in the central part of the town with visitation to
the mosque Ibrachim Pasha, Momina Cheshma,
Clock Tower, etc.
10:30 - 11:15 h. Visitation to Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov
11:30 - 12:30 h. Visitation of Archeological Preserve Abritus and
Historical Museum
12:45 - 13:45 h. Lunch
13:45 - 14:15 h. A walk in Varosha quarter
14:15 - 15:00 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Museum in Varosha
quarter
15:00 - 16:00 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators
Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi. House Museum of
Ananie Yavashov
16:00 - 16:30 h. Coffee break
16:30 - 17:00 h. Visitation to the temple Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets
and Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators
Departure
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. A walk in the central part of the town with
visitation of the mosque, Momina Cheshma,
Clock Tower, etc.
10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve Abritus
and Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. A walk in Varosha quarter
12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch
13:00 - 13:30 h. Visitation to Ethnographic museum in
Varosha quarter
13:30 - 14:30 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators
Stanka and Nikolay Ikonomovi, House
Museum of Ananie Yavashov
14:30 - 15:00 h. Coffee break
15:00 - 16:00 h. Visitation to the temple Sv. Nikolay
Chudotvorets and Mausoleum-Ossuary of
the Liberators
Departure
FIRST DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih
09:30 - 11:00 h. Visitation of historical Museum, Ethnographic House
and Monument of Khan Aspharuh
11:00 - 12:00 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi
12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch
13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of a Thracian
King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings and The
Castle
17:00 - 18:00 h. A walk in the town and lodging in a hotel
18:00 - 19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
42 43
FIRST DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Varosha quarter, Ethnographic
Museum, Temple Sv. Nikolay Chudotvorets
10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve Abritus and
Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic Complex in Pobit
Kamak village
12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex
15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and a coffee break
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Art Gellery Prof. Iliya Petrov and a
walk in the central part of the town with visitation
to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower,
etc.
16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation of House Museums (upon request by the
tourist)
17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 9:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Isperih
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi
10:30 - 13:30 h. Visitation to HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of a
Thracian King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba
Khanqah, etc.)
13:30 - 14:30 h. Lunch
14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation of the House with Woodcarvings and
The Castle or visitation of Historical Museum,
Ethnographic House and the Monument of Khan
Aspharuh
15:30 - 16:30 h. Coffee break
Departure
FIRST DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and departure for Pobit
Kamak village
10:00 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Complex in Pobit
Kamak village and tasting of culinary products
11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Razgrad
12:00 - 13:00 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve Abritus
and historical Museum
13:00 - 14:00 h. Lunch
14:00 - 14:45 h. Visitation to Ethnographic Museum in Varosha
quarter
14:45 - 15:30 h. Visitation to House Museum of the educators
Stanka and Nikola Ikonomovi, DimitarNenov and
House Museum of Ananie Yavashov
15:30 - 16:00 h. Visitation to Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov
16:00 - 16:30 h. Coffee break
16:30 - 17:30 h. A walk in the central part of the town with
visitation to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma,
Clock tower, etc.
17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Popovo
10:30 h. Visitation to the tourist complex near Late-Roman
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
11:20 h. Visitation of the area with the fortress
Dobroselsko Kale
12:10 h. Visitation of Kapanski Architectural and
Ethnographic Complex in Sadina village
13:00 h. Lunch in Popovo
14:00 h. Visitation to Historical Museum
15:00 h. Visitation of Art Galery Cyril Mayski in Popovo
Departure
TWO-DAY PACKAGES
RAZGRAD - ISPERIH Variant 2
44 45
FIRST DAY
09:00 h. Arrival in Popovo and coffee break in the town center
09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum
10:45 h. Visitation of tourist complex near Late-Roman
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
12:30 h. Lunch
13:30 h. Visitation of the area with the fortress Dobroselsko
Kale
14:15 h. Visitation to Kapanski Complex in Sadina village
15:30 h. Visitation to the ruins of the Thracian Burial Mound
near Gagovo village
16:30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo and a
walk in the Town park
17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad
10:20 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve Abritus
and the Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. A walk in Varosha quarter
12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch
13:00 - 13:30 h. Visitation of Ethnographic Museum in Varosha
quarter
13:30 - 15:00 h. Visitation of Art Gallery Prof, Iliya Petrov, House
Museum of the educators Stanka and Nikola
Ikonomovi, House Museum of Ananie Yavashov
15:00 h. Visitation of the Mosque Ibrachim Pasha,
Momina Cheshma and Clock Tower
15:30 h. Coffee break
Departure
FIRST DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Malak Porovets
09:30 - 10:00 h. Visitation to the House with Woodcarvings
and The Castle
10:30 - 13:30 h. Visitation of HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of
Thracian King, Thracian town Helis, Demir
Baba Khanqah, etc.)
13:30 - 14:30 h. Lunch
14:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum and
Ethnographic House
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Wind Mill Belintsi
16:30 - 17:00 h. Monuments of Khna Aspharuh and Sv.
Georgi Pobedonosets
17:00 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
18:00 - 19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad
09:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Varosha quarter, Ethnographic
museum, temple
10:30 - 11:30 h. Vistation to Archeological Preserve Abritu:
and the Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic house in Pobit
Kamak village
12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex
15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and a coffee break
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation of Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov
and a walk in the central part of the town with visitation
to the Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.
16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitations to House Museums (upon request by the
tourist)
17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
18:00 h. Dinner and sleep
THREE-DAY PACKAGES POPOVO-RAZGRAD Variant 4
ISPERIH - RAZGRAD - POPOVO
46 47
THIRD DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Popovo
09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum
10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complec near the Late-Roman
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
12:00 h. Lunch in Popovo
13:30 h. Visitation to the renovated Town park and, upon request,
to the chapel devoted to Sveta Bogoroditsa and built in
1908 on the territory of the park, coffee break
15:00 h. Visitation of the place of death of Tanyo Voivodes
detachment which participated in the April Rebellion
together with the detachment of Hadji Dimitar on the hill
Kerchan Bair near Aprilovo village
16:20 h. Visitation of Art Gallery Cyril Mayski in Popovo
Departure
FIRST DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Popovo
09:45 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum
10:45 h. Visitation to the tourist complex near Late-Roman
Fortress Kovachevsko Kale
12:30 h. Visitation to the area with the fortress
Dobroselsko Kale
13:15 h. Visitation to Kapanski Complex in Sadina village
14:30 h. Visitation of the ruins of Thracian Burial Mound
near Gagovo village
15:30 h. Coffee break in the central part of Popovo
16:00 h. Viistation to the healing spring with chapel in
Zvezda village
17:30 h. A walk in the central part of Popovo, shopping
and visitation to the renovated Town Park located
700 m away from the town center
19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
SECOND DAY
08:00 - 09:00 h. Breakfast and departure for Razgrad
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to Varoshaquarter, Ethnographic Museum,
temple Sv. NIkolay Chudotvorets
10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation to Archeological Preserve Abritus and the
Historical Museum
11:30 - 12:00 h. Departure for Ethnographic house in Pobit Kamak village
12:00 - 14:30 h. Lunch and sightseeing in the complex
15:00 - 15:30 h. Arrival in Razgrad and coffee break
15:30 - 16:30 h. Visitation to Art Gallery Prof. Iliya Petrov and a walk
in the central part of the town with visitation of the
Mosque, Momina Cheshma, Clock Tower, etc.
16:30 - 17:30 h. Visitation to Huose Museums (upon request
by the tourist)
17:30 - 18:00 h. Lodging in a hotel
19:00 h. Dinner and sleep
THIRD DAY
09:30 h. Arrival in Isperih
09:30 - 10:30 h. Visitation to the Historical Museum and Ethnographic
House
10:30 - 11:30 h. Visitation of Wind Mill Belintsi
11:30 - 12:00 h. Visitation of the monuments of Khan Aspharuh
and Sv. Georgi Pobedonosets
12:00 - 13:00 h. Lunch
13:30 - 15:30 h. Visitation of HAP Sboryanovo (Tomb of a Thracian
King, Thracian town Helis, Demir Baba Khanqah, etc.)
15:30 - 16:00 h. Coffee break
16:00 - 16:30 h. Visitation of the House with
the Woodcarvings and The Castle
Departure
POPOVO - RAZGRAD - ISPERIH Variant 2
48 49
RAZGRAD - Ethnographical museum in Varosha quarter in Razgrad;
tasting of local cuisine in the Ethnographical complex of Pobit
Kamak village, customs and culture of ethnographical group
Kapantsi in the ethnographic complex of Topchii village
ISPERIH - Ethnographic museum house in Isperih, The house
with the woodcarvings in Malak Porovets village, Ethnographic
collection Sveshtari village, Wind Mill in Belentsi village
POPOVO - Ethnographic exposition with the historical museum
of Popovo, ethnographic museum collection in Svetlen village
(Belomorska house) and Kapanski cultural and ethnographic
complex in Sadina village (Municipality of Popovo)
RAZGRAD - Archeological preserve Abritus with the historical
museum in Razgrad, the Ibrahim Pasha mosque, the church Sv.
Nikolay Chudotvorets, the Varosha quarter with the museum
houses
POPOVO - Late-Roman-period fortress Kovachevsko Kale,
Thracian cupola tomb near Gagovo village, Orthodox church temple
Sveti Arhangel Mihail
ISPERIH - Historical and archeological preserve Sboryanovo
(Thracian King Sepulture, the Thracian fortifed town Helis, Kamen
Rid, Biyven Kasaba, Demir Baba khanqah)
POPOVO - International festival of twin towns of Popovo
including a tour with visitation of locations in the Municipality
of Razgrad Historical Museum AR Abritus, Varosha quarter,
Mauzoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators, Voinishki Monument,
Clock Tower, the mosque Ibrachim Pasha, etc., or in the
Municipality of Isperih HAP Sboryanovo
RAZGRAD - Yearly Yogurt Fair and the Festival of the national
traditions and artistic handicrafts in July, or the Festival of the
immovable cultural heritage of Razgrad area The white nights of
Razgrad in June, which include a tour with visitation of locations
in the Municipality of Isperih HAP Sboryanovo, or locations
in the Municipality of Popovo Late-Roman-period fortress
Kovachevsko Kale
ISPERIH - Days of cultural and historic heritage and the Maize
Fair in Isperih; including a tour and visitation of locations in the
Municipality of Razgrad Historical Museum, AR Abritus,
Varosha quarter, The Mausoleum-Ossuary of the Liberators,
Voinishki Monument, Clock Tower, the mosque Ibrachim Pasha,
etc.
THREE ITINERARIES OF SUBJECTS HAVE BEEN PREPARED, WHICH
EFFECTIVELY UNITE ALL PRESENT TYPES OF TOURISTIC RESOURCES
LIKE ETHNO-, CULTURAL-, HISTORICAL-, ARCHEOLOGICAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES IN ORDER TO REVITALIZE SMALL
MARGINALIZED VILLAGES IN THE THREE MUNICIPALITIES.
50 51
MUNICIPALITY OF ISPERIH
7400 Isperih,
2 Dunav Str.,
Tel.: +359 8431/20-06
www.isperih.bg
www.museumisperih.com
This document was prepared within the project Isperih-Razgrad-Popovo: A road of ancient cultures
and traditions realized with the financial support of Operational Program Regional Development
2007-2013 co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
The whole responsibility for the content of the publication is taken by the Municipality of Isperih and
it cannot be considered under any circumstances that this document reflects the official position of
the European Union and the Managing Unit.
MUNICIPALITY OF POPOVO
7800 Popovo,
1 Alexander Staboliiski Str.,
Tel.: +359 60840021
www.popovo.bg
www.museumpopovo.com
MUNICIPALITY OF RAZGRAD
7200 Razgrad,
37A Beli Lom Blvd., P.B. 88
Tel.: +359 84660091,
+359 84660092
www.razgrad.bg
www.abritvs.atspace.com