What Vratsa is known for

Vratsa is a town located in northwestern Bulgaria, nestled in the northern foothills of the western Balkan Mountains. It can be found at the juncture where the Leva River emerges from the Vratsata gorge. In the early 15th century, the town was relocated to its current location after the previous Bulgarian fortress was destroyed by the Turks.[3] Today, one of the predominant attractions of the city is the Vratsa Regional History Museum. The museum's main building houses various exhibitions, including the Archaeology Section, divided into multiple halls. The Prehistory Hall covers human society's evolution from ancient times to the Roman Age, displaying pottery, tools, and artifacts. There is also an Antiquity Hall that showcases items from the Roman and early Byzantine periods, including a Roman bronze diploma and religious clay vessels, while the Middle Ages Hall presents the region's cultural heritage during medieval Bulgaria, featuring Old Bulgarian adornments and relics. Moreover, souvenirs, guides, and information materials are available for purchase.[7]

One of the outdoor natural destinations of the region is the Vratsa Balkan Nature Reserve, which features a diversity of flora and fauna, with 57 plant species protected in Bulgaria's Red Book. From May to June, over 170 waterfalls, including the Skaklya Falls, are available in the park. The Vratsa Cliffs, 400-meter-high karst cliffs, offer about 140 routes for rock climbing. Tourists tend to visit the area for ecological and alpine tourism, with numerous destinations such as the Cart Rails, Rashov Ravine, and Lakatnishki Cliffs. Apart from natural sights, people seeking cultural landmarks can visit the Seven Thrones Monastery and Saint Ivan of the Desert Monastery found in the park as well. On Okolchitsa Heights, a stone cross commemorates revolutionary Hristo Botev, and guided tours are available. In total, the park provides 16 tourist routes, including 8 developed ones with informative signs catering to various interests. The Natura Nature Center provides information, guided tours, and activities, including horseback riding and air excursions.[9]

Ledenika Cave, located 16 kilometers from Vratsa within Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park, offers visitors an hour-long tour covering 350 meters of its galleries. The cave showcases a relatively wide range of fauna, including Light-hater insects adapted to darkness. It derives its name from the icy stalagmites, stalactites, and columns near the entrance, forming during winter. The journey begins in the Anteroom, featuring ice sculptures, and passes through the Plaznyata and a circular hall. The Large Concert Hall hosts an annual concert during the Days of Botev, dedicated to revolutionary Hristo Botev. The route continues through iron bridges, abysses, and the Curtains corridor, leading to the White Hall. Ledenika Cave is a protected natural landmark and part of Bulgaria's 100 National Tourist Sites.[8]

Geography

The Vratsa region's landscape consists of both flat terrain, part of the Danube Plain, and areas with varying degrees of elevation, including semi-mountainous and mountainous regions. The climate in this area is moderately continental. Vratsa province is traversed by a section of the Iskar River, which happens to be Bulgaria's longest river. Additionally, the Ogosta River is another significant waterway that flows through the region. The flatlands in the area are covered with fertile soils, providing conditions for the cultivation of various crops such as cereals, sunflowers, sugar beets, grapes, and vegetables. The Vratsa region also features several mineral resources, including copper and mixed ores, which have spurred the development of non-ferrous metallurgy, particularly in Eliseyna. Natural gas, marble, and building stones play a role in the local economy as well. Moreover, there are limestone deposits in the village of Beli Iskar within the municipality of Vratsa, which are utilized in cement production.[4]

One of the natural protected areas in Vratsa province is The Natural Park Vrachanski Balkan, established as a protected area at the end of 1989. Covering an expanse of 28,803.9 hectares, it ranks as Bulgaria's second-largest natural park. The park primarily consists of karst landscapes featuring depressions, pools, and caves, all surrounded by beech forests. Additionally, it features over 600 caves and chasms. Vrachanski Balkan is a haven for biodiversity, housing over 1,000 species of higher plants, including Campanula Jordanovii, Centranthus Kellererii, and Juniperus Sabina, among others. Fauna is diverse as well, with a total of 1,507 animal species. The park also serves as a nesting ground for 120 bird species, such as the black stork, golden eagle, and peregrine falcon. Moreover, the Natural Park Vrachanski Balkan is part of the National ecological network "Natura–2000."[5]

Concerning Vratsa's climate, the months of May, June, and September typically offer weather in Vratsa, with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. August stands as the warmest month, featuring an average maximum temperature of 29°C, while January is most commonly deemed the coldest month with an average maximum temperature of 4°C. In terms of rainfall, June typically sees the highest precipitation levels, with 100 millimeters of rainfall on average, making it the wettest month. On the contrary, November holds the record for being the driest month, experiencing 48 millimeters of precipitation.[6]

History

Vratsa and its surrounding areas have been inhabited since 6,000 BC, initially relying on agriculture and later transitioning to pottery and copper mining. Archaeological discoveries, including copper and bronze tools, weapons, and jewelry, point to a mining site called Plakalnitsa. Between the 7th and 6th centuries BC, the Triballi tribe settled in this region, possibly establishing Vratsa as their capital. The Rogozen treasure, containing 165 silver items, originates from this era and is mainly housed in Vratsa's Regional History Museum. Roman expansion in 28 BC marked the end of Triballi rule, incorporating Vratsa into the Roman Empire for approximately 400 years. During the Second Bulgarian Empire, Vratsa, also known as Vratitsa, gained significance due to its location at the foot of the West Balkan mountain range, becoming a hub for craftsmanship and trade.[1]

In the 7th century, the formation of the First Bulgarian Empire, uniting the Bulgars and Slavs, incorporated the Slavic Vratsa. The city's significance grew as it occupied a strategic location near the southern state border. Vratsa became primarily known for its goldsmiths, silversmiths, pottery, and military importance. During the 8th century, when the Bulgarian army conquered Sofia, Vratsa's prominence waned due to Sofia's superior strategic position, more advanced economy, and larger size. Nonetheless, Vratsa remained resistant to Byzantine, Serbian, and Magyar invasions during the Middle Ages.[2]

Following Bulgaria's liberation in 1878, Vratsa saw a decline in its trade and craft industries, but it retained its role as an administrative center and garrison town. Considerable industrial growth took place in Vratsa after World War II. The town now hosts a chemical complex powered by natural gas, along with textile, furniture, ceramics, and metal industries. There is also a cement works in nearby Beli Izvor. Vratsa also serves as a railway junction. The district museum features various exhibits, including artifacts from a local Thracian settlement.[3]