ABOUT MUNICIPALITY DRYANOVO
Dryanovo Municipality is situated in the central part of the Forebalkan Mountain, on an area of 248,5 m2, with altitude varying from 180 to 640 m above sea level. In the municipality there is huge diversity of natural forms: magnificent mountain slopes covered with mixed broad-leaved woods , hills and rocks among which the waters of the rivers Yantra and Dryanovska are slowly floating.
The climate in the region is moderately continental, with mild winter and warm and fresh summer, which makes Dryanovo a place suitable for holiday during the whole year. Dryanovo municipality is part of Gabrovo province. It includes the town of Dryanovo together with 62 small settlements. The town of Dryanovo could be easily reached by train ( the railway track Rousse-Podkova) or by car
(the main road Rousse-Stara Zagora). It lies on 22 km. from the city of Gabrovo with its ethnographical sites, 24 km. from the Medieval capital of Bulgaria- Veliko Tarnovo, 17 km. from the town of Tryavna , famous with its architectural ensembles, 34 km. from the town of Sevlievo. The nearest airport is Gorna Oryahovitsa Airport.
HISTORY
The archaeological researches has found traces of pre-historical cultures proving that the natural treasures of Dryanovo region were evaluated even in the Old Stone Age ( 100 000 – 10 000 years before Crist).
Remnants of the cultures of the Thracians and of the Romans also exist. During 2nd century the citizens of Augusta Trayana (the old name of Stara Zagora) founded one of the main market places on the South of the river Danube, near the village of Slavejkovo, Dryanovo Municipality. It became an important commercial and transport center. During the early Byzantine epoch Dryanovo was on the way to five mountain passageways of strategic military and economic importance. During VI century in the region of Dryanovo there were about eight fortifications, which were part of the Roman fortification system. Later on in XII century the region became an important part of the protective and defensive line of the old Bulgarian capital-Veliko Tarnovo. The town of Dryanovo was mentioned in historical documents for the first time in 1470. According to the tax registers of the Ottoman Empire from the second half of XV century, Dryanovo was a “vakaf” ( free of taxes hereditary land) owned by Kasam Pasha – an eminent commander and co ruler of the European part of the Ottoman Empire. During that time the citizens of Dryanovo outnumber 500 people, only 38 of them were Bulgarian families. In the middle of XVI century the Christian families were 242, while the Mohammedan families only 6. In XVII century the number of the people was doubled and in XIX century it increased even more. According to the periodicals of that time , in 1872 in the municipality lived 4269 Bulgarian families and 164 Mohammedan families.
LANDMARKS
The
museum Kolio Ficheto is situated in eastern part of the town. In front of the museum is the impressive bronze figure of the genius, work of the sculptor Boris Gondov. Another interesting landmark is
St.Nikola church, built up by Koliu Ficheto, is located in the central part of the town. You also can see the
Lafchiev house. Even one nail was not used during its construction. If you like to enjoy the magnificent wood – carved ceilings, you should visit the church
Holy Trinity.
SURROUNDING AREAS
In Dryanovo region were discovered the oldest traces of life on Balkan Peninsula- proofs for human presence from paleolithic epoch were descovered in
Bacho Kiro cave, near
Dryanovo monastery, situated in Andaka river valley. There were found numerous relics of ancient villages, fortresses, pillars with inscriptions and ornaments from Thracian and Roman times (Boruna and Diskoduratera fortresses).
The cave has some levels 3 km length. The route for tourists with a guide is electrified and its length is 0,5 km.
Dryanovo monastery - national monument of culture, built in 12 century.
Exhibition of Dryanovo
History Museum "Dryanovo monastery-centre of Bulgarian spirit, revolutionary hearth in 1876 (with archaeological room and a revival room of Dryanovo region). This display is near the entrance of monastery complex.
DRYANOVO ECOPATH - It was built according to the programme "Bulgarian ecotracks" of Bulgarian Association for rural and ecological tourism. The Path is situated near
Dryanovo monastery (4 km away from Dryanovo). The altitude varies between 270 and 510 meters.
Description
