ENRICH YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CREATE EVERLASTING AND CHERISHED VACATION MEMORIES

Situated in its eponymous natural site, 14 km away from Kovathevitsa, Kozi Kamak (the Goat-Shaped Stone) is an unusual geomorphological formation with a surface area of about 300 sq. m. This natural phenomenon is an impressive 30-metre-high massive rock formation, whose peak, resembling vaguely a shape of male goat, has determined its name. Being a remarkable natural wonder in itself, the rock formation attracts many tourists and scientists, intrigued especially by its 120 holes, equal in size and with the same form, which are thought to have originated in Antiquity and are supposed to have been related to the Thracians’ religious beliefs and practices and/or to their cosmogonic concepts. In the megalith complex you can also make out anthropomorphic formations, a Thracian temple’s four gates, a large “cauldron” on the top of the rock, as well as the Mother of God’s mysterious outline.

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo – Leshten – Gorno Dryanovo -  Kovachevitsa Kozi Kamak  is located in its eponymous natural site. You can go to the place known as Beslet by car, then, walking past/through a large meadow, you will get to a fork in the road. There are 2 signposts, which dive directions about how to go to Beslet Peak and to Kozi Kamak.

Part of the Rila-Western Rhodope batholith (rocks, formed from magma), the area of Kayaliyskite Skali in 1984 was designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty with a statutory protection. The conservation area comprises an impressive grouping of single rocks and massive rock formations, located on the steep right slope of the Kayali Ravine, at an altitude of 1600 m. Created by the natural gradual process of batholith erosion, these spectacular geological formations, from 10 to 70 m in height, are surrounded by an ancient forest of evergreen Scots pines and spruces, thus turning the area into a marvelous representation of the Earth’s geodiversity, which gives great pleasure and which is definitely worth admiring. Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo (in Marchevo there is a turn-off on the left to the village of Leshten) – Leshten – Gorno Dryanovo – Kovachevitsa From Kovachevitsa you can get to Kayaliyskite Skali using a means of transportation and going along an asphalted road (for about 16 km) to Beslet Commercial Forest. Then, also using a means of transportation, you can go up the forest road, in the direction of the place known as Mishova Polyana (Misho’s Meadow), nearly getting to the upper reaches of the Kayali Ravine (about 4 km).

The best period to go there: from May to October

Distance: 36,5 km
Car drive: 50-60 min

Situated on the slopes of the Western Rhodopes’ Dabrash Ridge, at an altitude of 1,400-1,600 m, Tamnata Gora (the Dark Forest) is the most significant protected wildlife area in the region.
In summer and autumn you can relish a walking tour through the ancient spruce and mixed forests and admire a great number of rare plant and animal species which have been given Biodiversity Directive protection.
In Tamnata Gora SAC you can admire rare plant species, valued in a global context such as the Rhodope snowbell (Soldanella rhodopea) and the Rhodope toothwort (Lathrea rhodopea), as well as  endangered animal species, designated for a priority protection such as  the black stork (Coconia nigra), the European honey bussard (Pernis apivorus), the hazel grouse (Tetrastes bonasia), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), the rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), etc.

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo – Garmen – Leshten – Kovachevitsa
Tamnata Gora SAC is situated along the upper reaches of the Kanina River, on the slopes of the Western Rhodopes’ Dabrash Ridge, 16 km to the northeast of Kovachevitsa’s center (asphalted road) + 3 km of path to the east of the place known as Beslet.
Distance: 36 km

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicopolis_ad_Nestum

Link: http://gotsedelchevmuseum.bg

Link: http://www.gotsedelchev.bg/

Link: http://ognyanovo.com/

Link: http://www.kovachevica.com/

Link: http://www.gotsedelchev.bg/

Link: http://www.dolen.hit.bg

The unique in the municipality of Garmen museum collection is in the village of Skrebatno. It was created in 1978 by an initiator committee, assisted by the local residents.

The collection takes up a building with over 300 years of historical background. During the Ottoman rule over Bulgaria the house was used as a konak (Turkish administration and police residence), as a monastery school, and later – as a secular education school.

The assemblage comprises traditional costumes of both ethnic groups (Christians and Muslims), household equipment, as well as a unique collection of photographs, documents and personal belongings, related to the local residents’ participation in the struggle to have Bulgaria freed from Turkish domination.

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Skrebatno (in the direction of the road to Ribnovo)

Distance: 8 km

Car drive: 15 min

Link: http://svetilishte.com/

Link: http://www.bulgariancastles.com/

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Ognyanovo – Baldevo – Gospodintsi – Momina Klisura
Driving from Gotse Delchev to Bansko, you can see the Fortress from the main road – it lies to the left of the road, between the villages of Gospodintsi and Mesta. To get to it, you have to walk along a path, which passes by some tumbledown houses and goes up, to take you to the Fortress. At a leisure pace, it takes about 20 min.

Link: https://www.bulgariancastles.com/gr-gotse-delchev-krepost-momina-kula/

Monastery of the Mother of God is a female monastic community under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Eparchy of Nevrocop (the Holy Metropolis of Nevrocop), which constitutes an important part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It falls into the Diocese of Gotse Delchev.
Little is known about the religious establishment’s historical background. According to the legends, there used to be a male monastery at that sacred place, which was completely destroyed during the Ottoman rule over Bulgaria. Rebuilt in 1888, now the monastery comprises a small, one-nave church with a narthex, residential and farm buildings.
Nevrocop Monastery of the Mother of God has been designated a Monument of Culture.

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo – Garmen – Gotse Delchev – Nevrocop Monastery
Nevrocop Monastery is located 2-3 km away from Gotse Delchev, in the direction of the road to the village of Delchevo.
Distance: 16 km
Car drive: 18 min

The town of Gotse Delchev features 3 churches, all of them built in the period of the Bulgarian National Revival and designated a Monument of Culture.
St Archangel Michael’s Church, built in 1811, is among the oldest yet best-kept Orthodox religious temples in the Eparchy of Nevrocop. Remarkable for its exquisite iconography and woodcarving, the Church is also recognized for keeping 109 icon masterpieces from the 17th century.
The Assumption of the Mother of God Church, built in 1838, captivates with its elaborate iconography. Part of the icons have been painted by Dimitar Molerov – a highly recognized representative of the Bansko School.
The largest and most impressive Church of Saints Kiril & Metodij and St Elijah the Prophet is the major ceremonial Christian temple in Gotse Delchev, which is situated in the town center and features 75 highly appreciated icons from the 18th and the 19th centuries, also painted by the Bansko School’s iconographers.

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo – Garmen – Gotse Delchev
Distance: 12 km
Car drive: 14 min

St Paraskeva’s Church in Leshten is remarkable for both its intriguing historical background and singular architecture and interior design.
Legend has it that the Orthodox temple was built in 1837 by the inhabitants of the village of Golo Bardo (which now is in the confines of Albania), who emigrated to Leshten to escape being persecuted by the oppressors. St Paraskava’s Church in Leshten has become the successor of Golo Bardo’s eponymous Christian temple, built as far back as 1666.
At the present time, the Church captivates with elaborately made iconostasis and surprisingly bright and singular frescoes, recognized as being of great artistic merit

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Marchevo – Leshten
In the village of Marchevo there is a turn-off on the left to the village of Leshten.
Distance: 9 km
Car drive: 12 min

Assumption of the Mother of God Church in Ognyanovo was built in 1835 and has been designated a Monument of Culture.
Created in the times of the Ottoman rule over Bulgaria, Ognyanovo’s Church is a small 3-nave basilica, part of which is below the surface of the ground, thus inspiring the Christians to humbleness and spiritual communion with God. The cozy yet impressive religious temple features elaborately painted iconostasis and valuable icons, painted by Dimitar Molerov – a prominent iconographer from the Bansko School

Route: Therma Vitae Complex – Ognyanovo - Assumption of the Mother of God Church
Distance: 3 km
Car drive: 3-4 min