Northwest Bulgaria
The town of Yablanitsa (3312 inhabitants, 420 m above sea level) is picturesquely scattered in between the average size massifs of Dragoitsa and Lissets, offshoots of Stara Planina Mountain, along the banks of Kalenovik River. It is respectively 101 km and 39 km north-east of Sofia and Botevgrad, 28 km north of Etropole, 24 km south of Loukovit, 23 km north-west of Teteven and 65 km south-west of Lovech. The town is famous with its Yablanitsa halva.
History: This area was populated even during the Old Stone, Stone-Copper and Bronze Ages. There are numerous Thracian mounds scattered around the town, part of them being thoroughly explored. The name of the town – Yablanitsa has centuries old history. It was first mentioned in 15th century as Ablanitsa, but the root of the word has Old Bulgarian origin (“ablan” meaning apple tree). During the Turkish rule the village was scattered and divided into quarters, and following the construction of the road from Rouschuk (Rousse) to Sofia, these quarters grouped around it. Its inhabitants were known as the so-called “voinutsi” (partially tax exempted against certain duties to the central authorities), who kept their freedom-loving spirit alive. They took part in the detachments of Philip Totyu, Hadzhi Dimitur, and Stefan Karadzha. In 1873 the Apostle Levski and Dimitur Obshti established a revolutionary committee there. During the Russian-Turkish War of Liberation (1877-1878) its inhabitants actively supported the troops of the Russian Gen. Gurko.The beginning of 18th century gave strong impetus to the development of various crafts, out of which the pottery and halva producing are still very popular for the region. The first church school was opened in 1870. In 1879 the first independent school building was built. Yablanitsa was proclaimed a town in 1969.
Landmarks: The central street attracts the attention of the visitors with its old houses dating back to the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th century, with its nice chestnut trees. A rich museum collection is exhibited in Nauka Community Cultural Centre, a Revival style building (working hours: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.).
Accommodation: Balkanskal Departmental Resort House.
Tourist information is available at the Community Cultural Centre and at the town-hall (in the centre of the town, 5750 Yablanitsa).
Transport: Located along the Hemus motorway (running from Sofia to Varna and Rousse), the town takes advantage of all bus lines, passing through it. Besides a transit stop on some major bus lines, the town has regular bus lines to Teteven, Loukovit, Lovech and other smaller villages. The bus station is at the central square, where also passes the major road connecting the town with the motorway.
The closest railway station is that of Zlatna Panega on the railway line Cherven Bryag - Zlatna Panega (9 km to the north). Bus transport to the railway station is available).
The closest railway station is that of Zlatna Panega on the railway line Cherven Bryag - Zlatna Panega (9 km to the north). Bus transport to the railway station is available).
Surrounding areas: The Glozhenski Monastery “St. Georgi the Victor ” (approximately 10 km south-west of Yablanitsa). There is no such other monastery in Bulgaria, “nestled” on the top of a rocky edge, which looks like a Medieval Castle. It is situated in the Massif of Lisets, immediately to the south high above the village of Glozhene. It was erected in 13th century by the Kiev Prince Glozh, after his escape from South Russia. The prince enjoyed the hospitality of the Assen Brothers and as a gesture of gratitude he built a monastery above the place where he lived, the present village of Glozhene, naming the monastery “St. George the Victorious Kievski”. Out of the numerous manuscripts, drafted there only two were preserved -“The Tale” dedicated to the foundation of the monastery and the “Apostle” dating back to 1689. Vassil Levski was heartily accepted in this monastery as well – his hiding place is kept for the generations nowadays. The devastating earthquake in 1913 seriously damaged the building (destroying completely the old church with precious woodcarvings). Extremely valuable is the ancient icon of St. Georgi the Victor, brought by Prince Glozh from the Kiev-Pechorsk Monastery. It was silver laid in 1826 by the Gabrovo native Ivan Popovich.
The monastery can be reached by car if passing through the village of Malak Izvor (about 10 km away), by bus to the same village and then another hour walk or by bus to the village of Glozhene (12 km) and then having an hour and a half steep hiking.
The Saeva Dupka Cave (14 km north of Yablanitsa and 3 km south of the village of Brestnitsa) is electrified and has numerous very interesting formations in several naturally shaped halls. The entrance fee is just a symbolic one. There is no regular transport, though there is a good asphalt road up to the cave. One can use the regular bus lines to the village of Brestnitsa.
Bezdunniyat Pchelin Precipice Cave (The Bottomless Bee-garden) (5 km north-east of the town) - 105 metres deep and having a hole opening of 25-40 metres. 9 km to the north of Yablanitsa is situated the village of Zlatna Panega, close to which is the famous karst spring Glava Panega, the second large in Bulgaria, after the Devnya karst springs. There are also two small lakes, one above the other, out of which runs the river Panega. The flow is 2000 l/sec and the temperature is constant - 10°-12°C, due to which the lakes never freeze. There are proofs that the waters come through an underground passage from the river Vit. In the village of Batultsi (13 km north-west of the town) there is a House-Museum of Vassil Levski, working hours: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
The monastery can be reached by car if passing through the village of Malak Izvor (about 10 km away), by bus to the same village and then another hour walk or by bus to the village of Glozhene (12 km) and then having an hour and a half steep hiking.
The Saeva Dupka Cave (14 km north of Yablanitsa and 3 km south of the village of Brestnitsa) is electrified and has numerous very interesting formations in several naturally shaped halls. The entrance fee is just a symbolic one. There is no regular transport, though there is a good asphalt road up to the cave. One can use the regular bus lines to the village of Brestnitsa.
Bezdunniyat Pchelin Precipice Cave (The Bottomless Bee-garden) (5 km north-east of the town) - 105 metres deep and having a hole opening of 25-40 metres. 9 km to the north of Yablanitsa is situated the village of Zlatna Panega, close to which is the famous karst spring Glava Panega, the second large in Bulgaria, after the Devnya karst springs. There are also two small lakes, one above the other, out of which runs the river Panega. The flow is 2000 l/sec and the temperature is constant - 10°-12°C, due to which the lakes never freeze. There are proofs that the waters come through an underground passage from the river Vit. In the village of Batultsi (13 km north-west of the town) there is a House-Museum of Vassil Levski, working hours: 8.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
