If you want to discover Bulgaria you must visit some of the villages in the asrea.

You could go to spa in some of the hot springs even in the winter. Visit a local festival or just enjoy to hospitality of the people and the athmosphere of the mountain villages.

Cherni Osam village

A couple of kilometres beyond the Troyan Monastery, buses from Troyan come to rest in the village of Cherni Osam, an unspoilt logging community which provides an excellent base from which to explore the upper reaches of the Cherni Osam valley and the Central Balkan National Park, an extensive nature reserve which lies just south of the village.
The village Cherni Osam was established by freedom-loving and rebellious Bulgarians 300 years ago. It has kept its striving for national independence and turned to be a fortress of the Bulgarian national spirit.
It`s also home to a small Natural History Museum, located at the southern end of the village. Stuffed examples of the local wildlife are on show, including stags, bears and wolves, some mounted on revolving pedestals, with background tapes playing the appropriate howls and growls.


Chiflik village

The village of Chiflik is situated 15 km south-west of Troyan at the foot of the unique peak Kozya Stena.It is located at the upper flow of the Beli Ossam River, surrounded by dense forests and picturesque Alpine landscape.

The place attracts tourists with its health resort built near a hot water mineral spring (3000 l/min, 52’C). The water treats diseases of the bones and joints, respiratory tract, and various neurological, urologic, gynaecological, gastric and enteric diseases.

The health centre has an Olympic size mineral water swimming pool, several small restaurants and hotels with private swimming pools, and facilities for mineral water therapy and physiotherapy

Shipkovo spa

The mineral water is incredibly healthy for people with problems with the joints and the nerves. There is a swimming pool with mineral water and spa in the resort. The resort offers healing procedures.

The healing characteristics of the mineral water:

Spa in mineral water – for taking a bath "L36" Neurology diseases;

Diseases of the joints;

Muscle diseases;

First stage of hypertonic;

The water from spring "L28" is mainly for drinking :

It helps if you have any problems with the stomach, with the livers or kidneys. 

 

Oreshak village

The village is situated at exactly 1km from town Troyan. The river Cherno Osam passes through the village. The Troyan monastery is the third biggest monastery in Bulgaria and it is situated exactly in Oreshak. It is one of the most precious Christian sightseeing in Bulgaria. Built in 1782, in its church is situated the wonder-working icon. On 15th august is the village holidayand the icon is taken out from the monastery. There is a museum at the place in the monastery where Levski was hiding. Levski is the most famous Bulgarian heroe.

 

 
Ribarica village


Shipkovo village

Village Shipkovo is situated in the middle slopes of middle Stara planina, 20 km in the west from the town Troyan, 180 km in the East from Sofia. The name of the village is because of the dog roses around the villages. The resort Shipkovo is next to the village. In the resort there are plenty of restaurants. Shipkovo is at 700 m., the cool summer, cold winter, the varied forest plants are the reason for the existing resort. The climate is ideal for people who suffer from respiratory problems. The average temperature in the January -2°Ñ, in July around: +20°Ñ, the average year temperature: +10°Ñ

 

 

Troyan

Troyan (also spelled Troian, is a town in Lovech Province in central Bulgaria with population of 21,997 inhabitants, as of December 2009. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Troyan Municipality. The town is about 160 km away from the country capital Sofia. The nearest civilian airport is Gorna Oryahovitsa, 105 km away. The river of Beli Osam passes through the heart of the town.

Minko Akimov of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria has been the town's mayor since 2007.

The Troyan region is home to the cultural and historical site of the Troyan Monastery. August 15 is the day of the Monastery's Patron Saint, when thousands of people from the country gather to celebrate and see a unique icon of Mary. The icon is unique in that Mary has three hands made of silver. The origins of the icon are unknown but there are many stories, some of which involve miracles.

The town is famous for its traditional pottery, probably developed partly as a result of the qualities of the local clay soil. Pottery was a main source of income for the local craftsmen during the Bulgarian Renaissance age. Now handmade pottery items are sold as souvenirs to tourists. Fine examples of traditional pottery can be seen in the town's museum, across from the municipal building.

Also notable are the Nunki Complex and the St Paraskeva Church, both built in the first half of the 19th century.

The production of premium quality plum brandy (rakia) has become a part of the local culture. In connection with this, the town holds the annual Festival of the Plum in the autumn. Plum brandy from Troyan has gained national and international acclaim at major showcases.

The official day of Troyan is October 14, the day of the town's patron saint, St Petka Paraskeva.