Area: 3,938 sq. km
Population: 243,038
Municipalities – 11: Borovan, Byala Slatina, Vratza, Knezha, Kozloduy, Krivodol, Mezdra, Mizia, Oryahovo, Roman, Hairedin
Regional center: Vratza
Vratza Region is situated in the eastern part of Northwestern Bulgaria. It is bounded by the regions of Montana, Lovech, Pleven and Sofia. To the north it borders the Danube, hence Romania. The territory of the region covers part of the Danubian plain and parts of the Balkan Mountains. The Ogosta, Skat and Iskar rivers cross the region. The population of 235,038 inhabitants is distributed over 11 municipalities. The climate is Temperate-continental with cold winter and warm summer, which is a major factor attracting investors in property in Bulgaria. The international highway Central Europe–Krajowa–Vidin–Sofia–Kulata–Thessalonica passes through Vratza Region too. The Iskar gorge connects the region to the lands situated south to the Balkan Mountains. Water transport is a significant factor for the development of the region. The region is a strategic transportation point which increases the annual return from investment in Bulgarian property in the area. The first nuclear power plant on the Balkans was built on the bank of the Danube, in the town of Kozloduy. With its diverse, unique and beautiful nature Vratza Region offers great opportunities for tourism – amateur, ecological, rural in typical Bulgarian property, hunting, cave tourism and alpinism. Among the protected areas are the Vratza Balkan Nature Park, Vratza Karst Reserve, Ledenika Cave, Skaklya waterfall, Vratzata gorge of the Leva River, Bozhi Most (God’s bridge), a cliff bridge near the village of Lilyache, Ritlite cliff formations near Lyutibrod village, the 15 venerable oaks called Kitkata near Byala Slatina and the famous peak Vola (Kamata) The Balkan Mountains shelter reserves with age-old spruce trees – Usketo and Gorna Koriya. Traces of pre-historic settlements, medieval fortresses and churches were found in the region. The area of the Chiprovtzi-Berkovitsa Mountains has been a prominent gold-mining area ever since ancient times. Ore mining was also well developed. The carpet industry developed as a craft in the 17th century. Chiprovtzi carpets are famous for their unique motley colors and design. Typical of them are floral ornaments, the basic colors being winy red, red and dark blue. There are a lot of archeological and historic monuments in the region. Of particular value are treasures masterpieces of Thracian art. Vratza treasure of the 4th century BC was discovered on the Mogilan hill in Vratza. Near the village of Rogozen in 1986 a treasure dated back to the 4th-5th centuries BC was uncovered, which belonged to a Thracian notable family – the biggest treasure ever found. In includes 165 items made of massive silver with gilt. On the Borovan hill there are remains of an ancient Thracian fortress. The monasteries offer unique environment of peace and serenity – the Cherepish Monastery, Strupesh Monastery, the Monastery of Archangel Michael near the village of Dolna Beshovitsa, etc. Botev’s Path memorial complex is another unique site. It is a 120 km long path starting from the legendary Radetzky steamboat to the place where Botev, Bulgaria’s poet and revolutionist, found his heroic death.
History
Information for existence of life in settlements during the Copper-Stone Age - halcolite could be drawn from the archaeological materials coming from the place "Yablanitza". They are synchronized with the finds from the big halocline settlement, discovered near Gradeshnitza, Vratsa region, which becomes eponym of a whole early-halcolite culture, taking up North West Bulgaria. During the 6-4th centuries B.C. Vratza City and the area around were an important cultural, political and economical center. However, in the 3rd century B.C. the situation started to change drastically. First the Tribalis lost a big battle with the Celts, and then in the years 179 and 168 B.C they were beaten again and forced to live in poverty by the Germanic tribe Bastar. This time period has left us plenty of coins, found in the region of Vratza. The end of the Thracian hegemony here comes with the expansion of the Roman Empire in the year 28 B.C. when the pro-council Markus Licinius Kras and his legion burn and plunder all the Tribali settlements in the area. The Romans were known as merciless conquerors and as a consequence the population of the area drastically decreased. When the locals were leaving the area and trying to save themselves from the Romans, many buried their valuables in the ground, hoping that better days would come and they would return. Better days did come, but the owners neither of all the buried treasures were nor around to see them. Even nowadays the archaeologists still discover new items from these days, like the treasure found in 1964 and containing 500 Roman republican denariuses. There are numerous findings like this one, but our objective is not archaeology, but history. For almost 400 years the region of Vratza City was a part of The Roman Empire. This is the time when the first settlements that resembled modern cities started appearing. Vratza`s region was decided to be a part of the Thracian province. The Romans were clever and practical people and quickly recovered the exploitation of the copper mines. After that they found gold and silver ore in the area and used them as well. Thus the area between the Vratzata and today’s village Zgorigrad is developed as an important metal obtaining center. This settlement had the typical roman appearance and style and quickly became an average size normal town. The population was mostly Thracian; there were also war veterans, Hellenes and people from Asia Minor, brought by the Romans. Coin making stamps and equipment found here signifies the importance of this area for the Romans. This early town had natural defense walls-the huge vertical rocks along its sides that are still here today. Wherever there were no rocks, the Romans built strong fort walls that would later be used as bases for building the medieval Vratza City. Religiously, the local people quickly accept the Roman gods while keeping some of their old beliefs and customs. The burials also undergo a change then-the eminent people get buried in stone sarcophaguses.
Around Vratza there are few smaller forts. One of them was in the area called Retchka, and there was a Roman legion in it. A legion would normally include 6100 infantry men and 726 cavalry. It was not uncommon for a man from the Roman army to create a family with a local woman and wish to leave the military. To enable fast and reliable travel, transport and information transfer the Romans built very good roads. Three major roads pass through the Vratza region-three towards Sofia and one towards Montana and the Dakiya district. The special things about these roads are that they are build by different layers, perfectly straight and very strong and robust. Consequently, new villages and towns started appearing close to these roads. Examples are Taftiomozis (Krivodol), Vorovo Minore (Kravoder). During the first 130 years of the young Bulgarian state, Vratitza was in the country’s north-western province. This changed in the year 805 when the Bulgarians crushed the armies of the Avars. The town of Vratitza was then in the middle of the country. This was the time of the early medieval age, when the economy was not developing ferry much. There is no specific information about Vratitza during that period, but most probably things here were not very different from the other cities. In the year 971 the Byzantine Empire’s army ravaged through north-eastern Bulgaria and took King Boris II and his brother Roman as prisoners of war in Konstantinople (the capital of the Byzantine Empire, today’s Istanbul). North western Bulgaria with Sofia and Macedonia remained inside Bulgaria, ruled by King Samuil. He settled in Vidin and from there he started a struggle against the Byzantine Empire. The memories about this time have been preserved in the area around Vratza, near the village Kunino where there are caves named Samuilitza 1 and Samuilitza 2. The Bulgarians succeeded to win the lost territories back, but in the year 1003 the Byzantine emperor Vasilius II takes the Bulgarian properties back again. Unlike other forts and castles, Vratitza was not ruined because the Byzantine Empire was interested in having the rich mines around here as well as a stable fort to keep barbarians such as the Uzis, Pechenegs and the Kumans from invading from the north. Vratitza was under Byzantine rule for about 182 years until the revolt organized by the Bulgarian brothers Asen and Peter in 1185. In the year 1186 however, the Empire won the town back. The final liberation of Vratitza hapened in the autumn of the same year, when Asen and Peter invaded from north with an army of Kumans and Vlases. These Kumans would play an important role in Bulgaria`s millitary future. This is when the third crusade led by Fridrich Barbarosa and Richard I passed through Bulgaria. Knowing that the crusaders were using the old roads from the Roman Empire, they probably went through Vratitza. This was, so to speak, a disaster for the local population. The crusade army in its core was a bunch of western European savages that pondered whatever they liked on the way, no matter what the agreements between the crusade’s leaders and king Asen were. In this time period the living standards of south Eastern Europe were the highest in the whole continent and the crusaders were very pleased to go through such a rich land, knowing the misery back home. Around that time king Asen II built a monastery in Vratitza, calling it the Royal Monastery. In the year 1195 Belgrade and Branitchevo in today`s Serbia and Vratitza was again in the middle of the country. Rough times followed. The year was 1207, and Boril was now the Bulgarian king after taking over the throne. In the year 1211 there is a revolt against him in the north western Bulgaria. The initiators of the revolt were the Kumans that were Bulgaria`s allies against the Byzasntine Empire and the crusaders. King Boril was forced to call for help the Hungarian army led by count Ivashin and together they crushed the rebels and ended the revolt. In the 15th and 17th centuries Vratza becomes a significant place for the Turks although there are not many of them in town. In the middle of the 16th century there were 354 non Muslim households and 74 Muslim ones. The Sultan (the king) paid special attention to Vratza because it was a profitable trading center and had rich silver mines.
Already during the Bulgarian Renaissance, town Vratsa and the surroundings glorified as a wine production center. After the establishment of the Principality Bulgaria, in the region were available conditions for an intensive development of the viticulture. Wines from Vratsa had public and foreign recognition. In 1896 in Brussels, on the international competition for wines and liqueurs Stefan Kraskiov from Vratsa received a special award and a certificate.
Tourism
The District features a splendid landscape which varies from plain relief to a magnificent mountain range. Quite interesting is the area of the Vratsata canyon, where there exist excellent conditions for mountaineering. There are good opportunities for investment in Bulgarian property and for establishment of a mountaineering centre of international interest there. There are a great number of protected natural sights and historical monuments on the territory of Vratsa State Forestry. The mountain offers wonderful opportunities for skiing. In the northern part of Vratsa District there are good conditions to promote tourism by fishing and exciting boating along the river. The newly created ECO-path attracts numerous tourists with its breath-taking views and sites. With its diversified, unique and beautiful natural surroundings the District of Vratsa has a significant potential for in Bulgarian property and tourism - cognitive, ecological, country and rural, hunting, skiing, cave tourism, alpinism and mountaineering. A number of monasteries in the vicinities have a special share in the feeling of relaxation, peace and harmony. Among the protected areas are the Vratza Balkan Nature Park, Vratza Karst Reserve, Ledenika Cave, Skaklya waterfall, Vratzata gorge of the Leva River, Bozhi Most (God’s bridge), a cliff bridge near the village of Lilyache, Ritlite cliff formations near Lyutibrod village, the 15 venerable oaks called Kitkata near Byala Slatina. In the surroundings of Vratsa - 12 kilometres inside the mountain there is a modern centre for recreation with facilities such as sauna, fitness suite and others. Within the territory of the province is the Vrachanski Balkan Natural Park that offers excellent opportunities for recreation. This is the most cave - rich area around the country - more than 500 caves and Karst precipices. There is Vrachanski Karst reserve, the cave Ledenika of international importance (The cave impress with great sizes, and during the winter grabs the visitor with it`s fine ice decoration, where from come it`s name), and the Vratsa Gorge near the town of Vratsa. Worthy seeing as well are The Gods Bridges - a natural rocky bridge and the karst spring in the Liliache village region; The Borovanska mogila - an ancient Thracian fortress; The Botev pat memorial; The highest waterfall Skaklia - height 141 meters.
Hotels
There are more than 20 hotels and holiday Bulgarian properties in Vratza and near to the natural sights of Vratza Balkan. In the town center there are many restaurants where you can try the traditional Bulgarian cuisine. There are, of course, others, offering Italian and Chinese cuisine. If you want to stay for a drink or to have some fun in the evening, you will have a wide choice of bars and clubs with folklore or modern music. Some of the restaurants offer program with Bulgarian folklore songs and dances according to advance customer request. Friday and Saturday are the most suitable days for having fun.
Mountaineering
The most resourceful and large, from any point of view, place for Rock climbing in Bulgaria is the Vratza area - called "Vratzata". The climbing area Vratzata is situated in the western part of Balkan mountain and is part of the national park "Vrachanski Balkan" which includes the biggest part of Vrachanska Mountain in order to preserve its unique speleological phenomena. It is situated in "Stara Planina" mountain (Balkan Mountain), near Vratza town and at about 300-400 m altitude. The area is easily accessible from Vratsa (5 min. by car or bus), and the town is situated at one and half hour drive (or train) from the capital Sofia. The limestone of the Vratsa Central Wall and rock pillars offers infinite possibilities for the climbers, whether they want to climb some of the multiple and various routes, or they prefer to open and equip new routes. As a whole the area resembles the area of Verdon in France. There are three guide books with photos, schemes, and explanation about the rock routes etc. They are: "Vratza - Alpine Routes", "Alpine objects in Bulgaria", and the newest and the most adequate one issued in 1987 "Vratza Rocks" - authors: Nikolay Petkov and Ivan Maslarov (issued only on bulgarian). In the last one there are about 116 alpine rock routes described. The maximum grade for free climbs on UIAA mentioned in this book is VIII (1987). But this doesn’t mean that there are not possibilities for greater or new graduation of some routes, because most of them are made before the free climbing style has been opened. So from one side there are a lot of place for free climbing on to interesting and already equipped (or at least figured) routes, and on the other hand there are a plenty room for making absolutely new exquisite and elegant free climbing or aid climbing style routes. The most interesting and challenging from all possibilities in the area is "The Central Wall". It is high about 450 meters and is almost vertical, huge, and offers all kinds of the rock technical phenomena. There are hotels near the climbing area, but the best choice for accommodation is camping (non organized and free) at the bottom of the rocks. There are rivers, meadows, forest, all completing the marvelous atmosphere of the area. There are more than 120 routes on about 10 different walls and crags ranging from 1 to 13 rope lengths. The difficulty grade is III-VIII UIAA with some aid passages. There are also some routes of higher difficulty which are not mentioned in the existing guidebooks. Most of the routes are marked in their start points. Main paths are also marked. The most popular routes are equipped well but even there the pitons are often old and unstable. Some routes are not safe at all.
Infrastructure
Pan-European Transport corridor 4 (Dresden - Istanbul) crosses the territory; Pan-European Transport corridor 7 (Rein-Main-Danube) is the natural border of Vratsa District. The road system in the District is 1277 km. Bus lines provide fast connections with all the major cities. The region is a strategic transportation point which increases the annual return from investment in Bulgarian property in the area. Sofia airport is about 60 minutes by car. On the territory of the Vratsa District is located the port of Oriahovo and ship ferry terminal, connecting Bulgaria with Romania. The two national mobile operators are active in the district - M-Tel and Globul.
Gas, water, electricity and telecommunications
The telecommunication network consists of 4 regional post stations - Vratsa, Byala Slatina, Mezdra and Kozloduy, and 116 local post offices. They offer universal post services including express mail and international courier services EMS, SKYPAK and DHL. In the town of Vratsa there are branch offices of Mobiltel, Globul and Vivatel. The water supply system was envisaged to be improved and sewerage was mostly built, but there is a program for modernization all over the province, including the smaller villages. The nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, in the northern part of the province, is the major supplier of electricity in Bulgaria. Gas-main passes through the territory of the District and Chiren gas-condensed field is found.
Roads, railroads and airports
The road system in Vratsa District is 1277 km roads from the republican road system including asphalt covering – 1172 km and without asphalt covering 105 km.. Predominating are the 4th class roads. Transportation scheme for the bus lines provides convenient connections with all the major towns in Northern Bulgaria – Sofia, Pleven, Russe, Svishtov, Lovech, Gabrovo, Vidin and others. The administrative capital of the province is Vratsa in the southern parts, about 116 km from Sofia. The distance to the major cities is as follows: Vratsa - Varna 414 km, Vratsa - Plovdiv 217km; Vratsa - Pleven 108 km; Vratsa - Burgas 416 km. The international road E79 passes through the province. On the territory of the Region Vratsa is located port Oriahovo and ship ferry terminal, connecting Bulgaria with Romania. In the town Mezdra is the most important railway junction for South Western Bulgaria with links to all the country.
Economy
Vratsa District has the largest number of industrial enterprises in North-West Bulgaria. In economical terms it could be assumed theoretically that southern part of the territory is more industrialized one as the qualities of the cultivation land is as good as the first class agricultural land of the northern part and the means of living of the population should be connected to the industry. The most industrial enterprises are located in the region of the District center - the city of Vratsa. They are specialized mainly in metal processing, textile industry, furniture production, food and beverage, machine building, construction works. In the end of the year 2000 there are 6484 companies registered in the District of Vratsa, of which 5,57% are in the public sector and 94,43% are in the private sector. According to the number of employees the biggest number of companies have a staff under 10 persons - 5814; 542 have between 11 and 100 employees, the rest exceed 100 persons personnel. Apart from these, 420 companies are involved in agricultural production. SME in the region are predominantly in the filed of services and small-scale manufacturing. Primary role in the business environment should be allocated to the Nuclear Power Plant Kozloduy, which is located on the territory of Vratsa District. The other main businesses are related to light industry - the District has age-long traditions in the textiles and specialize mainly in chemical industry, furniture, wood-processing, construction and renovation, semi-finished products and assembly, foodstuffs, cotton and silk, building materials (cement), lathes, cutting machines, etc.. There is a modern developed commercial network. At present, the biggest investors come from Switzerland and Italy, and the Municipal and District administrations have set as a priority activities to attract new foreign investments in industrial Bulgarian properties in the region as well. The Municipality of Vratsa has available land intended for manufacturing enterprises and also available municipal buildings, which may be provided to foreign investors. As far as agriculture is concerned, the Municipality is an important grain producing center. North of Vratsa there is an environmentally clean area where good quality foods may be produced. As main priorities for restoration of industrial works in the economical structure of District Vratsa, are to attract foreign investitures on purpose of technological renovation and export orientation of the production, the creation of regional unions of the industrialists with a view protection of their interests and establishment of data base, giving the possibility for an advertisement and collaboration. The expansion of the markets on national level and the use of the European agreement's possibilities for expansion of the export will allow the industrial sector to realize its contribution to the district's ambition towards constant and dynamic development.
Workforce
The economically active population is 48,892, employed as follows: in the services sector - 27,685, in the industry - 19,020, in the agriculture - 2,187. The population has increased since the year 2000, and is mostly in private labor employment. The rate of unemployment is higher than the Bulgarian average, and the aim of the provincial policy is to implement programs to resolve this problem. The labor force distribution in the basic economic sectors is the following - in the industry - 38.9%, in the agriculture - 4.5 % and in services - 56.6%. The decrease of the number and relative share of the employees in the public sector is matched by an increase in the private sector. The proportion of workforce in state and private sectors is 44.2 % to 55.8%. The higher level of education stipulates a higher employment rate. In the province predominates the number of employees of secondary education. On the labor market, the number of specialists of higher education decreases in favor of those without education. The average salary level for the province is 297 levs.
Enterprises
The registered economic subjects according to branches are about 14 000, as the main part are in the trade, repairs of cars and household appliances. The structure of the net incomes from sales according to economical sectors and branches shows that the part of the processing industry is dominating. The biggest decrease in the net incomes from sale has the branch of trade, car repairs, which is significant for the small use of the population. Bigger industry in the district, as NPP "Kozloduy", "Holcim Bulgaria"AD, "Metizi"AD, "Ledenika"AD when they are in favorable state of affairs and have satisfactory sales, influence the economy and the entire social life in its regions. Small firms gravitate towards them and implement services, supplies, repair and other activities. These enterprises significantly influence the municipal budgets with their shares. At the present moment the main leading firms in the economy of District Vratsa are "Tzentromet"AD- Vratsa, "Sunnitex"AD- Mezdra, "Vratitsa"AD- Vratsa, "Holcim Bulgaria"AD- Vratsa, "Hemus-M"AD- Mezdra, "Pioner"AD- Byala Slatina, etc. The private firm' activity is concentrated mainly on the services and the agriculture, the processing industry / mostly food-and bewerage/, the operations with real estates , building, trade etc. "Lesto Product" Ltd is a company created in 1993 and specializes in processing of metal sheets with thickness between 0.5 mm and 6 mm, bending, welding and powder coating. For control over the production process the company uses the most advanced methods and the highest quality materials.
Taxes
Under the Local Taxes and Fees Act, municipal budget revenues are generated by the full amount of all local taxes and fees and the municipal share of shared taxes levied under other legislative acts (Corporate Income Tax Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Excise Duties Act, etc.) The local taxes and fees under the Local Taxes and Fees Act, as well as the fees for municipal are the major sources of revenues to the budget. Local taxes include: property tax; inheritance tax; donation or sale of property tax.
Property tax - levied on buildings, courtyards, lots, built-up agricultural and forest lands, located within the municipality of Vidin and owned by physical or legal entities. (Note: Agricultar lands and forests are tax exempt). The tax is calculated on the tax valuation of the property, calculated by the tax authorities under Appendix 1 of the local Taxes and Fees Act (for citizens), or on the book value of fixed assets under the Accounting Act (for companies). The tax is payable at four equal payments until March 31, June 30, September 30 and November 30, respectively, in the year when its due. 5% discount is available to everyone who pays the whole annual amount by March 31.
Inheritance tax - levied on property inherited by law or by will, in amounts defined in a scale (table) under Art. 36 of the Local Taxes and Fees Act. Levied on cash, property, securities and other inherited items and/or rights.
Donation or sale of property tax - levied on property acquired by donation, as well as on real estate, limited real rights on real estate and purchased motor vehicles.
The tax is calculated as follows: for Bulgarian property and limited real rights on such - on the market value of the real estate or the tax valuation, whichever is higher; for donations - on the valuation of the donated Bulgarian property, in an amount defined under Art. 47 of the Local Taxes and Fees Act; for sales - 2% of the valuation of the property, calculated under Art. 46 /2/ of the Local Taxes and Fees Act; for swaps - 2% of the Bulgarian property that has higher valuation; for partition - on the surplus. Prior to the transfer of title, the tax is payable at the offices in the location where the Bulgarian property is; in all other cases, the tax is due at the place of residence of the payee.
Motor vehicles tax Levied on the owners of motor vehicles, in an amount based on engine power under Art. 55, 56 and 57 of the Local Taxes and Fees Act. The tax is payable in two equal payments, by March 31 and September 30, respectively, of the year when its due. 5% discount is made to those who pay the full annual amount by March 31.
Local taxes are collected by the Territorial Tax Directorate, Vidin (2, Bdintsi Sq.), within the timaframes and under the procedures stipulated by the Local Taxes and Fees Act, and are credited to Vidin’s municipal budget. All private contracts, with or without notary certification, must be submitted for registration to the Municipality within one month of the date the contract was closed.
Agriculture and food industry
The District of Vratsa supplies 5,97% of the total agricultural output of Bulgaria. Most commonly sewn crops are maize, wheat, sunflowers, barley, grains, ray, and alfalfa. Traditionally, vineyards, tomatoes, cucumbers and other vegetables are grown in the district. Stock-breeding is represented by growing cattle, small farm animals, sheep and goats, poultry, bees. Typical for the region is silkworms growing. The main foodstuff produced here are: sunflower oil, flour, dairy products such as cheese (feta), butter, milk, yogurt; meat and meat products; bread, bread products, confectionery. There are a number of canning companies which preserve mainly tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, pickles, beans. Close to Vratsa is one of the largest breweries in the country, which produces very good quality local beer "Ledenika" under Belgian license.
Furniture
More than 40 companies are active in the field of furniture production on the territory of Vratsa District. They produce home and office furniture in various styles, designs and materials. They sell mainly on the domestic market and a few of them have markets abroad. Parts of the enterprises have their own collections and most of them are in a position to work by clients order and request. Recently, as the market demands are growing, several companies offer also designing of lay-out of house interiors.
Textile
Textile represents a major sector in the region and it contributes significantly to the regional economy. The textile companies are one of the main employers. The high quality of the products, low salary costs, wide experience and the traditions of the sector are an excellent foundation for its future development. The textile companies are predominantly small and medium-sized. Most of them work with clients materials and export their production to Greece, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, others. The company Mirage Ltd. produces designs for pret-a-porter. The only enterprise producing flags in Bulgaria is also established here. There are small companies producing men, ladies, and children clothes, uniforms (for hotels, medical institutions, etc.), hunting and fishing outfit, working and protection garments, sportswear, household linen, table cloths, etc.
Ecological agriculture
Attention is paid more and more to the bio-products from vegetable and animal origin. The possibilities to have such a production are big based on the fact that in many regions, for a long time the lands have not been treated with fertilizers and preparations. Here it is possible to stand apart a winning recess in the market of raw materials for the food industry and for a direct use.
Development
The main projects are related to the development of the transport infrastructure, water supply and sewerage, agriculture - vegetables, cattle breeding, silk-worm breeding, mushroom cultivation, development and strengthening of the existing industrial plants, development of alternative forms of tourism - rural, ecotourism, cultural, religious, spaeology, mountaineering, hang gliding etc. The long-term strategy for the regional economy is to promote small and medium enterprises as an alternative way to develop the industry.
Education
Because of the close distance to the capital Sofia (site of the main universities in Bulgaria), only one local centre of New Bulgarian University, one pedagogical college - branch of the Veliko Tarnovo University and one medical college exist in the province. The vocational schools have their main disciplines mostly in agricultural techniques, mechanics and electrotechnics, chemical technologies, civil engineering and construction, language school and mathematical secondary school. The total number of primary schools in the province is 54, 14 of them situated in the municipality of Vratsa and all state-owned. There is only one private school, Europe Schools for English Language and Management.
Financial institutions
At present, there are 15 branches of Bulgarian banks. The insurance companies have their 12 branches in the province.
Hospitals
The medical services are provided in 6 hospitals - 2 of them in the main city of the province, Vratsa. As a result of the reforms in health care, there are also private medical services available, as well as stomatological services.
Culture
Ethnographic and Revival Complex
The small exposition at the Nikola Voivodov museum house traces the revolutionary activity of Nikola Voivodov, a fighter for the freedom of enslaved Bulgaria. The Bulgarian History Society uses the house as a base. The Captain`s House recreates the urban interior that a relatively well-to-do family in Vratza could afford in the beginning of the century. The Sophronius of Vratza Ethnographic and Revival Complex comprise five buildings with the latest expositions of the Museum of History. They trace the condition, diversity and development of the traditional material and spiritual culture of the people of Vratza from mid-19th to early 20th century when that culture was in its authentic element and European influence was not strong yet. The main exposition of the complex is housed in the Revival school Ascension. It traces popular culture in Vratza district, its ethnic characteristics, the spirit of the epoch and the most typical livelihood in Vratza, the domestic occupations and the cultural and milieu traditions. A new approach has been taken to the arrangement and exposition of the ethnographic material. Following history chronologically the first storey of the building traces traditional rural culture in its entirety and dependence on geographic and natural factors, mutual determination and interrelation. The ethnographic processes and phenomena are given a many-faceted treatment on the basis of the four seasons and the traditional calendar associated with them through original exhibits, archive photos, folkloric reverberations and excerpts from the travel books of Bulgarian and foreign travelers. The second storey of the building is given to the subject Diko Iliev and Brass Music in Northwest Bulgaria. Personal belongings of the original musician, composer and music master, photos and documents and original audio reveal the great musician’s life work. Urban culture is presented schematically without a claim to tell everything about the subject. Stress is laid on the latest tendencies in its development under the impact of European ways in culture, fashions and urban interior.
The Dimitraki Hadjitoshev
The Dimitraki Hadjitoshev museum house was built in 1812. The exposition is ethnographic and historical. He laid the beginning of secular education in the town; he was at the head of the struggle for an independent Bulgarian church that originated in Vratza district; he contacted the Russian command and, drew up plans for the liberation of Northwest Bulgaria from Turkish bondage.
Ivan Zambin`s house
Ivan Zambin`s house is given to three topics: Traditional Viticulture and Wine Making; Traditional Silk Worm Breeding and Silk Fabrics Manufacturing; Traditional Goldsmithery. Those occupations and trades had deep historical roots in Vratza district. The Vratza Goldsmithery School and the Vratza silk worm breeding, the first in Bulgaria, made a name during the National Revival period. The fame of the Vratza wines, silk and goldsmithery spread far across the Bulgarian boundaries to London, Saint Louis, Brussels and other cities staging international expositions.
The Church of the Ascension
The Church of the Ascension is associated with the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski who stayed there in connection with the Vratza committee’s conspiracy. Traditional Means of Transport is an exposition in the spacious hall built additionally in the yard of the school Ascension tracing a trade that was modern in late 19th and early 20th century in Vratza, the cabs made in Mito Orozov`s cab factory.
Museum of History
In 1976 the Museum of History acquired a special building in the southern wing of the Palace of Culture built at Hristo Botev Square; the modern exposition was opened in 1980. Exposition-80 is arranged in nine halls and three corners. The Prehistory Hall contains New Stone Age tools and domestic artefacts. The clay vessels are impressive with their magnificent shape and decoration. Next comes a rich exposition of the two great Copper Age cultures - Gradeshnitsa and Krivodol. The exhibist are domestic clay vessels with symbolic decoration, sacrifical stones and a unique collection of sculpted idols together with clay tablets with incised symbolic signs and pictographs. The Bronze and Iron Age are represented by original ornamentation, Thracian weaponry and domestic objects. The Antiquity and Middle Ages Hall traces a big stretch of time. The section Late Antiquity and Early Byzantine Epoch contains exhibits of the 1st -4th centuries illustrating the changes in the lifestyle, occupation and culture of the local Thracian tribes after the Romans conquered the Balkan Peninsula. Several glass casings contain tools, weapons, domestic and table ceramics. Stone carving is given large exhibition space and the sculpted group "Dionysus and Hercules" stands out there. Crafts are presented by bronze smelters, glass production and bone artifacts. A collection of medical instruments gives an idea of knowledge in medicine. The votive tablets of which "The Thracian Horseman God and the Celtic Goddess Epona" are evidence of those deities were worshipped. The exhibits of the Bulgarian Middle Ages section (late 7th - late 14th) are archeological materials which reveal the prosperity and culture of our people in the period in question. There is a tableau of the disposition and structure of two of the three ramparts defending the Bulgarian state in the west, from late 7th to early 9th century - of Ostrov and Hairedin. Two maps of Vratza district show the mediaeval archeological sites and coin finds. The exhibits are clay vessels, weapons, tools, jewels that reveal the different aspects of the Bulgarian population’s lifestyle. The stone inscription of Vratza which for the first time mentions the name of the mediaeval town, Vratitsa, merits special attention. The Modern Construction Hall demonstrates the economic progress of Vratza district since the April Plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party in 1956 down to the present day with photos, documents, exhibits and an audio-visual programme. In the period in question industry in Vratza district made an incredible progress with projects of key importance for the Bulgarian national economy like the Nuclear Power Plant in Kozlodoui, the Chemical Works, the Pigiron Furnances and Textile Mill in Vratza, the Metallurgical Works in Elisseina, the Paper and Pulp Works in Mizia, etc. The museum collections at Vratitsa Textile Mill and at the Chemical Works trace the history of those enterprises and display their products. There are maps showing the countries to which their products are exported.
The National Museum “Radetski Ship”
The National Museum “Radetski Ship” – Kozloduy – keeps the memory of the Botev’s detachment. There are Museum collections and Town Art Galleries in the towns of Mezdra and Krivodol. The territory of the District is crossed by the historic road of the Botev’s detachment, whose steps are followed each year by mountaineers from all over the country who march from Danube riverbank to the Okolchitsa peak to honor the feat and the immortality of the heroes. On the first of June in the town of Vratsa there is a festive meeting – tattoo, which commemorates Botev and all who died in the name of the liberation of Bulgaria.
The State Philharmonic Orchestra
The symphony orchestra or the State Philharmonic Orchestra - Vratza consists of 60 musicians. It is the successor of the opera orchestra of Vratza, founded 1909. In 1973 it acquires a state status. Apart from the symphony concerts (about 65 a season) 2 or 3 operas are performed.
Regional library "Hristo Botev"
The library "Hristo Botev" is founded on December 24 in 1954 as Regional Methodical library. The library starts yours activity with two departments: "Supplying and cataloguing" and "A lending department". Later they established following departments: "Information and bibliographical services" (1958), Children`s department (1961), Reading room "The humanities, an applied sciences and exact sciences" (1963), Department "Regional studies" (1966), Department "Arts" (1970), Branch office "Dabnika" (1980), Reading room "Periodicals" (1996) and Department "Automation" (2000). Yours official name the library was get in 1965 year with command of Municipal Popular Council - Vratsa. Started yours activity with book-stock of 6788 fund today Library Hristo Botev is richest library in Northwest Bulgaria with most of 300 000 librarian units of various carriers of information: books, periodicals, CD, DVD, audiotapes, gramophone records, drawings and notes. The library "Hristo Botev" has got statute of deposit library in the first year of yours opening. That is why it has a fully and contemporary supplying of funds. It is attraction cultural and information center for readers - student, arts, scientist, teachers etc. The library was prized with order "Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodii" - II rank on October 30 in 1979 with decree N 1933 of State council of National Republic Bulgaria.
Municipal folklore dance group
The representative folklore dance group of the Municipality of Vratza was founded in 1967. Its main art instructor was Tsvetan Todorov. The number of the dancers is 60 people (35 women and 25 men) at different age. The folklore dance group was laureate of the IVth, Vth, VIth national festivals of the amateur art. The folklore group uses various dances from all folklore regions of Bulgaria. The audience is also from Cyprus, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Russia, France, Italy and Serbia. The most impressing success they have is the second place at the International Festival in Bremen – Germany in 2002. The cheers of the audience – "Bravo, Bulgarians" and "Welcome back, Bulgarian dancers" has always been part of their concerts abroad. The artistry of the dancers has become greater too and therefore dances with a plot are created in which the achievements of the dancers can be seen easily. The folklore dance group of the Municipality of Vratza has immense concert and public work. The group has over 30 concerts a year. With the great variety of their repertoire the dancers continue to move and make the audience happy.
Scout club
Organization of Bulgarian scouts is member of the World organization of scout movement. Scout club “Falcon – coanderer” – Vratza.The club is founded in April 1998. There are 78 scouts member – leaders and children from different ages. Scouts and friends of scouts from “Vassil Levski” School, Vratza, Bulgaria and from Dallas, Oregon, USA make posters together for the 1 st June - International Children`s Day and Day of Vratza.
District municipalities
Vratsa
The Municipality of Vratsa is located in the north-west of Bulgaria at the foot of Vratsa Mountain. It is the 16th largest municipality in Bulgaria in terms of territory and is 110 km away from Sofia. The city of Vratsa has a developed infrastructure and communications system. Important railway and road routes of national and international importance cross the territory of the municipality. The city of Vratsa is the junction where two of the largest European transport corridors meet - corridor No. 4 and corridor No. 7. The geographical location of the municipality will become even more important when the second Bulgarian bridge over the Danube is built at Vidin.
Vratsa Municipality has the largest number of industrial enterprises in North-West Bulgaria. They specialize mainly in textiles, chemical industry, furniture, wood-processing, construction and renovation, semi-finished products and assembly, foodstuffs, cotton and silk, building materials (cement), lathes, cutting machines, etc. There is a modern developed commercial network. The Municipality creates a favorable environment for foreign investments aimed at industry, tourism, agriculture, etc. and also at building appropriate infrastructure and fostering business. Stable and growing at a fast rate, the private sector is expanding into trade, public services, food processing, construction and some other industries. The region has a good potential for investment in Bulgarian property.
The city of Vratsa is located at the foot of the Balkan Range and covers a substantial part of the Vratsa Mountain Natural Park - one of the largest nature parks in Bulgaria. The park and Ledenika Cave (16 km west of Vratsa) attract climbers and tourists from Bulgaria and abroad and offer excellent conditions for ecotourism, climbing, winter sports, spelunking. The steep cliffs flanking the bed of the Leva River and the Borov Kamuk Waterfall are connected by a natural trail. There are three more nature trails, which allow one to commune with nature and history and also promote rural tourism at the villages of Chelopek, Pavolche and Zgorigrad. The Regional Museum of History in Vratsa displays the famous Rogozen Thracian silver treasure. The ethnographic Bulgarian Renaissance complex, the Tower of Meshchii dating back to the early Middle Ages, the central city square called Hristo Botev, the monument to Hristo Botev in the square and the modern House of Culture are the main landmarks in the central part of the city.
Byala Slatina
Byala Slatina Municipality is located in northwestern Bulgaria and is at almost equal distance from the Danube River and the Fore-Balkan. It is located in the hilly part of the Danubian Plain, on the terraces of the Skat River. The terrain is flat and hilly. The climate is moderate continental. The road network totals 147.41 km, including the main road artery connecting the eastern Black Sea coast with the country's West and several road arteries of regional significance.
Agriculture is the traditional backbone of local economy. Vegetable growing is not widely practiced. Live-stock breeding is being developed mostly in small family-run farms. Some of the bigger dairy farms are in the villages of Sokolare, Galiche and Altimir, and there is one pig-breeding farm in Vranyak. Industrial production is represented by machine-building enterprises, enterprises of the food & beverages industry, pharmaceuticals, tailoring and textile industry. The farming land totals 483,700,000 sq. m, the arable land is 428,700,000 sq. m, and forests occupy 32,000,000 sq. m. The land owned by the municipality is 29,000,000 sq. m. The region has very good potential for investment in Bulgarian property.
New construction includes a Municipality Hall and an Information and Services Centre, an Internet Centre; A Business Centre was constructed as part of the Employment in Support of Businesses (JOBS) Project; The following have been implemented under the "Beautiful Bulgaria" Project: a park in the central area of the town of Byala Slatina, and repairs and reconstruction of the Razvitie "chitalishte" (arts, culture and literature center) and adjoining grounds in the town of Byala Slatina; Construction of a Home for elderly people in the village of Popitsa; From Social Benefits to Employment. For three years the municipal administration has worked in co-operation with US Peace Corps on the Education and the Local Economic Development Programs.
The Kitkata protected area is on the territory of the municipality - it represents a cluster of 15 centenarian oak trees of the species Quercus Pubesces. A venerable oak, which is over 600 years old grows, in the Gorno Livade locality to the west of the village of Galiche. There are local traditions in game keeping and the organized hunting of fowl, hares, wild boars, foxes, jackals etc. Byala Slatina municipality is not a popular tourist destination. Although still untapped, there is potential for the development of cultural, rural and hunting tourism. The village of Bardarski Geran is populated entirely by Banat Bulgarians, professing the Catholic religion, who have preserved their specific customs, traditions, language, way of life and culture. The village provides both the conditions and the appropriate interest of local residents for the development of cultural tourism. There is a pool of buildings in good repair - single-family houses with specific architecture and furnishings. The local population has rich and interesting customs, traditions and culture differing from those found elsewhere in the country and the region. Bardarski Geran has all the prerequisites to be turned into a tourist village providing interesting and untraditional tourist services. One of the most authentic villages in the region is the village of Altimir, through which the Botev chetniks passed. The region is attractive place for the development of rural tourism.
Borovan
Borovan Municipality is situated in the northwestern part of Bulgaria. It is at a distance of 150 km from Sofia. The road network in the Municipality is of 176 km length. The Municipality is traversed by: the main road thoroughfare, which connects the Black Sea Coast to the western parts of Bulgaria; the main road Sofia - Oryahovo ferryboat; and several roads of regional importance.
The main means of livelihood for the population is agriculture. The total area of the land is 184,657 sq. m, of which the arable land is 167.349 sq. m. The soils presuppose the application of technological solutions suitable for the development of grains growing, perennial crops and vegetables growing and fodder production. A new stockbreeding farm has been set up in Nivjanin village.
The region of Borovan has been inhabited by humans as early as since the Copper-Stone age. Two prehistoric settlements of those times have been found. There are artifacts of the Bronze Age in the Borovanska Mogila locality. In the Iron Age there were two Thracian settlements in the region of Borovan with two Thracian necropolises. The today's village of Borovan spreads over the remains of a large Thracian-Roman settlement. There is a museum in Borovan village, which is a rare case in small municipalities of this type. In Nivjanin village there is a museum exhibition representing the life and works of the poet Ivan Nivjanin, whose name the village has taken.
Kozloduy
The Municipality of Kozloduy is located in the eastern part of North-West Bulgaria in the Danube Plain, at an altitude of 25 m. The relief is mainly level ground. The ratio of the different types of area is as follows: farmland - 23,403.7 ha.; forestland - 1,019.1 ha.; population centers and other urban areas - 2,176.5 ha.; water bodies - 1,767.3 ha.; areas with mineral resources and landfill sites - 11.6 ha.; transport and infrastructure areas - 109.2 ha. Water resources are a great potential for the municipality. The Danube River is not only navigable but is also used for industrial purposes in the operation of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. The network of streets is 210 km, including 22 km that are part of the republican road network. In the mayoralties alone the road network is 142 km. The density of the road network is higher than the national average - 73.68 km/100 sq. km. In the territory of the Municipality of Kozloduy there are 17,990 km of fourth-class roads and 22 km of third-class roads. There is a road running round Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant which is 6.7 km long. With the optical fibre between Knezha, Oriahovo, Mizia and Kozloduy now in place, the town is being converted to a digital telephone network.
Power engineering is the core sector of the economy of the municipality. Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant is a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly producer of power, which meets national and international requirements and satisfies quality and reliability standards. The power plant produces 45 % of the Bulgarian electricity. The larger companies operate mainly in construction and are hired by the power plant as contractors. Managed land on the territory of the Municipality is 20% of the total area, and the arable land is 82%. Ownership over all the agricultural land has been restored. Arable land covers 217.82 sq. km. The share of fields is considerable - 209.49 sq. km. Forestland occupies 10.19 sq. km. The area has great potential for investment in Bulgarian property. Tourism in Kozloduy Municipality is related largely to the possibility of recreation and entertainment for the local population. There are two main tourist routes crossing the municipality - the National Tourist Route called "Following the Steps of Botev and His Men from Kozloduy to Okolchitsa" and the International Riverside Route along the Danube. The Sites visited by tourist groups are the National Museum on the Radetski Steamboat - Kozloduy, the historic Kozloduy Bank of the Danube with Hristo Botev's Monument, the new museum exhibition called "Kozloduy - the new junction of Bulgaria", the impressive Botev Park with its recreational and sports facilities, Mateev Geran - a historical site, the excavations of the Augusta Romana Fortress near the village of Hurlets and the Popovo Hanche in the village of Butanthe, Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant during the open-door days.
Krivodol
Krivodol Municipality is situated in the northwestern part of Bulgaria. The relief is undulating and high-mountainous and includes the valleys of the Botounya, Leva and Ribinya rivers. The territory of the Municipality is traversed by the main railway line in Northwestern Bulgaria, Sofia - Vidin; main road Е - 79 (Sofia - Mezdra - Vidin), which is a part of the large trans-border highway; and the road Montana - Borovan - Pleven - Varna. Given the closeness of Krivodol to the large economic centers of Vratsa and Montana, as well as its crossroad location, there are favorable preconditions and potential for the establishing zones of actively developing industry, farming, trade and warehousing activities along the transport corridors.
The fields of the Fore-Balkans, the river valleys, the fertile land and the favorable climatic conditions are conducive to good development of agriculture. The latter is an important sector and major means of livelihood for the population. The main sectors are growing grains and cattle for milk. Some old mills have been recovered; a new mill with modern equipment meeting the European standards has been built, as well as two small dairies and a large milk-processing enterprise. The poultry and rabbit slaughterhouse in Kravoder village has been renovated to meet Western countries' standards and produces wide range of products; its output of proven quality for the market. The region offer good opportunities for investment in Bulgarian property.
Krivodol is one of the oldest settlements in the region. During the Copper-Stone age (5000-4000 BC) two original and successive in time chalcolite cultures emerged on the land of today's Western Bulgaria - the Gradeshnitsa culture and the Krivodol culture. A clay plate with written symbols on it - the first alphabet in Europe - has been found near Gradeshnitsa village. The plate is kept as an exhibit in the National Historical Museum. Unique historical monuments have been preserved on the territory of the Municipality - Rustica Roman villa and an antique mausoleum near Ourovene village, remains of Roman fortresses in the vicinity of the villages of Ossen, Kravoder, Galatin, etc. Sights of interest to tourists are the Joan the Foreteller monastery, known also as the Gradeshki monastery; the karst cave near Botounya village; the Septemvrijtsi memorial complex in Tomin Most locality; the Matnishki monastery and others.
Mezdra
The Municipality of Mezdra is located in Vratsa District. Its close proximity to the border control points at Calafat, Vrushka Chuka, and Kalotina, as well as to Sofia /100 km., respectively Sofia Airport, provides good transport connections between the municipality and foreign countries. The town of Mezdra is a significant railway center of national importance - it is a major railway junction in northwestern and central Bulgaria. There are convenient road connections. All the population centers are covered by the municipal transport system. The road network comprises 132 km of fourth-class roads. The town of Mezdra is being converted to natural gas. The distribution natural gas pipelines supplying the main public and industrial users have been buried. There are 5 industrial, 33 public and 288 residential users currently using natural gas. The main source of water for the town of Mezdra is the Srechenska Bara Hydro Complex. 98 % of the sewerage network of the town has been built. Industry is the upstream branch in the economy of the municipality. The investment in Bulgarian property in the region offers a good annual return.
The optimum use of natural resources for recreation and tourism such as: villages, natural sights, the proximity to the Vratsa Mountain and the good infrastructure, can promote holidays in the country. Within the boundaries of the municipality there is the Cherepish Monastery - 14-th century A.D. The places of interest in the monastery include Rashidov's building, Methodius' building, Danail's building and the charnel-house. The monastery is in use. Ritlite - unique rock formations are situated on the left bank of the River Iskar, near the village of Liuti Brod. Right next to them the remains of the fortresses of Koriten Grad, Zagrad, Bain Grad and Shishmanovo Kale are found. There is the ancient and mediaeval fortress of Kaleto situated on chalcolith remains near the town of Mezdra, on the bank of the Iskаr River. The well preserved remains of the walls and the dwelling places date back to the end of the 14-th century A.D. The Iskar Gorge can offer ecotourism, rock-climbing, tourist trips, paragliding and hang-gliding, extreme sports. The Iskar riverside and the dam lakes on the territory of the municipality are a perfect opportunity for fans of tourist and sports fishing. The traditional crafts in the villages located in mountainous and hilly areas away from large roads create a prerequisite to the development of rural tourism. The small private farms in these villages provide organic farming produce.
Oryahovo
The municipality is located in an area of geo-strategic importance. Three ports, a border control point and a ferry /Oryahovo-Bechet/ are located on its territory. The town is also the final destination of one of the branches of international road E-79. Oryahovo is 200 km away from the capital city and 78 km away from the regional centre, Vratsa. The region offers approximately good annual return of the investment in Bulgarian property.
There are 38 cultural monuments on the territory of the municipality, of which two are of national significance - the Kamaka (The Stone) Fortress 9 c. - 14 c. and the Revival period church St George, 1837. The following are also worth seeing: The remains of antique fortresses Variana near the village of Leskovets and Valeriana near the village of Dolni Vadin; The Museum of History of Oryahovo keeping over 6,000 exhibits. Two of these - the statue of the Good Shepherd and the Stone Cross of 4 c. are of priceless historical value; The Revival-period house; The Nadezhda Cultural Center, 1871, The Diko Iliev Museum house; The Monument to Romanian liberators, the statue was made by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocci; The Assumption of the Virgin church which first opened doors in 1906. Every year in Oryahovo a one-week traditional fair is held with numerous concert performances, many cultural and sports events. These sites of interest and cultural events are all factors favoring the development of historical and cultural tourism. Because of the numerous local landslides a number of reinforcement facilities have been made in the town of Oryahovo, the village of Ostrov, Gorni and Dolni Vadin. The riverside border of the municipality runs for more than 50 km. The well-kept sandy river banks and the beautiful island of Esperanto favor the development of fishing, rowing and swimming sports, water jet sports, recreational and environmental tourism. The villages in the municipality also provide good conditions for developing rural tourism.
Roman
Roman Municipality is situated in Northwestern Bulgaria and occupies the southeastern part of Vratsa District. Roman town is at a distance of 42 km to the east of the District Center of Vratsa, 29 km to the east of Mezdra city and 120 km to the northeast of Sofia city. The roads from Roman town to the neighboring municipalities are mostly of fourth class and are in radial pattern. Roman town is a railway station along the central northern railway line Sofia - Varna, which traverses the territory of the Municipality from the west (Sinjo Bardo railway stop) to the east (Kounino station) along the Iskar River valley.
The following economic sectors are developed in the Municipality: foodstuffs industry (bread production, confectionary, meat processing, milk processing) metal casting and metal working, and others. Roman Municipality renders active assistance and support to the development of small and medium business. It undertakes active initiatives for raising funds from the European Union Pre-accession Funds and from other programs and donors. The Municipality has unoccupied land plots destined for construction of enterprises, as well as unused municipal buildings. The area has a good potential for investment in Bulgarian property.
The geographic location is conducive to the development of tourism both owing to the environmentally clean and magnificent nature, and to the presence of unique archeological finds. Roman town lies over remains of the Bronze Age (2000 BC). Iskar Oasis Tourist Company has been incorporated with the purpose of implementing diverse forms of tourism, such as ecotourism, rural tourism, and for advertising the tourist sites. Good facilities are the tourist lodge near Roman town, and Gorska Feja villa with 20 beds in the vicinity of Karash village. One km to the south of Stroupets railway stop is the Stroupets Monastery built in 1857. The small church in it, which has preserved mural paintings of 16 c., is of interest. A major component in tourism development in Roman Municipality will be the tourist center in Karash village, which will be designed and built for rural tourism. The nature and the location of the Municipality offer favorable prospects for development of hunting and fishing tourism.
Hairedin
Hairedin Municipality is situated in the northwestern part of the Republic of Bulgaria. It is at a distance of 25 to the south of the Danube and falls within the geographical boundaries of the Danubian Plain, in the Zlatiata fertile zone. The average altitude above sea level is 113.8 m. The relief is flat and slightly hilly. Fertile humus soil prevails. The water resources of the Municipality are limited. The main water source is the Ogosta River and the dam lakes in the vicinity of the villages of Rogozen and Barzina. The transport network in the Municipality consists of third- and fourth-class roads. The density of the roads network is 49.9 km / 100 sq. km. The economic infrastructure of the Municipality is agrarian-industrial in nature with farming as a dominant sector. Farming is carried out on 171,145,000 sq. m of land, of which 142,671,000 sq. m is fields, 1,478,000 sq. m is occupied by perennial crops, 5,565,000 sq. m is natural meadows and 16,640,000 sq. m is common land and pastures. Grains production is traditional in the Municipality. Most of the arable land is sown with wheat and barley, and the rest - with corn, sunflower and tobacco. Stockbreeding is concentrated mainly in family farms. The fixed assets of the industry are large in terms of buildings; however the production process technology is obsolete. Small and medium business gives the profile of the industry infrastructure. A deposit of "moushelcalc" (Bulgarian term for a specific variety of limestone with larger pores than in common limestone, suitable for facades coating) exists in the vicinity of Manastirishte village. Considerable deposits of aggregates are located along the Ogosta River course. Six small companies for production of bread and snacks have been set up. The whole production infrastructure is privately owned. 95 private companies with retail trade and services as main subject of activities have been registered. The municipality offers good opportunities for investment in Bulgarian property.
Today's Hairedin village was founded in 7 c. as a garrison of a Khan Asparouh rampart, and used to serve as a fortification against the invasion of the barbarians. Nowadays this facility is an architectural sight. In the beginning of 1986 in Rogozen village 165 silver-golden vessels were found; they are known as the Rogozen Thracian Treasure. Four "chitalishta" (arts, culture and literature centers) operate in the Municipality and treasure the culture and tradition of the local folklore. There is a healing mineral spring in the vicinity of Hairedin village. The Saint Paraskeva Christian church was consecrated in 1862.
Places to visit
The following protected natural attractions and historical monuments are located on the territory of the State Forestry Board Vratsa: Vrachanski Karst reserve - including the beautiful rocky forms of the Vratsa Mountain; The Natural Park Vrachanski Balkan - covers part of the State Forestry territory of the Stara Planina mountain; Ledenika cave, a national tourist attraction; Ponora cave in the region of Chiren village; Vratsata gourge of the Leva river by the town of Vratsa; The Gods Bridges - a natural rocky bridge and the karst spring in the Lilyache village region; Borovanska mogila - an ancient Thracian fortress; Botev pat memorial; The highest waterfall Skaklya, with a height of 141 metres.
