Uzana - the geographic center of Bulgaria

Bulgarian sights
Location:  Gabrovo Region
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People say that home is where the heart is. The heart of many Bulgarians and foreigners belongs to a dream Uzana - the Heart of the Balkan, indulged in luscious sunshine in the summer and in snow-white reverie in the winter. Once you set a foot on its ends, you can not help falling into her enchantment. The mighty embrace of the mountain has preserved this unique place where one can recharge with energy from its grandeur and beauty. 

Uzana is located in the municipality of Gabrovo, on the transition between high and crude Central Balkan, along the soft and rounded Eastern Balkan Mountains. And more precisely - in the skirts of peak of Ispolin (1,524 m) (old name is Mount Korudzha), in the western part of the Shipka share of Central Balkan Mountains, in the very heart of Bulgaria.

Uzana is strategically located in the geographical center of Bulgaria, and like Rome, all roads lead to it. The area is popular with many opportunities available for summer vacations and weekend outings, combined with walks, gathering mushrooms, berries and herbs. The meadow is surrounded by beech forests, cut by numerous eco trails and old roads filled with caves and wonderful world of plants and animals.

The nearest start point to the alpine meadow is the town of Gabrovo, which is located only 22 km away, asphalt road. Since 2009 the area has the status of a resort. Here is the geographical center of Bulgaria, which was measured in 1991, the same year is a sign that marks the center of the territory of our country and is a stylized form of a pyramid, painted in the colors of the national flag. Since 2008, the site was included in the national tourism movement "100 Tourist Sites" under № 19 along with architectural and ethnographic complex "Ethur", National Museum of Education and Museum "House of Humour and Satire" in the town of Gabrovo. Proximity to the city allows to be visited and other cultural and historical sites unless specified - Sokolski Monastery and Architectural Reserve "Bozhentsi".

The area traditionally associated with opportunities for rest and relaxation in nature. This is the largest meadow ridge of Stara Planina Mountain and is surrounded by beech forests. Its altitude varies from 1220 to 1350 m, the highest point is Mount Markov stol (1352 m). The area is a starting point for the territory of two parks: the west - National park "Central Balkan" and east - Natural Park "Bulgarka". Area and the region are suitable for rock climbing and caving, hiking, mountain biking.

Uzana is a popular winter resort. In the area there are eight tracks, the largest has a length of 1,300 m. All tracks are equipped with lifts. Snowy meadow is a good field for kite-boarding.

The resort function following lodging and accommodations:

  • Huts "Usana", "Forest House", tourist dormitory "Favorit"
  • Hotel "Prima S", guest house "Hlebna", "Impulse" hotel, "Geographic Center" hotel, hostel "Partisan song" vacation home "Edelweiss"

Nature in the area and the region has a high degree of preservation, having found rare flora and fauna in the Red Book. The area is included in the European and national ecological network Natura 2000.

The varied topography, soil and climatic conditions and high elevation (1100 m) determine the greatest biological diversity in the Natural Park Bulgarka and Uzana area. They are habitat for over 400 species of plants, as officially recognized by the Pharmacopoeia of Bulgarian medicinal plants here are found around 70% of them.

From the main tree species are distributed beech - 68%, various species of oak, hornbeam, acacia, lime, ash, maple, elm, ash.

Conifer occur: white and black pine, spruce, pine, fir, European larch, which for the most part are artificial plantations.
Natural Park Bulgarka Usana and are comfortable habitat for a large number of vertebrate and invertebrate fauna. Common representatives of small mammals: hedgehog, rabbit, hamster, and forest dormouse, zhaltogarla forest mouse, blind dog, forest and snow vole. Large mammals are represented by gray wolf, bear, wild boar, red deer and roe deer.

Usana attracts people with its fresh mountain air, tranquility and magnificent scenery. Through the international tourist route passes E-3, connecting the Adriatic to the Black Sea in Bulgaria is known as a tourist route "Kom - Emine." To the west it continues to hut "Mazalat" and Triglav Massif (2,276 m) to the east - to the Shipka Pass and Mt Hadji Dimitar (before - Buzludja).

 

Source: http://bg.wikipedia.org
Pictures: www.uzana-tourism



Chuprene Biosphere Reserve

The reserve is one of the largest biosphere reserves in Bulgaria. It is established in 1973 to preserve the northern coniferous forests of Bulgaria. In 1977 it was included in the list of biosphere reserves under the program "Man and Biosphere".

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Water Holes Cave

Water Holes Cave is located in Apriltsi Municipality, within the Central Balkan National Park on the northern slope of the massif of Botev Mount.

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Albotin rock monastery

Albotin monastery is an inactive Medieval rock monastery included in Vidin diocese.

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Chervenitsa - geological phenomena over the village of Kunino

The natural phenomenon Chervenitsa is a molded boulder, rising more than 150 m above the terrace of the river Iskar in village of Kunino. It is located about 46 km east of Vratsa and approximately 120 km northeast of Sofia.

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Lopushanski monastery "Sv. Yoan Predtecha"

The Lopushanski monastery is located in the Balkan Mountain in the valley of Dalgodelska Ogosta river. It is operational and consists of a church, residential and farm buildings and a white stone fountain, all surrounded by a stone wall.

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The museum of salt

A unique museum in the whole Eastern Europe dedicated to the production of salt by solar evaporation of sea water, Pomorie

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Taukliman Reserve

Natural Reserve Taukliman typical landslide with length of about 4 km, formed between the edge of the Dobrudzhansko plateau and the coast.

Basilica Sveta Sofia - Sofia city

The Early Christian basilica Sveta Sofia is an active Orthodox church in the center of Sofia city. The church was probably built in the early VI century on the ruins of early Christian tombs from II - IV century and the ruins of two earlier churches from IV-V century. It is located among the necropolis of the ancient Serdica.

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Medieval fortress "Monyak"

"Monyak" fortress is one of the largest and high located fortresses in the Rhodopes near the village of Shiroko pole, Kardzhali Region

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Vakarelski monastery "St Petka"

Vakarelski monastery "St Petka" was found in XX century and now it is working occasionally. It was functioning as nunnery.

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"The Womb" cave

A unique Thracian temple near the village of Nenkovo, Kardzhali Region

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Thracian sanctuary "Gluhite kamani"

The megalithic complex "Gluhite kamani" is one of the largest Thracian sanctuaries since BC, whose strength continues to act today to anyone who visits it.

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Krivus Fortress

A medieval fortress located on a picturesque cliff above Arda River near the village of Bashevo, Kardzhali Region

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"St. Konstantin and Elena" monastery near Ladzha quarter, Ivaylovgrad

The monastery of Lazdha or Ivaylovrad monastery "St. Konstantin and Elena" is situated close to Ladzha quarter in the town of Ivaylovgrad

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Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa

Rakovitsa monastery Sveta Troitsa was was found in X-XI century and during the Middle Ages was an important literary and cultural center in Bdin area.

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Roman tomb - town of Hisarya

The Hisar tomb is a late Roman family tomb built in the second half of the IV-th century.

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Elenska basilica

Elenska basilica is early Christian temple that is preserved to nowadays and is situated in proximity to the town of Pirdop

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"St. Theodor Tyron and Theodor Stratilat" church

A unique monument of culture with extremely precious frescoes and icons included in UNESCO's list with the World Cultural Heritage, village of Dobarsko, Blagoevgrad Region

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Ovech Fortress

One of the oldest fortresses in Bulgaria located on a high mountain plateau above the town of Provadiya

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Momina kula Fort

Late ancient and medieval fortress in the Pirin mountain part of Mesta River in the settlement of the village of Kremen

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