S TA R A P L A N I N A

The project is co-funded by EU through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria–Serbia Programme.

АD - VISION

ADVENTURE

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Content4-56-78-9

10-1112-1314-1516-19

2021

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IntroAbout projectBallon rideBelogradchik RocksMagura caveChuprene ReserveStara planina Natural parkBikingHikingTimacum minusThe Belogradchik Fortres Borov stoneWater adventuresOrienteeringEventsAccomodationContact

Niš

Pirot

KNJAŽEVAC

KNJAZEVAC

NIS

TIMACUM MINUS

THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

SKI CENTER

BELOGRADCHIK ROCKS

MAGURA

ČUPRENJE

BELOGRADCHIK

STARA PLANINA

SOFIYA

VIDINBELGRADE

Stara Planina

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The Stara planina mountain is a natural border between Bulgaria and Serbia. The border itself is located on Midzor, and to the left and to the right of it you can enjoy the natural beauties, unspoilt nature, hospitality and the warmth of the two nations. The rich history of this region and a lot of customs, authentic villages and a lot of things undiscovered, are a great opportunity for all lovers of adventure and adrenaline.

Whether it is a balloon

ride, hiking, photo

safari, mountain

biking, fishing on clear

streams or any other type of enjoyment

in nature and an active holiday, it

should be known that this is an ideal

way to learn about nature and its

importance. The combination of sport

and nature in any form will “fill” your

battery for new work victories as well as

everyday life that we are all surrounded

with. The local cuisine, untouched

nature, diverse and rich vegetation

and animal life will complete the get

away from the modern way of life, the

noise and the habits we have gained

in quick lifestyles and will awaken the

desire to try out some other category

of adventure tourism and bring you

back into the heart of untouched parts

of nature.And we would like to be your

host.

Intro

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Тhe project’s general objective is to enhance the capacity for sustainable

tourism development of the border destination of Stara Planina. Specific

objectives are: effective mechanisms for sustainable tourism planning

to ensure balanced strategic approach in the multi-stakeholder process

of integrating tourism activities; appropriate levels of management and marketing

capacity so as to match development with market trends; maximize the percentage

ot total trip cost remaining within the local economy by strengthening the cross-

border destination supply chain.

Project title: AD - VISION

Lead Partner:

Association “Regional partnerships for sustainable development – Vidin” (RPSD - Vidin)

Other partner/s:

.Soul of the Balkans;

Association “Authentic Bulgaria”;

Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Knjazevac

Duration (in months): 12

Total budget : 185.984,61 Euro

Project activities:

• Resource inventory and stakeholder identification

• Road map for adventure tourism development

• Conference on responsible tourism development and adventure travel

• Product development seminar

• Event management and marketing seminar

• Orienteering competition

• Competition web-site and mobile application

• Purchase of equipment

• Adventure tourism catalogue

• Film for adventure tourism in Stara Planina/Western Balkans

Project results and outputs: The project will help improve the conditions for

development of adventure tourism in the cross-border region of Stara Planina,

strategic tools will facilitate dialogue between stakeholders and raise the

management capacity of the destination.

Main outputs are the analysis of resources and a roadmap for the development

of adventure tourism, the international conference on sustainable and adventure

tourism, the development of specific tourist product - orienteering competition,

combining several types of adventure tourism, website and mobile application, as

well as a catalogue and film advertising adventure tourism in the project area.

About project

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If you ever want to fly, surrounded

by clouds and enjoy an

unforgettable view from the air,

flying a balloon is the right thing for

you! An exciting flight with a balloon

will lift you high from the ground,

where you will be able to enjoy the

view of the Belogradchik rocks, the

Rabiško jezero (Lake), the Stara planina

(mountain). This is a true paradise for

lovers of adventure and nature, and a

special place for photography.

BALLON RIDEBALLON RIDE

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The rocky phenomenon

“Belogradchik Rocks” is a

landmark of the region.

They represent rock

formations of red-coloured sandstones

and conglomerates, formed about

210 million years ago. They cover a

territory with a length of around 30

km and a width of 3 km, with a total

area of 598.7 ha. Part of the natural

phenomenon “Belogradchik Rocks”

is also the “Lepenishki pech” cave

(also known as “Lepenitsa”), which is

situated about 4 km southeast of the

town of Belogradchik and about 6 km

northwest of the village of Borovitsa, in

the “Markashnitsa” area. The cave has

been formed in the reddish sandstones

- conglomerates, probably about 230

million years ago. A well-marked eco

path leads to the cave. There are plenty

of possibilities for adventure on the

rocks. Many hikers and strollers walk

along this area, and it is also possible to

go by mountain bikes and quads.

Belogradchick Rocks

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It is situated near the village of

Rabisha, 25 km northwest of the

town of Belogradchik. Magurata

is one of the biggest caves in

Bulgaria, as the total length of its

galleries is about 2,500 m and its total

area is over 30,000 sq. m. Naturally

formed “halls”, numerous galleries (the

Triumph Hall, the Bat Gallery, the Hall

of Stalactones, the Gallery with the

Drawings, the Hall of the Fallen Pine,

the Hall of the Poplar, the Throne Hall,

the Ceremonial Hall, the Corridor of

the Fjords), strange shapes of majestic

dimensions (up to 20 m in height and

over 4 m in diameter) and resembling

people, waterfalls, animals, etc., rank it

among the most beautiful caves in the

country. It is famous for its prehistoric

rock drawings dating back to 10,000

BC, and because of that was included in

UNESCO’s preliminary list.

Maguracave

The drawings depict cult and hunting scenes, records of numeric information, dancing female and male figures, two-headed female image, hunters, animals, stars, tools, plants. Filled with mysterious beauty coming from the centuries, it is also the home of protected animal species - more than five species of bats, cave invertebrates, and there are records of discovered fossils suggesting that the area has been inhabited by prehistoric animals - cave bear, hyena, wild horse, etc.

“Magura” is also known for one of the best sparkling wines produced in Bulgaria. One of its halls houses a wine cellar where naturally sparkling wines are produced with the use of a classical technology.

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Chuprene Reserve which

was included in the list

of biosphere reserves in

1977 under the UNESCO’s

Man and the Biosphere Programme;

Protected areas - Midzhur, located on

the land of the village of Gorni Lom

and accessible through an eco path

from the village of Gorni Lom and

Chuprenski buki; natural landmark Left

and Right Suhi Pech Caves. Located

on the land of the village of Dolni

Lom, with a total area of 0.2 ha. It is

characterized by numerous formations

such as marmites, sinter lakes, cave

karren, bat colonies. Right Suhi Pech

is situated about 2 km away from the

village in the southeast direction, on

the Chukata hill. The cave is accessible

for visitors without special equipment.

It has been probably used by the

prehistoric man. Traces of a cave bear

have been found. In the Left Suhi Pech

cave, coins and ceramics from the

Antiquity have been found.

Chuprene Reserve Natural landmark “Gardata”; it is located on the land of the village of Protopopintsi and covers part of the river bed of the Chuprenska river. Degree of accessibility: immediate proximity to road III-114 in the area of the village of Protopopintsi;

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Stara planina Natural park

is located to the east of

Knjazevac and forms a

natural border between

Bulgaria and Serbia. Stara Planina is

almost five months per year under

snow at an altitude between 1,100

and 1,900 meters. Since the mountain

is very important and valuable

natural resource, it was put under

protection by the state in 1997 when

it was proclaimed a park of nature.

During the summer, visitors can

enjoy walking, paragliding, mountain

biking, running and many other

activities. In the winter, the mountain

offers potentials for different winter

sports. Large pastures, beech forests,

clear streams, canyons, cliffs and

waterfalls are some of the treasures of

Stara planina. Today Stara planina is a

protected natural area of the Republic

of Serbia and occupies about 114,000

hectares.

Stara planinaNatural park

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The highest peak of the

Stara planina Natural park

is the Midzor with 2169 m

above sea level. Each year

Mountaineering society Knjaževac

organizes a summer and winter climb

to Midžor. It is a unique opportunity to

experience a part of the Old Mountain in

the company of mountaineers and nature

lovers and feel the spirit of freedom

and true adventure. Babin zub, with a

peak of 1.758 m, is accessible to tourists

and provides a view of one of the most

beautiful landscapes of the Stara planina.

When the winds are favorable, flight with

a paraglider is possible from Babin zub .

This place is a protected nature reserve,

which is also the most famous ski resort

on Stara Planina. It is located only 60 km

from Knjazevac and is accessible from

Belgrade and Nis, through Knjazevac,

Sokobanja, Pirot and Kalna. Mountain

climbing, mountain biking, as well as

the Ultra Trail Stara planina - one of the

biggest and hardest mountain races - is

held on Stara planina.

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For those who like to

spend their holidays

actively, dealing with

sports, with a dose

of adrenaline and adventure

Stara planina is the right place.

However, besides untouched

nature and ideal terrain, there

is a lot of history and culture

in this area. The paths of

adventure are also the paths

of history, where our ancestors

found the sources of life,

where they were born and

died, and made progress to

their descendants.

The Old Mountain has

always lived with its

inhabitants. It grew

and developed in

community with people, creating

sounds and images, buildings and

monasteries, stories and legends,

material and immaterial cultural

heritage. Traces of large and rich

empires are found on all sides of

the Old Mountain. The adventure

begins with cave paintings, through

fortresses, to sacral objects, and in

the end it is just imagination.

HIKINGBIKING

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At eight kilometers from

Knjazevac, in the village

of Ravna, on the shore of

the Beli Timok (river), the

Romans built a military fortress, the

oldest in the Timok region. They had

their camp, the barn, the spa. Thanks

to the Archaeological Institute from

Belgrade and the Regional Museum

from Knjazevac, the true picture of

this site began to be discovered in

1975. The fortification dates back

to the first century of our era and

dates back to Justinian’s reign of

the Empire in the sixth century.

Archaeologists have discovered that

the earliest and most significant

traces of the presence of Romans

in this region are located in Ravna.

Not far from the fortress there is

also the Archeo-Ethno Park, in the

yard of the village school where the

lapidarium is located, the objects of

folk architecture, as well as the wine

museum.

TimacumMinus

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The Belogradchik Fortress

is among the most well-

preserved fortresses in the

country and represents

a solid architectural and historical

monument of culture. It is located

at an altitude of 610 m above sea

level on an area of 10,000 sq. m. It

occupies a strategic place between

the Balkan Mountain passes “Sveti

Nikola” and “Belogradchishki prohod”

(“Kadiboaz”). It was constructed in

the 1st-3rd century BC as a small

fortress. Archaeological studies

have led to the discovery of wall

foundations, fragments of ceramics,

iron peaks of spears and arrows,

coins of the Roman Emperors

Vespasian, Trajan, Septimius Severus,

Gordian III, Decius Trajan. Its strategic

importance has also been assessed

by the ruler of Vidin, Ivan Stratsimir

/1356-1396/. During his rule, it was

further fortified and extended. Two

defensive walls /to the southeast

and to the northwest/ and ancillary

facilities were built.

The Belogradchik Fortress

In 1396, the Belogradchik Fortress was captured by the Ottomans and partially destroyed. Its complete reconstruction and expansion began in 1805 and was completed in 1837. The newly built fortification walls reach a height of 12 meters, a width of 2,5 meters in its base, and are made of well-processed white stone blocks linked with mortar.

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Borov stone area is a

group of rocks, part

of Belogradchik rocks,

which is most famous

for the Borov stone rock - one of

the biggest rocks in this group.

Borov stone rock has acquired

its name from a pine rising on its

top in the past, which was burnt

down in a fire, but the name of

the rock remained unchanged.

This is also a pleasant picnic

area, where travellers could

rest, enjoying the energy and

outstanding views this place

offers. Near the Rock is situated

the Red church “St. Trininty”,

which used to be and currently is

a monastery. It was build in 1866

and its red colour comes from

the the building ingredients -

the red stones around it.

Borovstone

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Rabiško Lake is the largest

lake in the interior of

Bulgaria, located between

the villages of Tolovica and

Rabiša, in the area of Belogradčik.

Its depth reaches 10 -15 m. The

local valley is formed by the melting

of underground layers, whose

bottom is subsequently filled with

large amounts of water. This is an

extremely rare natural anomaly and

it has tectonic origin. However, in

the past, people thought this was a

bottomless lake, and that the water

is leaving the same way it springs.

The lake provides perfect conditions

for windsurfing and swimming and

has a well-designed beach, making

it particularly attractive for tourists.

About 100 meters from the southern

shore of the lake, there is a well-

organized camping area. Fishermen

can enjoy their free time, because

carp, amur and catfish can be caught

here.

Wateradventures

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1. #Belogradchik square2. #Adam and Eva3. #The Bear4. #The Schoolgirl5. #The Lion6. #The Eye7. # The Monks8. #Fortress “Kaleto”9. # Sun sanctuary 10. #The Mushrooms11. #Belogradchik square

1. #Belogradchik square2. #Adam and Eva3. #The Bear4. #The Schoolgirl5. #The Red rock6. #The Eagle7. #Round stone 8. #The Mother goddess and the Couple in love9. #The Lion10. #The Eye11. #The Monks

12 . #Fortress “Kaleto”13. #Sun sanctuary14. #The Mushrooms15. #Belogradchik square

Distance: 5.340 mLevel: EasyTerrain: Flatland

Distance: 9.320 mLevel: NoviceTerrain: Hills

Distance: 15.000 mLevel: ProTerrain: Hills

Biking and Hiking Bulgaria

points of the application gives

you new tasks and so on to the

goal. Compare your time with

other participants on the website

advision.one. Each checkpoint on

this race represents one landmark

on Stara Planina Mountain. Share

your beautiful photos through the

application with us, and discover a

lot of interesting things about the

Old Mountain.

Orienteering

Take a look from

the most beautiful

viewpoints, walk

to the end of some

of the many cultural and

historical sites walking or

riding a bicycle. Download the

mobile application “ADVISION

Orienteering Competition” and

start the adventure. Choose a

race and the adventure begins,

passing through the check

www.advision.one

More informationwww.advision.one/event1bg

More informationwww.advision.one/event2bg

More information:www.advision.one/event3bg

Route no 1

Route no 2

Route no 3

1. #Belogradchik square2. #The Eagle3. #Round stone 4. #The Mother goddess and the Couple in love5. #Sancturary Markashnitsa 16. #First gate to Lepenitsa7. #Star map8. #Second gate to Lepenitsa9. # Site with remnants of megalith 10. # Lepenitsa cave11. #The Colossus

12. #Distribution opening13 # The Resonators14. # The Sphinx of Mar-kashnitsa15. # Astronomical instrument and light aperture 16. #Sancturary Markashnitsa 317. #God of sex18. #Belogradchik square

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The competition in

orienteering on the

grounds of Stara

Planina is held in

Bulgaria and the Serbian side

of the mountain. Trails are

designed to approach each

competitor by weight, and they

can be crossed by foot or by

bicycle. Checkpoints on the track

represent one of the sights or

natural beauty.

www.advision.one

Distance: 14.000 mLevel: ProTerrain: Brdski

Distance: 11.000 mLevel: NoviceTerrain: Brdski

Distance: 5.000 mLevel: EasyTerrain: Brdski

Biking and Hiking Serbia

More information:www.advision.one/event1sr

More informationwww.advision.one/event2sr

More informationwww.advision.one/event3sr

Route no 1

Route no 2

Route no 3

1. #Scholl Berilovac 2. #Preslap skretanje za Sedlar3. #Sedlar4. #Blato5. #Jabučko ravnište 6. #Skretanje za Pl. dom7. #Planinarski dom 8. #Restoraunt Plaža

1. #Restoraunt Plaža 2. #Planinarski dom 3. #Vidikovac 4. #Skretanje za Pl.dom5. #Jabučko ravnište6. #Jabučko (koliba do kraja)7. #Rudina8. #Babin zub rock9. #Vrh sidra10. #Restoraunt Plaža

1. #Restoraunt Plaža 2. #Planinarski dom 3. #Vidikovac 4. #Rudina 5. #Babin zub rock 6. #Vrh sidra 7. #Restoran Plaža

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There are numerous

cultural and

entertainment events

on the territory of the

municipalities of Stara Planina. For

57 years, the Youth Culture Festival

of Serbia in Knjaževac is held, the

Prayer under the Midzor is on the

UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural

Heritage, and for the two nations

one of the most important events

is the Convocation on Kadibogaz,

when the borders disappear for

a few days. You can not miss the

Opera of the peacks - Belogradchik

rocks, as well as the Turkish folklore

custom “Kada kum prase i ti vrecu”

in the municipality of Čuprenje.

Events

Youth Culture Festival Serbia has been organized for more than five decades. It is a unique festival of supreme achievements of young people in music, poetry, theater arts, film, painting, photography, comics.The Festival was founded at the initiative of Knjazevac students in 1962. Since then, every July, Knjazevac becomes an unavoidable point in the cultural map of the country on account of this event. Many of the well known artists of todaybegan to build their career precisely here, on the stage in Knjazevac.Some of the famous artists who started their career here are the musicians Stefan Milenkovic, Mirjana Karanovic, the rock bands “Galija”, “Kerber,” “Riblja corba” and many others.

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It is the biggest and most agreeable

cultural event in the municipality

of Čuprenje. The main goal of the

festival is to preserve and give young

people the tradition of folklore. Every

year, the event gathers amateurs from

the whole northwestern region as

well as groups from Sofia, Zlatica and

other cities of Bulgaria. The festival

lasts for 3 days.

Summer Festival “Opera on the

Tops - Belogradchik Rocks”. It is

held every year in late July and

early August at the initiative

of Sofia Opera and Ballet and

Belogradchik Municipality. The

performances are held in the fort,

the cave Magura, as well as in

Vidin.

It is event of economic and

touristic importance, and a

traditional feast which is

organized every year on St.

George’s Day (May 6th) in the

villages of Vrtovac and Balta

Berilovac, at the gates of Stara

Planina. St. George is a feast of

joy which celebrates the

forces of nature and spring.

The two town-twins municipalities,

Knjazevac from Serbia and Belogradcik

from Bulgaria, have fostered

economic, cultural, tourist and sports

cooperation for years. Kadibogaz

gathering is the meeting place for

two towns and nations, taking place

in the village districts of Novo Korito,

in Serbia, and Salas in Bulgaria, on the

very borderline.

Kad kum prase a ti vreću

”Kad kum prase a ti vreću”

Opera of the peacks - Belogradchik rocks

Prayer under Midzor The Convocation on Kadibogaz,

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In the municipalities of Knjaževac and Belogradčik there are hotel accommodation

of a more luxurious category, but also a large number of smaller facilities, both for

rural and hostels, motels and the similarly. Hotel Stara planina on Stara Planina,

Hotel Skale in Belogradchik are the most famous accommodation facilities.

Accommodation facilities are also available in Čuprenje.

More information about accommodation on the website www.advision.one

AccommodationLead Partner:

Association “Regional partnerships for sustainable development –

Vidin” (RPSD - Vidin)

Pho. +359 94 600 017; e-mail: vidin_rpur@abv.bg

Other partner/s:

Soul of the Balkans, Knjaževac

Pho +381 19 731 379; e-mail: duhbalkana@gmail.com

Association “Authentic Bulgaria”, Sofiya

Pho. +359 877 766 755; e-mail: info@authenticbulgaria.org

Tourist Organization of the Municipality of Knjazevac, Knjaževac

Pho. +381 19 735 230; e-mail: toknjazevac@mts.rs

Sabor na Kadibogazu

Dve pobratimljene opštine, opština Knjaževac iz Srbije i opština Belogradčik iz

Bugarske, godinama neguju ekonomsku, kulturnu, turističku i sportsku saradnju.

Druženje dve varoši i dva naroda kulminira svakog leta Saborom na Kadibogazu,

u ataru knjaževačkog sela Novo Korito i sela Salaš sa bugarske strane granice. Tri

dana granica se prelazi bez pasoša, druže se prijatelji, sretnu se rođaci, zapeva se i

zaigra, kupuje se i prodaje se. Sabor na Kadibogazu najveći je prekogranični sabor na

BalkanuThis publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union through the Interreg-IPA CBC Bulgaria-Serbia Programme, CCI No 2014TC16I5CB007. The contents of this publication are the sole

responsibility of the Association “Soul of the Balkans” Knjaževac and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Managing Authority of the Programme.

www.advision.one