Central Northern Bulgaria
The town of Apriltsi (about 5000 inhabitants, between 500 and 600 metres above sea level) is spread out along the northern corrugations of the Kalofer Mountain, by the Ostreshka River (the Novoselska River), the Vidima River and the Zla Reka River. Its quarters (former villages) are scattered at a great distance one from the other. It is situated at the distance of 205 km to the south of Sofia, 57 km to the west of Gabrovo, 41 km to the south-west of Sevlievo, 25 km to the south-east of Troyan and 49 km to the south-east of Lovetch. It is a colourful mountain resort.
History: It was in 1812 when a church and a school with it were opened here and in 1850 a secular school was founded, as well. In 1872 Vassil Levski organized a secret revolutionary committee. Freedom-loving Balkan mountain dwellers took part in the April Uprising (1876), known here as Novoselo Uprising. The Republic of Novoselo was proclaimed and the rebels heroically defended the whole 9 days against the numerously outnumbering them enemy. It was drowned in blood and fire - over 150 people killed, lots of people exiled, 772 buildings were destroyed and set on fire, the convent and the church of 1812 inclusively. Voivoda Tsanko Dustabanov who came with his detachment from Gabrovo in support of the insurgent villages was killed there, too. A great part of the survived population emigrated.In 1976 in honour of the 100-annual jubilee from the April (Novoselo) Uprising the four villages - Novo Selo, Vidima, Zla Reka and Ostrets were proclaimed as today’s town of Apriltsi. The first village is considered as central area of the new town. Apriltsi increasingly becomes an attractive winter resort.
Landmarks: The historical Novo Selo Monastery (in the eastern part of the Novo Selo Quarter). It was plundered and destroyed by fire during the Uprising. It was rebuilt after the Liberation. The following places of interest are located in Novo Selo, too: House-monument to Novoselo Uprising, The Architectural and Ethnographical Museum, St. Georgi Temple Monument, the houses of P. Popnikolov and M. Popski.
Accommodation: The Loven Dom Hotel (Hunter’s House) (Vidima Quarter, 10 beds, everything needed for hunting on offer). The Tihiyat Kut Hotel (the Quite Corner) (10 beds in 5 double rooms). Matev Hotel, family type of hotel (10 beds). Zora Chalet (Dawn) (in the Zora Quarter, past the road fork to the quarter of Vidima, 57 beds in 1 suite and rooms with 3, 4, 5, 8 and more beds). Vidima Chalet (in the southern end of the quarter of Vidima, 54 beds in 1 suite and rooms with 3, 4 and 5 beds).
There are private homes, which offer accommodation as well: Tsonevski (6 beds in 3 double rooms), Turnovski ( 2beds), Perkovi (4 beds in 2 double rooms), Nikolova (4 beds). Catering is offered at all hotels, chalets and private lodgings.
There are private homes, which offer accommodation as well: Tsonevski (6 beds in 3 double rooms), Turnovski ( 2beds), Perkovi (4 beds in 2 double rooms), Nikolova (4 beds). Catering is offered at all hotels, chalets and private lodgings.
Tourist information - in the Regional Tourist Bureau – 5641 Apriltsi (102, V. Levski Street, Stara Planina block, tel./fax: 06958 3249). At the Balkan Tourist Association. At the hotels, at the tourist chalets.
Transport: There are regular bus lines to Troyan, Sevlievo, Gabrovo, Pleven, Lovech and other smaller settlements within the region. The bus station is in the Novo Selo Quarter. A town bus runs between the quarters of the town.
Surrounding areas: Batoshevo Monastery (20 km to the north-east of Apriltsi and 4 km to the south of the village of Batoshevo). It was founded during the 13th century under the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Mihail Assen (1248-1258). It was destroyed during the Ottoman invasion in the 14th century and rebuilt in 1838. It was wall-painted in 1869. Father Matei Preobrazhenski Mitkaloto (the Wanderer) and Bacho Kiro studied in the monastery school. The church built up in the style of the Bulgarian Revival, the icons painted in the style of Tryavna icon-painting school and the great wood-carved iconostasis are remarkable. All the buses going in the direction of Sevlievo stop here.
The village of Batoshevo (at the distance of about 25 km to the north-east of Apriltsi). This is one of the villages whose population took most active part in the April (Novoselo) Uprising. There is a monument to those glorious and tragic days. All the buses passing between Apriltsi and Sev-lievo stop here.
The monument in the Ravni Bunar area (along the northern slopes of Mt. Rousalka, known also as Mt. Mara Gidik, above Ostrets Quarter). Here on 11th May 1876 one of the last battles between the Novoselo rebels with Tsan-ko Dyustabanov at the head and the Turkish hordes pursuing them took place here. It can be reached on foot solely along the marked track from the quarter of Ostrets leading to Mt. Rousalka and the Tuzha Chalet. The town of Apriltsi is one of the most important points of departure for hiking trails around the highest and beautiful part of the Central Stara Planina Mountain - the Kalofer Balkan Mountain, at the head with the leader of the whole mountain – Mt. Botev (refer to the Stara Planina Mountain related chapter herein).
The village of Batoshevo (at the distance of about 25 km to the north-east of Apriltsi). This is one of the villages whose population took most active part in the April (Novoselo) Uprising. There is a monument to those glorious and tragic days. All the buses passing between Apriltsi and Sev-lievo stop here.
The monument in the Ravni Bunar area (along the northern slopes of Mt. Rousalka, known also as Mt. Mara Gidik, above Ostrets Quarter). Here on 11th May 1876 one of the last battles between the Novoselo rebels with Tsan-ko Dyustabanov at the head and the Turkish hordes pursuing them took place here. It can be reached on foot solely along the marked track from the quarter of Ostrets leading to Mt. Rousalka and the Tuzha Chalet. The town of Apriltsi is one of the most important points of departure for hiking trails around the highest and beautiful part of the Central Stara Planina Mountain - the Kalofer Balkan Mountain, at the head with the leader of the whole mountain – Mt. Botev (refer to the Stara Planina Mountain related chapter herein).
