Troyan in Bulgaria is a picturesque mountain town in the Central Stara planina Mountains. I have passed through the town and its surroundings many times, and I have stayed in the area several times. My last visit took place on a gloomy June day. It happened on the rainiest possible weekend that spring. However, I saw several interesting places that were new to me and others that I already knew.
In the article below, I’ll introduce you to the main sights in and around Troyan, all based on my personal experience. At the end, you’ll also find tips on where to eat and where to stay.
Contents
About Troyan, Bulgaria
Things to do in Troyan and nearby
SPA in the region
How to reach Troyan
Where to eat in Troyan
Where to stay
Final thoughts
About Troyan, Bulgaria
The town of Troyan is located in the heart of Bulgaria and in the folds of the Stara planina (Balkan) Mountains. The part of the Stara Planina Mountains near Troyan is called the Troyan Balkan. The Beli Osam River flows through it. During the Bulgarian Renaissance, Troyan became a cradle of crafts, whose traditions it preserves to this day. Another local emblem is the Troyan plum brandy (rakia) with its typical golden color, aroma and mild taste. Tasting rakia is among the main local things to do in Troyan. In the center of the town behind the Museum of Crafts, you can freely explore a museum exhibition dedicated to rakia.
There are two main hypotheses for the origin of the name Troyan. According to the first, it comes from the Slavic god Troyan, lord of the three worlds – upper, lower and underground. The second is associated with Emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan (98-117 AD). In later years, the Roman city that developed around the Sostra castle and was known as Trajanhisar (Trajan’s city) was named after him. The ruins of Sostra can still be seen today very close to Troyan.
Where to stay in Troyan and nearby
Guest house TODA, in Troyan center, price ~ 44 €
wonderful 9.3/10 (146 reviews)
Troyan Plaza Hotel****, in Troyan center, breakfast included, price ~ 85 €
exellent 8.9/10 (613 reviews)
Eco village Azareiya, in the village of Gorno Trape, 10 km from Troyan., price ~ 90 €
the price is per night per house.
Hotel Balkan***, SPA hotel in the village of Chiflik, 15 km from Troyan, price ~ 122 €, breakfast included
exellent 8.6/10 (402 reviews)
Hotel Blyan**, SPA hotel in the village of Chiflik, 15 km from Troyan, price ~ 159 €, breakfast & dinner included
exellent 8.8/10 (229 reviews)
Things to do in Troyan and nearby
Troyan’s town center is a lovely place for a stroll. To truly experience the town’s history and traditions, I recommend visiting the local museum, located right next to the main square.
Museum of Crafts in Troyan
Its full name is the Museum of Folk Crafts and Applied Arts. The idea for its creation emerged in 1962 during a conference in Troyan dedicated to the development and preservation of folk crafts in the Lovech region.
The museum is housed in an old public building, which was first a school and then housed the municipality. The building was built by Gencho Kanev, a famous Bulgarian master born in Tryavna. He was the builder of many Bulgarian churches and public buildings, the most famous of which are the Varna Cathedral “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” and the building of the Aprilov High School in Gabrovo.
The museum’s exhibitions present the most characteristic crafts of the Troyan region – pottery, woodworking, carpentry, beehive making, woodcarving, blacksmithing, etc.
It is a good idea to book a talk when visiting the museum to learn interesting details about artisan life in the Troyan region.
Forest Park Turlata
Forest Park Turlata is an attractive place for a walk in the outskirts with a magnificent panorama of Troyan. The park has been cleared and improved by the local forestry. In its lower parts there is a fun children’s corner with climbing frames and a trolley. A little higher up there is a separate arboretum with different types of fruit trees, each with its own sign. In the children’s corner and at the edges there are benches for relaxation.
Troyan Monastery “Assumption of the Virgin”
The Troyan Monastery “Assumption of the Virgin” is the largest in Stara Planina Mountains and the third largest in Bulgaria after Rila Monastery and Bachkovo Monastery. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the most significant landmarks in the area. Visiting the holy place is definitely among the best things to do in Troyan region. It is located in a picturesque location near the village of Oreshak on the banks of the Cherni Osam River. It is believed that it was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by an unknown monk-hermit, who built a small wooden church by the river. During the Turkish rule, the monastery was robbed several times.
In 1871, Vasil Levski, a Bulgarian revolutionary and hero, called the Apostle of Freedom, founded the first local monastic revolutionary committee there. The museum dedicated to the Apostle, located in one of the monastery’s wings, focuses on this period. There, you can see an intriguing hidden opening in the ceiling, which Levski used to escape from the monastery in times of danger.
The main place in the monastery is occupied by the temple of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, so beautifully painted by the great Bulgarian icon painter Zahari Zograf. The current church was built on the site of the old one in 1835. In it, one can see and pray for health to the miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God of Three Hands, brought from the Holy Mountain.
The high bell tower, the holy spring and several chapels are also of interest in the monastery complex.
The monastery can be reached by car. There are good signposts on the way to it. There is a large parking lot on site.
My last visit to the monastery happened right on the great Christian holiday of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost). We were there quite early in the morning, so we got ahead of the crowds and were able to see it in peace. During my previous visits, there were always a lot of people.
Exhibition of Arts and Crafts
Located right next to the Troyan Monastery, the National Exhibition of Arts and Crafts in Oreshak village is a perfect complement to a visit to the monastery. Established in 1971, it is a large exhibition complex with nine halls covering a total area of 4.2 acres. Here, visitors can admire a wide variety of handcrafted objects created by master artisans from across the country.
In addition to passively viewing the exhibits, you can actively participate and even try out some of the crafts. Each hall is equipped with a special place for demonstrations.
During our visit in June, in the ceramics hall, we learned how works of pottery are made. We had a knowledgeable and very skilled instructor – Nadezhda Hristova, a master potter with over 20 years of experience.
In one of the buildings there is a separate bazaar, where you can buy various objects made of clay, wood, including wood carvings, textile panels, wrought iron, and many others.
Sopot Dam near the village of Golyama Zhelyazna
Sopot Dam offers wonderful views and wonderful opportunities for fishing and water sports. In general, it is not very popular. The improved part of its banks is near the village of Golyama Zhelyazna. There are signposts to the dam and more precisely to Paradise Bay – this is a family hotel near the shore.
Sostra Fortress
Sostra Fortress is located near the village of Lomets near Troyan. The fortress is visible from the main road to the town, after you have turned off the Sofia-Varna road. There is a small parking lot in front of the fortress. It was a Roman castle, built in the middle of the 2nd century by order of Emperor Antoninus Pius and used until the end of the 5th century, when it was finally destroyed by the Huns. The remains of the fortress are massive, but are bisected by a railway line. In front of the gate of Sostra Fortress you can see a very well-preserved ancient Roman road.
Visiting the fortress is completely free of charge, but you should stay away from the railway line and cross it with caution!
Skoka Waterfall near the village of Kaleytsa
Skoka Waterfall is beautiful and attractive with its rushing waters, the lake below them, the rocks and the ladder on the right, which it turns out that some young people use for jumping 🙂 . What a great place!
Skoka Waterfall is located near the village of Kaleytsa, about 7 kilometers northwest of Troyan. There are signs for the waterfall on the main road.
To get to the trail to the waterfall, you must first go through the entire village of Kaleytsa. Shortly after you leave it, look for a bridge over the river, after which there is a wide parking space. Opposite this place, on the other side of the road, a dirt road begins, along which you must take to the waterfall. At the beginning of the dirt road, there is an information sign.
Coordinates:
- start of the path: 42.927369, 24.642316;
- Skoka Waterfall: 42.92431, 24.64228.
To get to the waterfall, we walk along the dirt road, pass by several villas and after about 200 meters we turn left towards the river. There is an arrow at the turnoff to the river. We reach the river and shortly after, the waterfall is visible from above. It is promising. There is a table and benches for rest at this place.
To get to the foot of the waterfall, we must continue up the trail along the river. A red and white marking indicates the direction. We walk 30-40 meters and the path leads to the river itself. We cross it at the most convenient place – it is not difficult, there it is shallow, and the stones in the river are wide and stable. After crossing the river, we follow the path in the opposite direction. We pass again by the upper part of the waterfall and continue a little further down to the river. We cross it again, make another U-turn and after a few meters of walking we are in front of the Skoka Waterfall.
Kaleto Fortress in the village of Debnevo
Kaleto is a little-known, but potentially promising fortress in Stara Planina Mountains, which protected the Rusali Pass from enemy raids. It rises on the hill of the same name in the village of Debnevo on the left bank of the Vidima River. The fortress can be seen from the Troyan – Sevlievo road.
How to get to the fortress? From the main road Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo you need to turn off for the village of Stefanovo, Lovech province. The village of Debnevo is located 12 kilometers from the turnoff, which takes about 10 minutes. By car you can get almost to the foot of the fortress. There are no signs in the village.
Coordinates: 42.9601478, 24.8510182.
A short dirt road begins from the above location to the fortress. It starts from the street and you will recognize it by the two metal gates on both sides. It is convenient to leave the car somewhere there. You go along the dirt road, which may be overgrown, and after just a few steps you will see the high fortress wall.
Gumoshtnik Village
Gumoshtnik Village is spread over several hamlets in the heart of the Troyan Balkan. In addition to the nature and views, its biggest attraction is the Bulgarian National Revival Church “St. Nikolay Letni” (1838). It impresses with its enormous size and beautiful iconostasis, a masterpiece of Bulgarian woodcarving art. It was made by Nikola Mateev and his son Yonko, craftsmen from the near village of Novo Selo.
Next to the church stands the restored building of the former monastery school, dating back to 1829. According to the tourist website of the Troyan Municipality, this is the only surviving monastery school in the Lovech region.
Another interesting thing. Gumoshtnik Village is a place where the sinking of the Titanic liner was not only some distant global catastrophe, but also a personal tragedy for 8 families who lost their loved ones in the catastrophe. In the churchyard, a monument has been erected to the local residents who died while emigrating and remained forever in the icy waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean in 1912.
The church and the monastery school are cared for by an incredible woman, Angelina Georgieva. In fact, during our June tour of the Troyan region, it was Angelina who took us and told us about the church and the monastery school. If you decide to head to Gumoshtnik, keep in mind that the key to the church is located in the community center, for contacts – tel. 0889 99 15 87.
SPA in the region
The Troyan Balkan is also rich in mineral springs with healing waters. The villages of Chiflik and Shipkovo are well-known SPA destinations. I have no personal impressions of Shipkovo, but some time ago we spent a very fun weekend in Chiflik. I celebrated my birthday there with my family.
Hotel Balkan***, village of Chiflik
We were staying at the Hotel Balkan, of which I have good memories. The overall atmosphere was very pleasant, during dinner we ate delicious dishes. The only thing that I personally did not like was that there were an awful lot of guests at the hotel during our weekend. But apparently the price/quality ratio turns out to be good for many people.
It was mid-February. Upon arrival, the weather was warm for the season and allowed us to walk to the Sostra fortress and the Skoka waterfall. However, at night the temperatures dropped sharply and fluffy snow fell. But the outdoor pool had warm mineral water and we did not miss taking a bath in it in the snowy weather in the morning.
👉 See here current prices and accommodation options at Hotel Balkan.
Hotel Blyan, Chiflik
In the village of Chiflik near Troyan there is another hotel with very high reviews, this is Hotel Blyan** with Booking.com rating: 8.9 and price per night with breakfast and dinner: ~100 EUR. Guests have access to an outdoor heated pool, which turns into an indoor pool in winter. 👉 See more here.
How to reach Troyan
The town of Troyan is located 153 km east of Sofia, 125 km north of Plovdiv and 33 km south of the regional center Lovech. The most convenient option to go there and to be flexible enough to visit the most of the landmarks is by car.
Troyan is connected by regular bus lines to Sofia, Lovech, Apriltsi and other towns.
You can reach Troyan Railway Station from various parts of Bulgaria including Ruse, Varna, Silistra, etc., with trains connecting at Levski Station.
Where to eat in Troyan
My favorite of the places to eat in Troyan, which I know intimately, is “Гостилница на дворЪт“. The restaurant is located in the center. It is made in a vintage style with a curious interior of retro objects. Even the dishes in which it is served are retro porcelain and retro crystal. In addition to the pleasant atmosphere, the food is freshly prepared and very tasty.
Another option for eating in Troyan is the Tavern of the Troyan Plaza Hotel, also in the city center.
In the vicinity of Troyan, I can recommend the tavern “Ханъ” in the village of Balkanets. The tavern is located on the road to Beklemeto and is very close to the village of Gorno Trape. If you are staying in Azareya, the two places combine very well.
Where to stay
The Troyan region offers a lot of accommodation both in the municipal center and in the surrounding area. On one of my previous visits, I stayed in a guest house with a small pool in the village of Oreshak. Unfortunately, it was a long time ago and I don’t remember which one it was, but there are quite a few in the village.
I briefly told you about the Balkan Hotel in Chiflik above. A little further down I’ll tell you about the Azareya holiday village.
You can see a few good options for accommodation in Troyan and the surrounding area on the map below.
During my last tour in the Troyan region, we stayed overnight in the Azareya holiday village in the village of Gorno Trape. Azareya is located 10 km southwest of Troyan. It consists of 6 round wooden ecological houses. It was created by a team of architects using the most modern building materials for an eco-friendly way of life and work.
According to the owner of the eco-village, Svetoslav Valchev, the combination of this architecture and the natural features of the place has been proven to strengthen the immune system, normalize blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and increase a person’s energy status. This can be felt after a few days of staying there. We were only there for one night, but I can say that the place is quiet, peaceful, the air is saturated with oxygen, birds sing, and everything in general is conducive to complete relaxation.
Each house in the Azareya eco-village has a name. I stayed overnight in the Harmony house.
Final thoughts
The Troyan region will enchant you with its incredible natural features, cultural and historical landmarks. One can spend at least a few interesting days there.
My last (for now) visit to Troyan and the region took place at the invitation of the tourist association Tour Club ReMark with the financial support of the Troyan Municipality, for which I thank you.
