VRATZA

The beautiful town of Vratza is located just 116km away from the capital-Sofia at an altitude of 370m. Just like some other Bulgarian cities Vratza has a history passing through thoudsands of years and serval historical ages.

The nature park 'Vrachanski Balkan' is very famous and visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year. It also offers wonderful opportunities for hiking and the richest cave in the country. Along the northen stone cliff slopes of Vanachanska Mountain with an area of 1,453 is situated reverse Vrachan ski karst. The nature landmarks and protected territories in the park are worth visiting. Vratzata is the highest vertical limestone cliff on the Balkan Peninsula and in Europe at this altitude and Ledenika is the first urbanized cave in Bulgaria with the first registere cave inhabitant. Skakjia is the highest waterfall in Bulgaria and Lakatniski Rocks is the richest and most well-situated cave fauna in Bulgaria.

The park has picked up a lot of witnesses events, facts remnantsand cultural monuments over the years. Just south of Vratza is Okolchitza Peak, where Hristo Botev, one of the most romantic, famous and beloved figures in Bulgaria's struggle for liberation met his death. He was a revolutionary leader as well as a poet, known for his patriotic verses. Botev formed a troop to lend assistance to the April Rising in 1876. He was ans is still respected by all Bulgarians even thoug he is not among us.

All Bulgarians are thankful and greatful that a person like him once lived and did everything possible he could do for our freedom from the Turks. Vratza is like the rest of Bulgaria-just worth visiting and if you want to know more about the Bulgarian history that is the place to find out more if you wish to.