Location : Vratsa is one of the most picturesque cities in Bulgaria. It is located in the northwestern part of Bulgaria and is nestled in the foothills of the Vrachanski Balkan (Vratsa Mountain), with the Leva River calmly crossing the city. Vratsa is 116 km north from the Bulgarian capital Sofia.
Population : The population of Vratsa is 69 423 inhabitants.
History : Vratsa was founded by the Thracians. The city was called Valve (door of a fortress) by the Romans because of the narrow passage which was the entrance to the city. Nowadays, this passage is the symbol of Vratsa and is presented on the Town's Coat of Arms. After the fall of the Roman Empire Vratsa became a part of Byzantium. At the end of the 6th century AD, Vratsa was populated by the South Slavic tribes. In the 7th century, the city became a part of the new Bulgarian state founded by Bulgarians and Slavs. The city became an important strategic location because of its close proximity to the South State border. The name of the town was changed from Valve to the Slavic Vratitsa, which has the same meaning and is the source of the modern name. Vratsa became famous for its goldsmith's and silversmith's production and trade, high-quality earthenware and military significance. Vratsa played a significant role in the resistance against the Byzantine, Serbian and Magyar invasions in the Middle Ages. During the time of the Ottoman Occupation the town hosted a military garrison and has been ravaged and rebuilt numerous times. Nowadays the city of Vratsa is a commercial and crafts centre and a railway junction. It accommodates textile, metal processing, chemical, and ceramics industries.
Landmarks :
- Regional Museum of History – On the main square of the town of Vratsa, it possesses rich collection of Thracian treasures, works of the famous jewellery school of Vratsa and documents related to the life and deeds of the great revolutionary and genial poet Hristo Botev. The most important exhibits in the collection are undoubtedly the well known silver treasure from Rogozen (5rd – 3rd century B.C.), consisting of 65 vessels, some of which decorated with gold and the golden treasure from Vratsa, consisting 600 vessels among which there is one beautifully decorated crown.
- The monument of Hristo Botev – In the middle of the main square. Vratsa respects this well known poet, because Hristo Botev finds his death nearby as a leader of 200 men squad, who entered into unequal battle with the Turkish army. All of that happened on 2nd of June 1876, a little more than a month from the debacle of the April rebellion. This desperate act was doomed from the beginning, but is strong evidence that Bulgarian people were desperate to fight for their freedom. A poet dies, a legend is born…On every June 2nd many people gather to the place where the poet was killed. Exactly at noon in all cities and villages of Bulgaria sirens go off and everybody stops doing whatever he’s doing and keeps a minute of silence, to commemorate Hristo Botev and all Bulgarians who gave their lives for the liberation of the county.
- The Ethnographic complex St. Sofroniy Vrachanski is an architectural exposition which contains tree typical Bulgarian houses and a school from the time of the Bulgarian National Revival period. The composition shows the culture and the every-day life of the population in Vratsa from the end of the 19th century.
- The Tower of the Meshtchii is one of the symbols of Vratsa. The tower is 13 meters high and was built in the 16th century. It was most probably built for the local notables who played a key role in the life of the city at that time. They were the people who determined what will be the amount of the taxes and they were the link between the enslaved Bulgarian people and the ottoman authorities. In the end of the 19th century the tower was reconstructed as a clock tower.
Surroundings :
- National park Vratchansky Balkan – Spreading above the town, this park in the Karst part of the Balkan mountain, offers stunning views and sceneries on a surface of 280 km2 . The park area is crisscrossed by many caves and wild watered creeks and is a true heaven mountaineers, speleologists and nature lovers.
- The Vratzata rock massif is the most famous natural landmark in the region of Vratsa and one of the city’s most famous symbols. It is a 400 meters vertical wall, situated along the Leva River which is perfect for extreme climbing. Many national and international climbing contests are organized there.
- The Ledenika cave is situated 16 km from Vratsa. It features an abundance of galleries and impressive karst formations including stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is approximately 300m long and contains ten separate halls. The biggest one is the Concert Hall (60 m long, 46 m width, 22.7 m height) and is called like that because its phenomenal acoustics. The way to it is through the Passage of Sinners. Only those whose heart is pure can pass through it the legend says it. Once the cave was full of water but now only a small lake has remained - the Lake of Wishes. The legend also says that if you dip your hand in the ice-cold waters of the lake and make a wish, the wish will come true.
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