Innovimentor

Technology Park

superadmin — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 09:50:37 +0000

This is the Techonlogy Park located in Ioannina city.

Rila Monastery Nature Park Bоthanical Trail, Kirilova Medow, Rila Lakes, the Spirituality of Danovism

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:39:58 +0000

The guided Bothanical trail is demonstrating information and knowledge on over 100 plants of a high conservation significance. The visitor willhear about the critical importance for preserving endemic species such as the Rila cowslip, the Rila rhubarb, St. John’s chamomile, southern white-backed woodpeckers, the Balkan larks, etc. With a biy of luck, some of them can be seen on the Bothanica Trail. Many of the in total 200 species of medicinal plants, growing in the Park and part of the store of herbs for every pain, can be also seen on the way. Some of the plants are used for production of medicines for heart ailments, neuroses and dyspepsia, while others are used for general strengthening and revitalisation of the human system. There are also 28 species of edible mushrooms, e.g. boletus, the field mushroom, and the slippery jack, etc. Every summer and fall, to the benefit of local gatherers, the park yields an abundance of wild nuts and berries such as hazelnuts, bilberries, raspberries, briars, hawthorns, and blackberries. The Seven Rila Lakes are also to be seen in the Park! These glacial lakes are without a doubt one of the most notable natural attractions and a dreamed destination on the Balkan Peninsula, touching thousands of tourists with their beauty. They are located in the Dangskiya region of the northwestern Rila Mountain. The highest of them is Tear Lake, which gained its name for its crystal-clear water. It is 2,535 meters high, directly beneath the Otovishki Peak. Next is Eye Lake, the deepest of the seven at 37.5 meters.

Rila Monastery Nature Park: The Dendrological Path – the Whisper of the Trees

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:38:35 +0000

The Park is the home of some of the oldest natural forests on the Balkans. The average age of the trees is 100 years, but there are some trees as old as 300 years. The Park is the only place on earth where forest massifs of Rila oaks and King Boris’ firs are located, and is the home of the oldest pristine Macedonian pine forests in the world. The Park is the biggest water provider in Bulgaria, and it is the most significant freshwater source for parts of the Thracian Plain as well as the country’s south-western region. The dendrological route starts from the beautiful Bachkovo Cheshma area about a kilometer above the Rila Monastery on the way to Kirilova Polyana. There, the visitor can see about 35 tree and bush species, designated in Latin, as the trees are put in Bulgarian and English plaques, from which you can get information about the specifics of each tree or shrub species. The same route was followed by people many centuries ago, assumingly in the 10th century already, when piligrims and followers to the St. Ivan Rilski, the founder of the Rila monastery walked on the same path. Many of the trees on the route are about 150 years old with typical beech / Fagus sp. /, Quercus petraea /, Asian moss / Fraxinus excelsior /, Lilia / Tilia sp./ etc. The vegetation is represented by hazel / Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Rasuna idaeus, Rosa canina, and more than 9 species. But of course this is not all! Walking on the route, one can visit the churches “Pokrov Bogorodichen” and “St. Luke, as well as the grave of the St. Ivan Rilski.

Rila Monastery Nature Park: the Info Center

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:36:59 +0000

The Nature Park Rila Monastery, set on a territory of 27,370.7 hectares of forests, meadows and alpine peaks, is a wealth of rare and protected wildlife species, plant survivors of past geological ages and some of the oldest forests. It belongs to the Rila municipality, Kyustendil district. The Park was establish to protect the ecologically valuable plant and animal communities, as well as to preserve the remarkable diversity and beauty of the landscapes. Rila Monastery Nature Park’s lands also provide a natural source for genetic information dating back to the Ice Age. Incredibly, more than 110 plant species in the Park are survivors of past geological ages!!! Its natural repository is a gene pool for reconstitution of the disturbed European ecosystems and a tresor for the reintroduction of plants and animals to other sites, thus mitigating the changing climate. This makes the Park one of the most valuable territories in the Balkan Peninsula for the conservation of relict flora. Each of the Park’s natural resources are developed for touris. Owing to the intense effects of high alpine weathering and the Rila massifs considerable gravitational force, here one may find typical alpine features such as scree and talus slopes. Especially impressive from a geomorphologic point of view is the area around the Kirilova Meadow, including a fascinating stone rainbow and several high alpine peaks. Due to the action of glaciers during the Quaternary geologic period, there are now 28 glacial lakes at higher elevations. The Devil’s Lake is at an elevation of 2,445 meters, and the lowest one, the Dry Lake – 1,892 meters. The largest alpine lake on the Balkan Peninsula – The Smradleevo Lake, with a surface area of 212 decares and a maximum depth of 24 meters is also located on the Park’s territory. The highest peak, the Golyam Koopen is at 2,731 meters. Several rivers and streams flow throughout the territory of the park. There are 1,400 plant species on the park’s territory. The unique diversity of the park includes 1400 species of vascular plants, of which 49 species are included in the Bulgarian Red Book. There are 202 species of vertebrates, 122 species of birds, 52 species of mammals and 2475 species of invertebrates. Tree diversity in the park is represented by more than 35 tree and shrub species and medicinal plants. A number of species are included in the European List of Rare, Threatened and Endemic plant species, among them are the Rilski Reven, the Bodjectvena Igleeka, the Ynkieven Lopen, etc. Wood species in the Park include oak, beech, fir, spruce, yew, white fir, black pine, lime, sycamore, ashe, birch, dwarf pine and juniper. The wealth of wildlife in the park has no equal in Bulgaria or Europe. It is home to some extremely rare wildlife species that are threatened with extinction both on a European and on a global scale. These include the imperial eagle and the black vulture; the dormouse, otters, mole rats, and brown squirrels; and the wolf. Observant and patient visitors may catch sight of the Alpine Newt, Tree Frog, Mouse Snake, Marten, The Imperial Eagle, etc. Here is one of the most important monuments of Bulgarian culture – Rila Monastery, founded in the early 10th century and the most desirable place for worship. In 1983, UNESCO declared the monastery a cultural monument of world importance. A number of hiking trails with high intensity were developed by the Park’s administration, as part of the International tourist route -4 Pyrenees – Alps – Olympus:

Rila Monastery – Kirilova Polyana – Dry Lake – Kobilino reservation
Rila Monastery – Fish Lake – Lake Smradlivoto
Rila Monastery – Maliovitsa
Rila Monastery – The Seven Rila Lakes
Rila Monastery – Radovichka River – hut “Macedonia ”

All these routes are well signposted and marked with the appropriate colors from NPD .

Tourist routes: Belasitsa Butterflies and Flowers; The Life of the Chestnut; Guest house -Orchidea-

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:34:40 +0000

The ‘Butterflies and Flowers of Belasitsa’ is about the world full of beauty and colour and learning about the diurnal butterflies and flowering plants in the park. The route ‘The Life of the Chestnut’ of the Belasitsa Nature Park is about discovering the unknown and unique world of the sweet chestnut forest, full of interesting inhabitants. During the pleasant walk along the thematic tourist route „Life of the Chestnut”, the visitor will have the opportunity to learn amusing facts about the plants and the animals dwelling in the chestnut forests.

Belasitsa Nature Park Info Center, Kolarovo Village

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:33:39 +0000

The Belaitsa Nature Park’s info center is the perfect place for acquaintance with the equilibrium between Nature and Culture, achieved through millenniums’ long intertwinning between them. The hidden treasures of the natural and cultural heritage are excellently interpreted at the center with the help of the following modules, designed by the staff: The Chestnut Tree, The Book of Knowledge; Who’s Eating Chestnuts?, The secrets of the Chestnut Forest and its Inhabitants; Discover, Create and Study; Plants and Mushrooms; Insects, Amphibians and Reptiles, Mammals;
A thematic tourism route is designed and guided by the Parl’s rangers: “The life of the chestnut”.

Petrich Museum: Linking the Present to the Past Times

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:31:55 +0000

The historical museum – Petrich is relatively new, created in 2006 on the basis of the museum collection in 1966. Today, the Historical Museum – Petrich has more than 18 000 museum exhibits, completed in four departments: Archeology, Ethnography, Bulgarian lands XV-XIX century, New and recent history, Vanga exhibition and Samuilova krepost . Particularly impressive is the presentation of archeology, based on the discoveries of Heraclea Sintica. There are 3 400 exhibits, among them the emperor Galerius’ honored edict from 308, a unique collection of theatrical masks and terracotta figures from II – III century; clay idols (VI th century BC); collective find of terracotta figures of III century, numismatic collection from VI century BC to KC century and others. Heraclea Sintica is 10 km away. from Petrich, on the southern slope of the extinct Kojuh Volcano. Discoveries are restored and preserved. At the moment, these are the northern part of the forum, a civilian basilica and part of the fortress wall.

Bachevo Village: Kukeri – Emissaries of Hopes

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:30:48 +0000

Bachevo village is known for authenticity of the kukeri festivities. There, almost every family takes part in tgem. Over 160 people from the Razlog village took part in the regional 2019’s festival in Simitli, 50 of which were children. The village of Bachevo is also famous for the tradition of pursuing the evil that takes place on the first day of the new year. Early in the morning, wishing for health and hope for the better, the residents of Bachevo are gathered in the center of the village dressed in Kukeri costumes. They roam the whole village with horo and music in groups and come together in the central square. Perhaps the most spectacular and ancient manifestation of Bulgarian folk culture takeplace in Bachevo with its Kukeri processions. The dramatic huge masks and costumes reflect an ancient nature tradition honoring the cycles of life, death and rebirth. The performers put much effort and love into their costumes, proudly followng the family tradition and transferring it to the next generations. Sometimes, they work on the costumes for years and spend considerable amount of money, trying to outperform the “competitors”. The celebrations take place all over Bulgaria prevailingly around the New Year’s Eve and in January, but in some places they continue until April-May. The festivities are especially spectacular in Pirin and Rodopi villages.

Vlahi village: Resilient Legacy of Karakachani people

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:29:27 +0000

The BBPS SEMPERVIVA is a Bulgarian Biodiversity Presentation Society is a non-governmental NGO, established in the village of Vlahi, with a priority of work on studying and saving of rarebiodiversity conservation NGO, with a priority of work on studying and saving of rare autochthonic breeds of domestic animals in Bulgaria and also on the Balkan region. The main goal of Semperviva is the conservation and restoration of the local, ancient breeds of Karakachan sheep, Karakachan horse and Karakachan dog, as one of the most primitive breeds in Europe and as a part of the natural, cultural and historical heritage of Bulgaria. Saving the traditional way of their breeding as a symbiosis among them and their living environment.

Heraclea Sintica: Making the Most of the Past

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:27:30 +0000

Heraclea Sintica is an ancient Thracian, Greek, and Roman city located near the town of Petrich in Southwest Bulgaria. It was the center of the ancient region of Sintica along the Struma River, which was inhabited by the Thracian tribe of the Sintians. The ancient city of Heraclea Sintica was mentioned by Homer, Herodotos, and Thycudides in their works. It was founded around 300 BC by Cassander, King of the Kingdom of Macedon (r. 305-297 BC), who also founded today’s Thessaloniki. In 2002, Bulgarian archaeologists identified the city for sure after they found a Latin inscription dated back to 308 AD, in which Roman Emperor Galerius (r. 293-305 AD as Caesar, 305-311 AD as Augustus) addressed the local urban citizens of Heraclea Sintica responding to their plea to restore their lost civil rights. In the late Antiquity, the city of Heraclea Sintica gradualy waned and was replaced as a regional center by the nearby Sveti Vrach (today’s town of Sandanski). In recent years, Heraclea Sintica has been excavated by Ass. Prof. Dr. Lyudmil Vagalinski, director of Bulgaria’s National Institute of Archaeology with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Sotir Ivanov, director of the Petrich Museum of History.

Yagodina Cave (The Devil’s Throat), Rodopi: The Home of Orpheus-Mysteries and Realities

superadmin — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 06:25:43 +0000

With an entrance, resembling a devil’s head with a waterfall rushing down its throat, the cave is ten kilometers long and five stories in height, this cave features remarkable natural formations including pipe-like stalactites, cave pearls, “leopard’s skin” and hanging stalactone. The Yagodina Cave is located in the Buynovo Gorge near the Rhodoope village of Yagodina. It is one of the most famous and most-visited caves in Bulgaria. Artifacts from the Neolothic Age have been discovered, among these finds are earthenware plates, earthenware oven, etc., produced by the clay from the cave. After the cave mouth was excavated and restored, it was turned into a museum exhibit. A legend tells, that the god of the underworld was fascinated by Orpheus’s magic music and singing, and his love to Euridice, and decided to bring the couple back to the world of the living. But he has set a condition – the musician couldn’t look at his beloved until they come out of the realm of the dead. The worry that Eurydice might not follow him, Orpheus turned back, and the nymph had to return to the world of the dead again. It is this legend that recreates with a fiery spectacle during the mysteries every year in the Devil’s Throat Cave.

The Mosque’s Bazaar

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:12:24 +0000

The Mosque was built in 1757 and serves as a refering point in the Old Bazaar. Gjirokastra has had 15 mosques but they were destroyed or used for other functionalities during the communism.

The Church of Saint Sotir

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:11:18 +0000

The small church as well as its narthex are dark; built in stone it does not have significant architectural elements, however its old foundation and the remains of frescoes make it particularly important to the local history. To visit the church it is necessary to contact the Tourist Information Office located in the town center at ” Kompleksi Kulturor”, shëtitorja “Odise Paskali”, Përmet.

The Babameto House

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:10:01 +0000

The Babameto House is located close to the Old Bazaar. It looks like a three floor building but it’s actually the composition of two buildings, build for two brothers. The building was rstored in 2013 and now functions as a hostel and cultural center. The Babameto House also serves as an opportunity to see traditional buildings of Gjirokastra.

The Ali Pasha Bridge

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:09:22 +0000

The so-called Ali Pasha Bridge, or Manalat Bridge, was part of a larger aqueduct complex commissioned in the beginning of the 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelenë. The aqueducts fed the castle’s cisterns with water from the Mount Sopot, 10 km away. Gjirokastra didn’t have water service at the time, and Ali Pasha quickly discerned the need for this structure. The bridge is an easy 30min hike from Gjirokastër and makes for a nice off-the-beaten-path destination. The aqueduct was mostly demolished in 1932, but this section in the Manalat Quarter remains. An early depiction of this famous “bridge” is found in the painting of Edward Lear, the British poet and painter, who traveled to Albania in the mid-19th century.

The Zekate House

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:08:39 +0000

The Zekate House id located in the highest poin of Palorto neighbourhood. It was built around the 1811-1812 for an accountant called Beqir Zeko during the Ali Pasha’s era. The majestic apparance of the building is the symbol of the elite’s of the time. The building is open for visitors and gives the opportunity to see the traditional buildings of Gjirokaster in it’s complexity with stunning views of the valley. The living room (called Oda), decorated with charm and the attic in the center of the upper floor, are two of the most unique points of the house.

The Ethnographic Museum

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:07:58 +0000

The Ethnographic Museum in Gjirokastra is located where the house of the dictator Enver Hoxha used to be. The original building was burned down in 1916. The museum’s building was built around the 1964-1966 as a model of the traditional houses of Gjirokastra, including many cultural elements. From the 1966 till the 1991 the building served as a Anti-Fascist Museum in memory of the victory achieved against the fascists during the World War II. In 1993 the exhibits shown in the former Ethnographic Museum (The Skenduli House) were moved in this building. Nowadays the museum displays household items, folkloric costumes, traditional artefacts of the well-known families of the city.

The Skenduli House

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:07:13 +0000

The Skenduli House was built in 1823 and serves as a great example of Gjirokastra’s traditional architecture and authentic elements preserved throughout the years. During the communism it was used as the Ethnografic Museum and nowadays the building has been returned to the owners and it’s open for visitors.

The Kadare House

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:06:37 +0000

The Kadare House is the building where the famous Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare was born. The house was burned down around the 90’s and was rebuilt in 2015 with the support of UNESCO. The building is being used today as a museum and occasionally for different artistic activities.

The Old Bazaar

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:05:55 +0000

Built over 500 years ago, the Gjirokastra Bazaar is one of eight oldest districts of Gjirokastër, stretching out long below the castle walls. It remains under continuous reconstruction due to its age and historical significance as a UNESCO national and world heritage site. Several travel journals and other documents mention the bazaar dating back to the Middle Ages. The bazaar’s life began within the walls of the castle, which used to surround the city of Gjirokastër. As the population increased however, families began to venture out and lay the first foundations of commercial constructions outside of the castle walls. The neighbourhood known as Qafa e Pazarit (Bazaar’s Pass), is one of the most recognisable in this “city made of stone”. It is visited annually by thousands of foreign tourists. Here, they can find some of the best-handcrafted travel mementos in wood, stone, and fabric, all handmade with pride by true masters of their crafts.

Gjirokastra Fortress

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:04:58 +0000

Gjirokastër Castle is situated at a height of 336 metres (1,102 ft). The castle dominates the town and overlooks the strategically important route along the river valley. It is open to visitors and contains a military museum featuring captured artillery and memorabilia of the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured United States Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime’s struggle against the “imperialist” western powers.The Gjirokastër Castle has also been a special destination for tourists in the recent years. The castle was visited by over 10,000 Albanian and foreign tourists during January – May 2018. This was over the double of visitors from the same period the year before with 4,700 visitors. The castle is under protection from UNESCO.

FORTRESS OF JUSTINIAN

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:55:20 +0000

If you turn up Rr Murat Toptani, behind the National Gallery of Arts, you’ll pass the 6m-high walls of the Fortress of Justinian, the last remnants of a Byzantine-era castle. There’s very little to actually see and these days part of a cinema/nightclub complex overflows over the top.

ARTIFICIAL LAKE

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:54:39 +0000

The best place to escape the crowds of Tirana is the Artificial Lake, a romantic area located at the end of Blloku district. It is a popular destination, especially during the weekends, when locals stroll enjoying nature and fresh air. We suggest you to consider the lake especially if you are traveling with children, because in the area there is the largest fun park of Tirana.

TOPTANI STREET

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:53:53 +0000

In a city dominated by cars, this tree-lined pedestrian street is like a breath of fresh air. With no cars and lots of shops and restaurants, Toptani Street, also called Pedonalja, is perfect for a nice walk, shopping, and for buying local souvenirs. It is shady and cool, making it an excellent hideout on a hot summer day. During the holiday season, it hosts a wonderful Christmas market. Alongside the street, there is a Millennium Cinema.

NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:53:02 +0000

The largest museum in Albania holds many of the country’s archaeological treasures and a replica of Skanderbeg’s massive sword (how he held it, rode his horse and fought at the same time is a mystery). The lighting might be poor, but fortunately the excellent collection is almost entirely signed in English and takes you chronologically from ancient Illyria to the post-communist era. The collection of statues, mosaics and columns from ancient Greek and Roman times is breathtaking. A disturbing and very important gallery devoted to those who suffered persecution under the communist regime is the most recent addition to the collection, though frustratingly, almost none of this display is in English. Another highlight is a terrific exhibition of icons by Onufri, a renowned 16th-century Albanian master of colour. The modernist mosaic adorning the museum’s facade is entitled Albania and shows Albanians victorious and proud from Illyrian times through to WWII, with some unsurprisingly communist overtones.

TANNER’S BRIDGE IN TIRANA

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:52:13 +0000

A rather incongruous 19th-century stone bridge remains remarkably well preserved in Tirana’s modern centre and is one of just a few remnants of Ottoman Tirana. Be careful walking over it as its smooth stone surface can be very slippery. It’s at the end of Rr Presidenti George W Bush.

BUNKART

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:51:26 +0000

This fantastic conversion – from a massive Cold War bunker on the outskirts of Tirana into a history and contemporary art museum – is Albania’s most exciting new sight and easily a Tirana highlight. With almost 3000m2 of space underground spread over several floors, the bunker was built for Albania’s political elite in the 1970s and remained a secret for much of its existence. Now it hosts exhibits that combine the modern history of Albania with pieces of contemporary art. Just arriving at the bunker is quite an exciting experience, as you go through a long, dark tunnel in the hillside that leads you to the entrance on the side of a still-active Albanian military base. It’s located very close to the Dajti Express, so it makes sense to combine the two within one outing.

THE TIRANA MOSAIC

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:50:44 +0000

The Tirana Mosaic (Albanian: Mozaiku i Tiranës) is a landmark in Tirana, Albania.
It is believed to have been part of a 3rd century Roman house, referred to by local archeologists as the ‘Villa rustica’. Later, in the 5th and 6th centuries, a Paleo-Christian Basilica was built around this site. It was declared a cultural monument of the first category in June 1973. The ruins of this Paleo-Christian Basilica were discovered in 1972. In 2002, some other objects were found around the ruins of the house, and today they form the Archaeological Complex of the Mosaic of Tirana. It is the only archaeological monument within the city. Some of the ancient mosaics discovered at the site that feature diverse geometrical patterns and depict poultry and fish. It was re-opened to the public on 23 January 2010.

KASHAR

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:49:50 +0000

The territory of Kashar lies on both sides of the Tirana-Durrës highway. In this axis operate the most important businesses of the Albanian economy. Parallel to the highway lies the railway line for public transport and freight. Its relief is hilly-field, dominated by the field spaces. Fields are flat and of low altitude. The area with artificial lakes: Purez Lake, Kashari, Gjokajt and Mezezit lakes and hilly relief create an attractive panorama by increasing the interest of local visitors and foreign tourists for hiking, cycling, etc.
Referring to archaeological findings and historical events it is noted that the settlement in this area is quite early. From the archaeological findings we learn that in the village of Kashar there were found stonewalls of limestone belonging to the 1st and 2nd century. During the Ottoman conquest in 1431-1432 it is proved that the villages of this area were registered in the vilayet of Kruja “Akçasihar”. Kashari has recently been proclaimed “Archaeological Protected Area” because in Kus village of Kashar, on the hill of Qafë Qisha, four rare artefacts have been discovered: the ruins of a medieval church, a 300-year mosque that is known as the Mosque of Kus, a church that is in the property of the Musteqja tribe and an ancient cemetery.

PETRELA PETRELA CASTLE

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:49:06 +0000

Petrela is situated 12 km in the south-eastern part of the capital, along the national Tirane – Elbasan road. In this territory there are quite some distinctive physical and geographic units such as: Farkë Ridge, 6 km long and 445 m above sea level; Mullet-Fikas Hills and Petrela Castle 550 m above sea level. The area of Petrela is characterized by a nature with a typical Mediterranean climate that is enriched by its ancient history. This area also due to the Erzen River valley and the Mediterranean climate factors has a rich biodiversity. – Keshtjella e Petreles. This dramatically set 15th-century hilltop castle, just a short distance outside Tirana, is worth a trip if you’re not visiting one of the other better-known castles in Albania, such as those in Berat, Shkodra or Gjirokastra. A short hike up an easy pathway looping around the hillside gets you into the castle, which nowadays houses a fairly run-of-the-mill restaurant.

DAJT

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:47:47 +0000

The Cave of Pëllumbas (Albanian: Shpella e Pëllumbasit or Shpella e Zezë) is a karst cave in central Albania, located in the Skorana Gorge close to the village of Pëllumbas in Tirana County. It lies about 500 m (1,600 ft) above the Adriatic, on the slopes of Dajti, a mountain chain that rises to an elevation of 1,613 m (5,292 ft). The cave is one of among six karstic caves that exist in Europe.The cave has a length of 360 m (1,180 ft) with a width which can vary between 10–15 m (33–49 ft) and a vertical range of 45 m (148 ft). Despite its small size it is regarded as one of the country’s most beautiful caves and attracts numerous visitors. The cave is situated within the boundaries of Dajti National Park and has been recognized as a natural monument of national and international importance by the Ministry of Environment. The importance of the complex is due to the remains of ancient human culture which belongs to the Paleolithic. The cave was inhabited by the extinct cave bear, which lived between 10,000 and 400,000 years ago.

TIRANA CLOCK TOWER

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:46:49 +0000

The 35m-tall clock tower is a historic landmark completed by Ottoman architects in 1822. For years it was the tallest building in the capital, topped with a Venetian bell sounding every hour on the hour. Initially time was told by the number of “ding-dongs” as the clock had no face. It has been adopted as the symbol of Tirana. The clock was destroyed by bombardments during World War II and was replaced in 1946 with a Roman numeral clock from a church in Shkoder. The dome has a similar architectural style such as the St Mark’s Campanile in Venice. The 90 steps spiral fashion stairs elevate visitors to the top for impressive views of Sheshi Skënderbej. It rises next to Et’hem Bey Mosque, a monument of culture recognized by the state and the picture- perfect angle is the Clock Tower with the minaret next to it.

PROVADIA, TEMPLE “SVETO BLAGOVESHTENIE”

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:37:13 +0000

The temple “Sveto Blagoveshtenie” (St. Annonciation) was constructed and open in 1923 due to sponsorships of local residents and outstanding men in Provadia town. It is named to commemorate Virgin Mary. It was imortant religious place for the locals during the years after the Bulgarian liberation from Ottmoman yoke in 1878.

PROVADIA, OVECH FORTRESS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:36:26 +0000

Ovech Fortress is a stone stronghold located east of the town of Provadia, 53 km west of Varna and 410 km east of Sofia.
The fortress is mentioned under different names in the historical chronicles. The oldest one is the Byzantine name Provat. Bulgarians referred to it as Ovech, while Turks called it Tash hisar (which translates from Turkish as stone fortress). Archaeological research established that the fortress was used in periods from the 3rd century to the first decades of the 7th century, and then from the 10th-11th centuries until the end of the 17th century.

PROVADIA, THE SALT MINE

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:35:44 +0000

The prehistoric archaeological complex Provadia-Solnitsa is located near the modern Bulgarian town of Provadia. Its remains date back to 5500 to 4250 BC. The emergence and development of the complex are directly linked to the large and only one rock salt deposit in the Eastern Balkans. it is suggested the town was inhabited by about 350 people between 4700 and 4200 BC. – about 1500 years before the Greek civilization.
The residents boiled water from a local spring and used it to create salt bricks, which were traded and used to preserve meat.

DALGOPOL, OVCHAGA FORTRESS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:34:44 +0000

Late Antiquity and Medieval fortress “Ovchaga” is located in the northern beginning of one of the passages of the Eastern Balkan Mountains.The fortress is situated 2.37 km Southeast from the town of Dalgopol, 50 km away from Varna. It is situated on a natural hill on the right bank of the river Luda Kamchi and has the shape of an irregular rectangle of approximately 20 decares. The fortress is protected by a powerful wall of white stone mortar stones. The walls of massive buildings and numerous fragments of construction and household ceramics from V-VI and XIII-XIV centuries are visible in the fortified area, among which from sgraffito vessels, are visible on the terrain.

DALGOPOL, THE MAGIC ROCKS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:33:57 +0000

The Magic Rocks (Chudnite Skali) is a natural phenomenon located near town of Dalgopol 50km to the Southwest from Varna. It is a massif consisting of about ten beautiful rock needles, 40-50 meters high, shaped like castle towers. They were formed by the effect of water and wind on limestone. The rocks had formed directly by the banks of Tsonevo dam, where they are steepest and vertical.
The phenomenon consists of three massifs. Three tunnels are dug through along their entire length, where an automobile road made of crushed stones passes. Since they can be seen from the main road, the rocks often attract the travelers, which come by to enjoy the view.

BYALA, CAPE ST. ATANASII FORTRESS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:33:02 +0000

The late antique fortress called as well “The White mystery of Byala” is located on the eastern cape of Byala, 40 km to the south of Varna. The legends tell that the oldest Christian center in the land of Byala, the chapel “St. Atanasii “on the Cape of the same name, Atanas was inhabited by monks, followers of Hesychasma, distributed on our lands by Theodosius of Tarnovski. Investigations found that it dated back to Thracian cult center of production, religion and stock exchange.

AVREN, PECTRICH KALE

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:32:14 +0000

Fortress Petrich Kale is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the region of Varna. It is located over 100 meter rock walls and it dates back to early Byzantine from V-VI C. It is believed it was destroyed and restored during the 11-12 century. It was captured in 1444 – the last crusade by the army of the Polish-Hungarian King Vladislav III Yagello. petrich Kale was an important pillar of defensive system of the Medieval Bulgarian state. The name “Petrich” comes from the Greek “Petrin” – Stone Fortress.

DEVNYA, ANCIENT CITY MARCIANOPOLIS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:31:10 +0000

Marcianopolis was an ancient Greek, then Roman city and the largest city founded on the territory of the town of Devnya municipality (20 km West from Varna). Remains from the Roman city include the amphitheatre, some streets and many exquisite mosaics of the House of Antiope, a Roman villa of the late 3rd or early 4th century AD which are exhibited in the Museum of Mosaics, some in situ. The fortress wall protected an area of more than 70 hectares, which is twice more than the Ancient Odessos (now Varna). Marcianopolis is one of the biggest monetary treasuries in the world. About 100,000 silver denarii minted between 64 and 238 AD were found there.

DEVNYA, MUSEUM OF MOSAICS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:30:23 +0000

The Museum of Mosaics is a museum in the town of Devnya near Varna. Early-Byzantine mosaics from the ancient settlement of Marcianopolis are exhibited in the museum. The Museum was built on top of a large ruined Roman villa from Late Antiquity on the ancient foundations of the “building with the mosaics” dated to the end of III – beginning of IV century (regim of Constantine I – the Great) and lasted till the beginning of VII century. Various materials associated with the building architecture and lifestyle of its ancient inhabitants are presented as well.

BELOSLAV, MUSEUM OF GLASS

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:28:11 +0000

The Glass Museum is part of the old glass production factory founded in 1893 in the town of Beloslav, 20 km to the west fro Varna. The unique nature of the Glass Museum is presupposed by the fact that it is the only museum in Bulgaria of this kind. The Museum exhibits a variety of glassware products manufactured in the factory through both manual production and semiautomatic manufacturing keeping the old tradition of the Beloslav glassblowers. There are hundreds of small bottles for perfumery, cosmetics, alcohol and spices and technical glasses, unique small-scale hand-made products, souvenirs and molds, vases, cups, candlesticks and animals each of which is hand-blown and different from the others, as well as countless vases of various colors and shapes.

Nicosia Water Board Museum

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:22:43 +0000

The museum provides a history of how people would get their supply of water from buckets and wells to old concrete taps and finally to running water in homes. The museum is situated next to the Nicosia Water Board’s main building on Athalassa Avenue and the public is encouraged to visit it. This museum features exhibits that present a detailed account of the effort of Cyprus’s inhabitants to secure their water supply throughout the island’s history.

Chapel of St. Marina

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:22:00 +0000

It was built in 1935 at the initiative of a local man, named Hadjipanais Hadjisavva, on the ruins of an oldest church. The building was completed on July 17, 1937, the day of the celebration of St. Marina. It is one of the most beautiful Churches in Strovolos area; hidden in a forest Although it is small in size; it has a huge courtyard tiled nicely. The Church is beautifully designed; built with stones and surrounded by a neat wood pergola and has a small Bells Tower. The Entrance is really nice with 3 arcades built with bricks topped with beautiful paintings; it has one big door and two small doors. The interior is fascinating; each corner is covered with a very colorful painting; the walls, the ceiling, and the doors and windows frames. The Altar is very simple with few Icons; the chairs are limited with nicely engraved wood.

Strovolos Historical Core Center

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:21:21 +0000

Old Strovolos is the traditional core of Strovolos, the biggest municipality in the wider metropolitan area of Nicosia. The diversity and richness of the area are known although still hidden and undervalued. Points of interest based on mapping, such as Frankish era irrigation facilities, medieval gardens, metalwork draftsmanship, courtyards and orchards can be found in the old core area. Significant cultural structures are located in this area, ready to be discovered, such as the Panayia Chryseleousa church, St. George church, the green area outside the town hall of Strovolos, the area of the old cemetery, St. Marina church area extended up to the river bed of Pedieos as well as the old Town Hall – Municipal Library. The character of the old houses situated in the area and the narrow streets reveile the way of living during the past two centuries.

Strovolos Municipal Theatre

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:20:38 +0000

The Strovolos Municipal theatre is located next to the premices of the Municipality at a central artery of the municipality, at 100, Strovolos avenue, at a parallel with the Linear park of the Pedieos river. The Strovolos Municipal theatre held its first performance on June 24, 2003, with the North Greece state orchestra. The event was one of the many the Greek Embassy organised for the end of Greece’s Presidency of the European Union. On July 3rd, 2003, the national beauty contest was held there and then in September 2003 its regular operation began with the International Festival “Ta Kipria” of 2003. The official opening of the Municipal theatre was held on October 2nd, 2003 by the President of the Republic. Several schools, public and private, primary and secondary education, as well as several dance and ballet schools, and other institutions have held various events at the Strovolos Municipal Theater such as: Musical performances, Theatrical Performances, Dance Performances, Concerts, School Holidays, General Meetings and Movie Shows.

Agios Dimitrios Park

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:19:43 +0000

The Municipal park of Agios Dimitrios is the biggest one in the municipality of Strovolos and is found between the Marakrios Hospital and the English School. It is planned in a smart way, resulting to give you the impression that it is a lot larger than what it is in reality. Narrow earthen streets end up in open spaces where each one has themed exhibits. From each open space, there are other narrow streets that begin, leading you in their turn, to different directions into the park. There are lakes with fountains that you can walk by and appreciate the water’s coolness. The playground, meeting all the European requirements for safe games by children, is there, next to the cafeteria allowing parents to watch their children while enjoying their coffee. The park also hosts an amphitheatre. The visitor can spend many hours of silence under the trees without realizing that they are actually in the center of the city of Nicosia.

Pedieos Linear Park

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:18:53 +0000

The Linear Park Pediaios in Cyprus was established in 2002 and is a green lung for Nicosia, with a 14 kilometers long pavement which passes through Lakatamia, Strovolos and the city center. The Linear Park Pediaios has cycle lanes, pedestrian streets, pavements etc. The central pedestrian road is illuminated throughout its length in order to be safe during the night. Along it there have been planted several trees like eucalyptuses and many bushes. The cycle lane starts south of the presidential palace, on the bridge of Chryseleousa street, crosses the presidential park and Pediaios river and connects with the park opposite the church of Timios Prodromos near Giorkeio. Next it passes under the bridge of Cheilonos street and ends up in the old hospital of Nicosia. For the construction of Linear Park Pediaios materials like wood and stone were used in order to blend in with the natural environment. Within the “Linear Park” that falls in the Strovolos Municipality’s area, there is a small sports centre that is available for children above the age of 15 and to adults. At intervals there are supplies with potable water. There are small squares equipped with benches, that offer the chance to its visitors to have a rest.

Acropolis Exhibition Park Area (Caves)

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:17:59 +0000

The exclusive area of the Caves at the Acropolis Park operate as an exhibition area to promote culture, the arts and literature. Its different sections have been recently renovated with the necessary infrastructure for lectures, seminars, exhibitions, music performances, book presentations, cocktails and other events. Sourrounding the caves area has been developed as a natural park, including artificial lakeσ and sports facilities where citizens may visit for leasure.

St. George Church

superadmin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:17:14 +0000

In the heart of the Strovolos area, very close to the church of Panagia Chryseleousa, in a beautiful picturesque neighborhood, is located this stone church dedicated to the Trophy-carrier St. George.
The church was built at the same time as the Chryseleousa church in the 19th century by the Archbishop Kyprianos. In fact, according to tradition, whileArchbishop Kyprianos had secured permission for the rebuilding of the church of Panagia, he inititated the bulding of the church of St. George secretly, by enclosing the area around it with dry shrubs. When he finished the construction, he bribed the Turkish conquerors so as not to cause any damage.
From the chapel stands out the impressive wooden sculpture of the women’s placet, crafted by the famous Thaliadorou brothers.