Nesting in the skirts of the Stara Planina Mountain, the centre of the district − Vratsa, fascinates all visitors with its unique natural sites, its traditions and rich cultural-historical heritage.

In various historical times Vratsa has developed as significant social, trade and cultural centre. The signs of human activity on these lands date back to the Neolithic Age. The first inhabitants − the Thracian tribe of triballi, developed an eminent material culture, remains of which are still found on that territory. The unique findings, uncovered during some archeological excavations on the Mogilanska Mound in Vratsa, in the villages of Buklyovtsi and Rogozen bring rich information on the flourishing ancient civilization. They are amongst the most significant findings nationwide, with great scientific value concerning the history of Thracians.

In the times of the Roman Empire, because of the geographical and strategic significance of the lands around the Iskar River Gorge, an inapproachable fortress was erected, controlling the shortest way from the Danube to the South and the West and also leading towards the rich ore deposits high up in the Vratsa Mountain. On the ruins of the fortress the Slavs built up a settlement and named it Vratitsa. It is considered to have come from the symbolic for the town mountain pass Vratsata, which presents two parallel, high vertical rocks, resembling a door (“vrata” is stands for “door” in Bulgarian). There the name of the town comes from − Vratsa.

During the Revival period a lot of noble figures meet here and left lasting marks in politics, diplomacy, the national-liberation movement, in culture and education. In Vratsa lived one of the first Bulgarian national revival figures − Sofroniy Vrachanski (Sophronius of Vratsa). Being a leader of the revival and cleric, Sofroniy Vrachanski initiated the modern Bulgarian literature. He popularized his work in Romania, where he was accepted as a noted representative of Bulgarian community. His famous transcript of Istoriya Slavyanobolgarskaya (The Slav-Bulgarian History), written by Paisiy Hilendarski (Paisius of Hilendar) in 1762, is preserved nowadays in the Library of the Romanian Academy of sciences.

The town of Vratsa is connected to one of the greatest national heroes of the liberation movement of the 19th century, a genius poet and revival worker − Hristo Botev, who found his death in the Vrachanski Balkan. In honour of his feat, a 12-meter monument stands in the central square and has already turned into one of the most significant symbols of the town.

Inherited treasures of ancient cultures and civilizations, today the town of Vratsa follows its motto: „Town much alike the Balkan, ancient and young”. The town nowadays has a modern outlook and a look, opened to the values of modern Europe. The citizens of Vratsa are ready to accept the challenges of modern globalized world, to communicate and work in cooperation with their Romanian neighbours.

The territory of the district of Vratsa embraces part of the Danube plain and parts of the Stara Planina Mountain. It is crossed today by two trans-European transport corridors − № 7 and № 4. Big ports on the Danube are Oryahovo, with a functioning ferry Oryahovo − Bechet, and Kozloduy. According to the data from the 2011 national census the district is inhabited by 186 848 people. 61 392 are the residents of the town of Vratsa. The population is considerably homogeneous concerning ethnicity − 92 % have defined themselves as representatives of the Bulgarian ethnic group. The predominant religion is the Eastern orthodox Christianity.

The relief of the region is various − vast plains and lowlands that favour the intense development of agriculture, hilly and low mountain elevations, where vineyards and orchards are grown. The beautiful beech forests and pastures are used for the development of logging and stock-breeding. As a rich Karst area of various forms −hollows, caves and high mountainous walls of Alpine type, the region is favourable for mountaineering and is favourite place for climbers. Numerous national and international competitions in rock climbing are held and for these here come fans of extreme sports from all over Europe. Drops by parachute, delta- and paragliding are organized from the chalet of Okolchitsa.

The rich cultural-historical heritage, the traditions and customs of the Vratsa people attract tourists from Bulgaria and abroad. A lot of festivals are organized to get the guests of the town and the district acquainted to the spirit and traditions of Vratsa: „National festival of the miniature theatre forms”, „International Youth Musical Forum”, „International folklore festival − Vrachansa prolet”, „Spring Folklore Holiday”, the custom „Kalusha” in the village of Harlets, etc.

Most popular are the annual „Botevi Dni” (Botev’s Days) from May 25th till June 2nd, accompanied by a rich cultural programme: contests, exhibitions and concerts. Each year during this period a march following the steps of Botev and his detachment are organized, continuing for seven days and the participants cover a distance of 120 km walking from the bank of Kozloduy to the peak of Okolchitsa in the Vrachanski Balkan Mountain. Thus the memory about the feat of Hristo Botev is maintained alive forever. In 1876 the great poet-revolutionary gathered a detachment among the Bulgarian emigrants in Romania, attempting to include in the uprising against the Ottoman rulers that had begun. He led the rebels to the Romanian ports of Zimnicea, Turnu Măgurele, Corabia, Bechet and Giurgiu. The revolutionaries embarked the Austrian steamship „Radetzky”, crossed the Danube and disembarked on the Bulgarian bank by Kozloduy. Then they entered harsh battles against the Ottoman posse. The peak of Okolchitsa in the Vrachanski Balkan Mountain turned into their Golgotha. Within the Botev’s Days, the Day of the town of Vratsa is also celebrated. Tattoo under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria is held every year on June 1st on the central square by the monument of the great poet-revolutionary.

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Let’s meet our neighbours with „Welcome to the District of Vratsa“

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Vratsa is situated in the territory of the Natural Park of Vrachanski Balkan. Nestled in the foothills of the Stara Planina Mountain, cut through by the peacefully running through it the River of Leva, the town is inspiration for the capricious eye of the artist and a challenge for the imagination of the architect. Here the mountain starts from the central square near the imposing monument of Hristo Botev. This unique fusion of the town with nature is characteristic of all local people’s favorite places.

The biggest historical museum in the Northwest of Bulgaria is placed in the centre of the town. Beside the Rogozhen treasure, the Mogilanska Mound treasure is preserved there as well as the plate with the oldest writing in the world, the oldest skeleton, found in Europe and other findings out of the world cultural-historical heritage. Just several tens of meters away are the medieval towers − „The Meshchiite Tower” and „The Kurtpashovata Tower”, and the Ethnographic-Revival complex „Saint Sofroniy Vrachanski”. It comprises three different houses, constructed about two centuries ago and the Revival school „Vaznesenie” (Ascension). From the Hristo Botev square the visitors climb up some steps leading to the Chalet and the monument „The Herald of Freedom”, from where a magnificent panoramic view to the whole town opens.

Only fifteen minutes away from the center of the town cost to reach the natural phenomenon and symbol of Vratsa − the pass Vratsata, which is heaven for mountaineers and nature lovers. 16 km to the West one can find one of the most beautiful caves, Ledenika. This unique natural formation is a tourist site of international significance. It consists of three halls − Anteroom, Small hall and Concert hall. White frost can be seen on the walls of the halls and the water drops falling from the ceiling freeze to create an enchanting ice decoration. The Concert hall is the pearl of the cave – it strikes with its big dimensions, lavish cave decoration and unique acoustics. This is the very place, where the first concerts underground are held in Bulgaria.

From the vicinities of the town the route of the Vrachanska eco-trail starts, leading the lovers of nature to the foot of the Borov kamak waterfall. Each visitor in the district of Vratsa goes to the unique natural site „Bozhya most” (“The God’s Bridge”). The rock phenomenon is situated in the Chirensko-Lilyashki Karst area, 15 km away from the town of Vratsa. The length of the phenomenon is 120 m and its height is almost 20 m and it has the form of an arch, under which three small lakes shine, reflecting the thin beams sneaking through the narrow clefts of the rocks.

A lot of industry branches are developed in Vratsa: textile, tailoring, food-procession, made of construction materials, furniture manufacture, light industry, machine-building, metallurgy and metal-processing, etc.

There are various sized trade sites around the town as well as huge business centres, markets and show-rooms. The following big companies have branches in the town: Kaufland, Billa, Technopolis, Technomarket, Zora, T Market, Lidl, Penny market, Mebeli Aron and DM, „Sumi” is the biggest business centre in the town.

Kozloduy nuclear power plant is the first nuclear power plant in Bulgaria and in Southeastern Europe. It is the leading business organization in the district of Vratsa. Kozloduy NPP is the only nuclear power plant in Bulgaria and the biggest producer of electricity in Bulgaria, ensuring more than one third of the national annual electricity production. The nuclear power plant has the largest share in the national electricity production.

The Swiss company „Holcim” stepped for the first time on the Bulgarian market with the privatization of the cement factory “Beloizvorski Cement” by the village of Beli izvor, Vratsa region. The company is part of the world leader in the production of cement, inert materials and concrete. The cement factory in the village of Beli izvor is part of Holcim Bulgaria JSC, having quality certificates after the Bulgarian and European standards.

„Messer Chimco Gas” is leading supplier of technical gases and equipment worldwide. Its activity is oriented towards unique technological solutions, developed according to the requirements and needs of each client.

The outside and the local investors cab rely on the institutions in the town, because they function in favour of the business: Trade and Industrial Chamber, Euro info centre, Industrial chamber, etc. An underground gas depository functions on the territory of the district of Vratsa. The region is a significant grain-yielding centre. An ecologically clean area is forming to the North of Vratsa, being pre-condition for the production of high quality food products. The companies that have municipal share service the citizens − “Troleibusen transport” (Trolley-bus transport), “Obshtinski pazari I tarzhishta“ (Municipal markets and market-places), “BKS”, “Obredni deinosti” (Ritual activities).

There are certain pre-conditions in the district of Vratsa for regional development. Here live a sufficient number of prepared experts with high and higher education. The network of central heating is well developed and the telecommunications are in good shape. The municipal administration is implementing project for renewal of the water-supply network − „Water Cycle”. The district of Vratsa has clearly defined ambitions for further development in the new condition of European Union membership, following its goals for seeking and attracting investments and opening of new working positions.

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Mito Orozov was born in 1859 in Vratsa. He was self-educated industrialist, manufacturer of the famous Vratsa cabriolets and carriages, significant social figure, cultural worker and symbol of the spirit of entrepreneurship of the people of Vratsa.

Born in a craftsman’s family, Mito Orozov started as apprentice in the smithy of Master Angel Yotsov. For the public, iron stoves and stove pipes were made there, but in the backyard they assembled weapons. Later on the young man, who had already gained some self-confidence, made the first Vratsa souvenirs − cigarette cases and canes, achieving the stage, where he produced cars, carriages and cabriolets that gained popularity around Bulgaria and Europe. A man of sharp intelligence, granite will, restless spirit and golden hands and careful owner – this is the way his heirs and town mates remember him. Self-educated, of natural talent and great master’s gift, he managed only by the means of a small saw and knife to made the most complicated element. 1883 is his starry year. His greatest dream became true, to open his own cartwright’s workshop, grown up later to a factory. He attracted masters, woodworker and dyer foreigners, whom he paid five times bigger wages than the average for their professionalism. He himself developed and introduced some ten new models of vehicles, called Vratsa’s. The orders are completed after a catalogue. He first drew up a regulation for his students in cartwright’s and smithery.

When the Vratsa’s Mito Orozov brought golden medal from London, where he amazed the foreigners with his cabriolets and carriages, that was no wonder to anyone. He had already participated in the First Bulgarian trade exhibition in Plovdiv. His vehicles are among the most impressive and for them he got prize from the next editions of exhibits in Plovdiv and Ruse.

Perspicacious and honest, void of vanity, noble by heart, Mito Orozov contributed to the modernization of Bulgaria. He is among the notables of Vratsa, one of the founders of chitalishte (cultural home) “Razvitie” (development in translation), chairman of the Popular bank in the town. He was indisputable authority for his time − member of the Sofia trade-industrial chamber and chairman of the Vratsa industrialists union. Even messengers of the giant Henry Ford looked for access to the Vratsa master with the idea for cooperation in the vehicles manufacture.

Today a collection of his elegant cabriolets and carriages is exhibited in the Ethnographic museum − the so called „Museum of Carriages”. The deed of his life Mito Orozov has left as heritage and mark of his talent and sense for entrepreneurship.

In the Northern part of the village of Harlets’s land, in the direction of the Danube, the remains of the early Byzantine fortress Augusta are found, dating back to the late antiquity. It is one kilometer away from the village in the area Kaleto.

A legend tells about a shepherd, who grazed his flock near the fortress. The shepherds started back home, together with them started also grandfather Petko. As he was walking and skillfully turning around his shepherd’s crook, he suddenly stopped, startled by a sudden fearful crash − as if a thunder split the earth. And what the old man saw was that white glow was embracing the old Augusta fortress across the river, from the ground up to the sky. So from faraway did grandfather Petko saw that the heavy iron gate, locked by a huge padlock unknowingly when, opened, and bright blinding light flashed as a lightning. He stepped into the water, crossed the river and entered Augusta through the iron gate.

What a view opened before his eyes: measureless treasure shone as sun. Big and small earthen jars overfilled with white silver coins, copper, gold and silver pots, magnificent jewels shone with their unearthly splendor. A golden-haired beautiful lady was sitting on a gold chair, weaving gold cloth. The shepherd approached her and a moment before starting to speak to her, a fearful voice echoed around the fortress: "You, man, do not force your luck! Take as much as you can carry and go away! If the gates close, they will open not earlier than a hundred years from now!"

Grandfather Petko rushed off and the moment he stepped over the threshold, the gate closed with a thunder. Was this a dream or something?! He opened his clenched fist and several shining coins rolled over from it. With a beating heart the old man told the other shepherds about the miracle and his luck to enter and see the measureless treasures through a gate that opens once in thousand years.

The early Byzantine town preserves the legend about the mysterious fortress and the treasures of late antiquity culture. Augusta is announced archeological monument of culture. There is a belief that everyone, who visited the fortress, would enjoy prosperity and good luck.

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