You are currently in the rolling hills of the Lovech province where the earth hides massive underground wonders. Your first stop should be the Devetashka Cave which is one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in the world. You can drive right up to the entrance and walk into a massive chamber lit by seven huge holes in the ceiling. It is so large that it was used as a base for fighter jets and even filmed in major Hollywood movies. The sunbeams shining through the roof create a magical atmosphere that you will never forget.
Drive a short distance to the Krushuna Waterfalls to see a hidden paradise of turquoise pools. A wooden trail leads you through a lush forest along a series of small cascades and limestone terraces. The water is a bright blue color and flows into quiet pools where you can sit and listen to the birds. It is a very easy walk that is suitable for everyone in your car. The entire area feels like a tropical jungle hidden in the middle of the Bulgarian countryside.
The final stop of your trip is the city of Lovech to see the famous Covered Bridge. This bridge was built by a master craftsman and features small shops and cafes right over the Osam river. You can walk across the bridge and continue up the hill to the Hisarya fortress. From the fortress walls you can see the entire old town with its traditional houses and cobblestone streets. This province is the perfect combination of dramatic nature and charming history for any driver.
Lovech (province) highlights
- Devetashka Cave opens with seven giant holes in the roof that let the sun shine into a massive hall. Imagine the scale of a place that once hid planes and now provides a home for thousands of bats. Walk through the magical atmosphere of the cave where nature has created a grand stone cathedral.
- Krushuna Falls cascade into bright blue pools hidden within a lush and green forest on the hillside. Walk wooden bridges to see the water flow over soft limestone terraces in a tropical landscape. Enjoy an easy path that leads to a peaceful world of small waterfalls and clear mountain water.
- Lovech Covered Bridge crosses the wide river in the town center with small craft shops built into the wood. View the water from the windows and buy local gifts while walking through a rare bridge style. See the structure light up at night to create a beautiful reflection on the surface of the river.
- Troyan Monastery stands as the third largest in the land featuring a famous icon with three hands. See the beautiful murals and visit the hidden room of a famous national hero from the past. Enjoy the quiet and spiritual feel of a place surrounded by high and green mountains.
- Saeva Dupka Cave offers a land of emerald green stones and huge rock columns that look like a forest. Walk through five large halls to hear the great sound that makes this cave famous for music. See the stone shapes which look like they were carved by a master artist many years ago.
- Hisarya Fortress guards the old quarter of the city from a hill with a giant statue of a hero. Walk the stone walls to see the view of the river and the covered bridge from the high ruins. Explore the history of the stronghold that once protected the people living in the valley below.
- Prohodna Cave earns the name Eyes of God because of two giant holes in the ceiling that look like eyes. Walk through the grand and open cave to see the sun shining through the rock onto the floor. Watch climbers on the high walls of this site which has a very unique and holy feel.
- Troyan Pass climbs to the highest road over the Balkan mountains with a massive stone arch at the top. Drive the sharp turns to see wide views of the peaks and the deep forest valleys below. Follow this classic road trip route if you love to drive in the high and rugged mountains.
- Glozhen Monastery perches on a sharp cliff like a bird nest in the sky with a wooden cloister. Drive the narrow and exciting road to the top for a view that stretches for many miles. Experience a very peaceful place that feels far away from the rest of the busy world.
- Iskar Panega Trail follows a turquoise river with small wooden bridges and signs along an easy forest path. View the unique blue color of the water which stays calm as it flows through the rocky canyon. Stop here for a relaxed walk and a picnic by the river bank in the fresh air.
The local Four
History of Lovech (province)
Lovech is the City of Rebels. During the 19th century struggle for independence, it was the headquarters of the Internal Revolutionary Organization led by Vasil Levski. The maze like streets of the Varosha quarter were designed with secret tunnels and hidden exits to help revolutionaries evade the Ottoman police. The city landmark, the Covered Bridge, built by the master Kolyu Ficheto, is a rare example of a bridge bazaar, one of only four in Europe.
The province prehistoric history is found in the Devetashka Cave, a massive karst dome with seven eyes in the roof. Occupied by humans for over 70,000 years, it is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Europe. In the 1950s, it was used as a top secret military oil depot, leaving behind massive concrete circles on the floor that now coexist with a colony of 30,000 bats.
Driving through Lovech leads to the Troyan Monastery, the third largest in the country, famous for its miraculous Three Handed Virgin icon and wood carved iconostasis. The Krushuna Waterfalls nearby offer a geological spectacle, where water flows over soft travertine terraces, creating a turquoise landscape. It is a province where history hides in canyons and revolutionary secrets are built into the very architecture of the towns.