NATURAL RESOURCES
The natural tourist resources are the result of natural patterns and their characteristics, and are largely dependent on geographical location.
The climate in Georgi Damyanovo Мunicipality is temperate-continental with an average annual temperature of 11,4 degrees Celsius, the region experiences heavy rainfall and numerous sunny days.
The presence of various soil-forming factors, in combination with climatic conditions, has led to the formation of different soil types. These include dark grey and grey forest soils, meadow soils, and in the mountainous region, forest soils and alluvial-fallow soils on the terraces of the many rivers.
Out of 264 municipalities, Georgi Damyanovo is the most ecologically clean, as demonstrated by air, soil and water quality indicators.
The natural complex of moderate mountain climate, healing and fortifying conditions, diverse but relatively poor soils, good water potential and mountainous terrain are all favourable factors for the overall development of the municipality.
The municipality’s forestry stock total 160,000 acres and is considered a prime resource of strategic importance due to its high recreational, ecological and aesthetic potential, which is currently underutilised. Forests with a history of over 100 years cover 8-9% of the Bulgarian forested area, but the biologically mature ones are only one third of them. This means that a significant part of the rare tree species are actually threatened with extinction.
The centuries-old beech forests, clean and lively rivers and streams supplying drinking and irrigation water to the settlements and, most of all, the clean air are extremely favourable for forest management, livestock development, orchard and vineyard cultivation.
The area’s natural assets, including centuries-old beech forests, clean and lush rivers and streams supplying drinking and irrigation water to the settlements, and the area’s clean air, are highly favourable for forest management, livestock development, and the cultivation of orchards and vineyards.
The relatively easy and accessible mountain is great for hunting and hiking tourism.
The structure of land resources have been assessed as underutilised due to declining and ageing population, as well as the absence of financial resources for agricultural development in the municipality.
The underground water resources are 852 l/s. Determinant importance has The Dalgodelska Ogosta River, together with its tributaries the Slatinska River, the Kopilovska Ogosta River, the Lopushanska River and other minor rivers and streams.
The Ogosta River is registered by UNESCO as an ecological and nature reserve.
The territory of the municipality is included within two Natura 2000 protected areas:
Protected site ‘West Balkan’ with code BG0002002 under EU Directive 79/409 for the conservation of wild birds.
‘Western Balkan and Pre-Balkan’ with code BG000104 under EU Directive 92/43 on the conservation of natural habitats.
On the territory of the municipality there are two protected sites declared as such under the Protected Areas Act:
Protected site ‘Kopren, Ravno Buche, Dayanitsa, Kalimanitsa’ – land of Kopilovtsi village – declared a protected area by Order №3751/1973 of Ministry of Forestry and Environmental Protection with total area of 536,4 hectares of forest.
Protected site ‘Usketo’ – located in the Dalgi del area of Western Balkan at 1550 m above sea level, at the upper boundary of the forest and is a natural centuries-old spruce forest, a remnant of the coniferous forests that once existed here. The site was initially declared a reserve in 1949, covering an area of 1.9 hectares. However, due to its relatively small size, it was later reclassified as a protected site by Order №802/1992 of the Ministry of Environment.
Natural sights:
‘Bear Hole’ cave, Kamenna Riksa village
‘Durshin waterfall’- Kopilovtsi village
‘Voden skok’ waterfall – Kopilovtsi village
‘Ladzhin skok’ waterfall – Kopilovtsi village
‘Razhena bara’ waterfall – Elovitsa village
waterfall, Dalgi del village, Strashki dol area
century-old trees / winter oak, beech /
In the land of Elovitsa village are identified rock formations, may be cave entrances, but are not researched / Asanov hole and Paunova hole in the area of Shurdanitsa and The Pit in the area of Kostina chuka.
Peak Shurdanitsa / 950 m above sea level/ – measured the highest content of oxygen in the air. The area is within the Ogosta River, a UNESCO natural landmark.
Chemerikovtsi area / the land of Melyane village/ – situated among the pyasachni (sand) ventsi Marinkov venets and Popov venets, the area has a cave, rare fern species.
Lipe area / the land of Melyane village/
The Ogosta River – the legend say that the river is gold-bearing. In Roman times in the valley gold has been mined from Popov venets to Bukov dol, mining was developed. The river carries the name of the Roman emperor Augustus.
‘Gadishte’ area /Kaleto/ – Govezhda village – high peak from the south part of the village, the legend says that from there the caverns had been setting off with mined gold.
Varloto spring, Pradancha area – 6 km from Govezhda village. Near the spring was found a small cave.
A common phenomenon is the mutual penetration of anthropogenic and natural resources in the tourist destinations.
Places, representing a resource for creation of tourist product on the territory of Georgi Damyanovo Мunicipality are:
The Lopushanski monastery ‘St. John The Baptist’- monument of the culture with national meaning
‘St. George The Victorious’ Church, Gavril Genovo village – created in 1872 by craftsman Aleko from Chelyustnitsa village and the two Fandakovi brothers from Samokov. During the period 1960-70 the church had been completely robbed, the missing icons are not found. In 1998 it has been repaired and renovated.
‘St. Apostles Peter and Paul’ Church, Dalgi del village. Build in 1882, unique stone construction. According to the art historian Ivanka Gergova, hieromonk Makarios had painted the icons with the royal order of the iconostasis.
Renovated and functioning churches in the villages of Kopilovtsi, Glavanovtsi, Diva Slatina, Kamenna Riksa
Place for relaxation ‘Mladenin vir’, Dalgi del village – place for picnic, natural well and built fountain. Legend has it that the water has healing properties. Every second Saturday of August there is organized the Balkan Festival.
Winery ‘Lopushna’ – private property, modernized in 2005-2006
Winery ‘Lopushna’ in situated in Georgi Damyanovo village. As a territory with unique nature Georgi Damyanovo Municipality is a very good prerequisite for the production of environmentally clean wines. The high natural value of the region raises its activity greatly and creates new opportunities for the popularization and the development of every type of tourism. ‘Winery Lopushna’ JSC is receiver of receiver of the Wine cellar of Georgi Damyanovo village, built in 1936. Thirty years later, with the efforts and hard work by the miners of Chiprovtsi mine from the city bearing the same, start construction of a tunnel in the existing rock of the territory of the cellar. The tunnel is 47,5m long and 4,5m wide, and creates the opportunity for storage for aging and maturing of 100 tons of wine. Year-round the temperature is maintained at 12 °C. Forced ventilation has been installed and constant humidity is maintained, which is necessary for the proper storage of high-quality wines.
Museums and galleries
In the center of Georgi Damyanovo village is located the house-museum ‘Georgi Damyanov’, in which are uncovered different stages from the life and career of the patron of the Georgi Damyanovo village.
In Melyane village, 2 km away from the Lopushanski monastery lives and creates the painter-woodcarver Chavdar Antov. His workshop is the old village school, with which Chavdar has made miracles. The craftsman’s workshop is on the first floor- the kingdom, in which rule pieces of wood and variety of tools, artistically scattered around the carpenter’s table.
Here you’ll find a cozy and lively gallery, in which are put up paintings, photographs, sculptures from wood and metal, and old artifacts, connected with Melyane’s past.
In 2020 Chavdar Antov was awarded the title ‘Honorary citizen of Georgi Damyanovo Municipality’.
ACCOMMODATION AND PLACES TO STAY
Kopren Hut
The Kopren hut is located 6 km from the village of Kopilovtsi. It is a one-story building with a capacity of 15 beds, divided into 5 rooms, each with its own bathroom. The hut has running water and electricity, and has been recently repaired and renovated. Heating is provided by central wood-fired radiators. There is kitchen and cafeteria. The road leading to the building is asphalted, and there is parking available.
Guest house ‘Kristi’, Kopilovtsi village
Guest house ‘Kristi’ has bed base with capacity for 20 people.
It is located in Kopilovtsi village. Mountain hiking and fresh air enjoyers will find this place fitting their ideas of a relaxing holiday.
The house is situated by the village’s exit, and the road from there lead to the Koprenski Balkan. It has indoors barbecue, which has a separate kitchen area and gives our guests the opportunity to prepare their own meals.
Boutique Hotel ‘Ilitsa’ – Gavril Genovo village
Boutique hotel ‘Ilitsa’ is located in Gavril Genovo village, 47 km from Kom Peak.
It offers rooms with seasonal outside pool, garden, and common lounge. Guests can make use of the room service, restaurant and terrace.
Guest house ‘Gorski tsar’ (Forest king)
Guest house ‘Gorski tsar’ is located in the region of Memorial complex ‘Balova shuma’ – Gavril Genovo village. It offers accommodation facilities, children’s area, big enclosed yard for games and relaxation. Guests have access to a large hall for celebrations and a small tavern.
Folklore, festivities, and customs – Community centres in the villages of Kopilovtsi, Govezhda, Dalgi del, Georgi Damyanovo, Melyane, Kamenna Riksa, Gavril Genovo and Diva Slatina organise cultural events, such as recreating traditional regional festivals and customs, with singing and theatre groups. Every year in August, the inhabitants of the municipality of Georgi Damyanovo celebrate the Festival of the Balkan at the ‘Kopren’ hut below the Kopren Peak in Kopilovtsi village, as well as in the ‘Mladenin vir’ area in Dalgi del village. In June, the traditional folklore gathering ‘Svidnya’ takes place in the ‘Popov Most’ area, with the motto „Let’s revive the tradition, let’s preserve the native!“.