In Etropole you must be right in 12 without 5

When we travel, we look not to rush, not to chase the exact hours and a strict program, to be spontaneous and free. Otherwise, the travels will be too reminded of the working days that we have started to rest. However, there is a city whose visit is worth planning up to a minute. More specifically, up to 12 without noon. The city is Etropole, and the location we must be in the right hour is Clock towerS

Just before the clock counts the hours in 12, the song « Old Houses » by Mariana and Todor Traichevi is spread over the roofs of the city. The text is by Etropole poet Georgi Bilev:

Old houses with chards smiling

and boxed white fountains;

old streets, cobblestone, quiet,

With garlands of gold vines.

The 20-meter tower has risen to this place since 1710, initially serving for observation and defense. Just more than a century later, she has been converted into a clock and since then her bell has measured her time every hour. There is a wooden book house next to the building where you can leave a book you have already read or get a new one.

Hence The History Museum The city is 2 minutes walk. In his halls, he keeps unexpected treasures.

Here you will see objects from the first settlers in these lands dating from the Bronze Age; Household items and jewelry from the Thracian tribal tribe, as well as a layout of ore processing machines brought to Etropole by Saxon Rudars in the 15th and 16th centuries.

On the digital kiosk you can unfold the pages of the island of 1581 – an edition printed by the first Russian printer Ivan Fedorov. The first Miss Bulgaria – Lyuba Yotsova, also has a connection with the city – she was born in Vratsa, but her family is from Etropole. In the museum you can see her in a photo dressed in Etropole costume.

The Etropole History Museum is number 63 in the list of the 100 national tourist sites. This means that you can also pick up a digital print on the spot. More curious facts about him can be learned in the Yettel application.

Continue your day in a bird song, waterfall noise and bell bell. 10 minutes by car from town you reach The Holy Trinity Monasterywhich is also one of the 100 national tourist sites and is number 63a. It was founded in 1158 and in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it was one of the most significant literary and educational centers in Bulgaria. The Etropole Art School was founded here. You can also see the hiding place that the Abbot Chrysant has made for Vasil Levski in the kitchen of the monastery.

A few steps away from the monastery hidden among the shadows and the coolness of a centuries -old beech forest, descends Varovitz waterfallS Its beautiful water curtain falls from 12 meters in height, and next to it descends a steep path among the roots of the old trees. See it in the spring or early summer when it is the most fulfilling.

In June, you have another occasion to plan a walk to Etropole – on June 29 (Petrovden) the city celebrates its holiday with music, craft alley and lots of fun in the central part.

Etropole is an hour’s car from Sofia and is a great destination for a day or two -day excursion that has everything.