About two hours from Sofia lies a plateau with numerous sites to visit. It is the Devetaki Plateau (Devetashko plateau in Bulgarian). It is surprising the lack of tourist crowds in these unknown lands. Caves, niches, and waterfalls abound, as it is a karst region. It's not only the nature that's worthwhile, but also the local people who awaken ancient traditions and keep alive the thread of peasant life, ecological and environmentally responsible.
We are welcome at the Herb House in Gorsko Slivovo village.
Тhe old Karpachevo school is transformed into modern accommodation and a quality restaurant ("Ongal").
The old Karpachevo mill was restored and modernized. Еvents such as workshops, concerts, and all kinds of meetings can be organized in a spectacular and welcoming atmosphere.
The tour can begin at the most famous and well-visited sites: Devetashka Cave and Krushuna Waterfalls.
And it's a good start. The establishment of the "Devetashka Plato" association aims to bring to the attention of the world numerous other attractions and points of interest that could complete the image of the region in an enriching way. It's worth staying a few more days to learn about their stories and legends. With the INHERIT project inherit, we have access to digitalized information on a selection of points of interest in the region, organized into three thematic routes: The Heritage Trail, The Time Trail, and the Beauty in Nature Trail (trails). The challenge is to listen to the teasers about each place of interest, then visit it in person, and then learn the full story or legend through QR codes located at the site. It's almost like a game, but one that leaves us enriched with knowledge, strong emotions, and the satisfaction of touching traces of Bulgaria's history and nature.
Some of the attractions included in these themed routes are:
The Canyon - with a past of a landfill, with a present of a beautiful viewpoint, was cleaned and changed in 2009 by enthusiasts from the village and the Devetaki Plateau Association with the help of the Letnitsa Municipality.
The Golyama Garvanitsa Abyss Cave is located just 2 km from the village of Gorsko Slivovo and features a spectacular natural formation, equipped with a metal staircase to access the depths of the abyss. It is the scene of a jazz festival called "Jazz under the Stars of the Devetaki Plateau" held annually at the end of June.
The village of Agatovo hides a small but great treasure. It is a bronze figure of a fawn dating back to the 7th century BC. The magic of the bronze fawn is not only in its historical roots, but also in the ways in which antiquity continues to inspire modern generations to preserve its heritage. This is a story about a small symbol that carries great power – to connect the past with the present and to inspire people to work to preserve their history and nature.
Other worthwhile points of interest include Futyova Cave, Grada Fortress, Chukata Peak (555m), Kakrina Inn and the Alexander Stamboliyski Dam. Travelers can also participate in different workshops as traditional cooking, embroidery, pottery, and fire painting (pyrography), hiking and horseback riding, and archery. In addition to the abundant sites to visit, we have all the amenities that today's traveler needs: in most of the villages on the Plateau, we find upscale guesthouses with hospitable and friendly owners, traditional yet exquisite cuisine, and last but not least, the option of hiring local guides for a hike or exploring some of the caves that require special equipment. They have it all! Fill free to direct any question about travelling in the area to the Devetaki Plateau Association: https://www.devetakiplateau.org/
In 2004, near the town of Shipka in central Bulgaria, archaeologists found the tomb of Seuthes III, one of the rulers of the ancient Odrysian kingdom dating from the fifth to the third century B.C.
