Archaeological Park "Topolnitsa" is located on Mount Sveta Petka above the village of Chavdar - heir to the oldest population discovered by scientists in the Central Highlands.
The locality is named after the patron saint of the village, Saint Petka.
The place is not accidental, because the view from it is exceptional! From there you can see the entire Zlatishka valley, even the Topolnitsa river.
This peak was inhabited by the most ancient culture and population ever discovered by scientists in the Central Highlands.
The settlement was discovered quite by accident in 1967 during preparations for planting an orchard. The study of the Chavdar Neolithic culture started in May 1968, and with a one-year break, ended in 1980.
Archaeological excavations near the Topolnitsa River prove that there was an organized life in this picturesque place 7,000 years ago.
A chapel "St. Petka" was built at this place.
The park was officially opened on October 27, 2012.
The unique feature of the park is that residential buildings can be seen and visited in it, which were built according to the plan and reconstruction of the found remains of an early Neolithic settlement, as well as ceramics and vessels dating from the Neolithic.
One of the oldest cultures in Southeast Europe was discovered here.
Extremely valuable painted pottery was discovered, which was later given to specialists for research. Archaeologists from Great Britain were involved in the work on the settlement mound, which in prehistoric times was essentially a settlement on stilt dwellings by the river, and with their participation a stratigraphic sounding of the terrain was carried out, which in turn proved the existence of seven cultural layers.
Workshops for stone tools, pottery and leather working are included in the park.
Everything from the Neolithic can be seen here.
Before the discovery of metals, all the tools of labor were made of stones, animal bones, wood, and whatever could be obtained from nature.
There are various vessels, a hand mill which is called a chromel, pitos and potter's wheels.
In the spacious exhibition hall, you will have the opportunity to experience the history of the seven cultural layers found in the settlement mound through boards, posters, photos and guided talks.
There is also an exhibition that tells about the history of the village of Chavdar.
The houses are built of interlocking stakes plastered with clay and have a hearth, oven, granary, table and chairs.
Each of the five houses has its own name. Three of the cottages can be rented for overnight stays, and visitors should bring their own bedding and be willing to have an unusual experience. They are built with wooden pomegranates, mattresses, a fireplace and small chairs and a table. For time travel enthusiasts, this is a unique way to step back in time to the Neolithic Age 7,000 years ago, even if only for a short time, at a nominal cost.
How to reach Chavdar village?
Chavdar is a village in Western Bulgaria. It is the center and only inhabited place in Chavdar municipality, Sofia region.
The village of Chavdar is located near the Sub-Balkan road*.
*Republican road I-6, better known as the Sub-Balkan road, is a first-class road from the Republic road network of Bulgaria with a direction from west to east, crossing the territory of nine districts: Kyustendilska, Pernishka, Sofia region, Sofiaska, Plovdivska, Starozagorska, Sliven, Yambol and Burgas.
Its total length is 508.5 km, which makes it the longest national road in Bulgaria.
Chavdar stands for:
72 kilometers (about 1 hour and 8 minutes by car) from the capital
124 kilometers (about 1 hour and 55 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
435 kilometers (about 5 hours and 19 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
328 kilometers (about 3 hours and 57 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
The village of Chavdar is located in a mountainous area.
The municipality of Chavdar is located in the Zlatishko-Pirdop valley, at the foot of Stara Planina, adjacent to the towns of Chelopech, Zlatitsa and Pirdop. It consists of only one settlement - the village of Chavdar. The population is about 1100 inhabitants - the eighth smallest municipality in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Walking around Chavdar is an extraordinary charm that I recommend you to do!
In Chavdar, an annual assembly is held on Mount Sveta Petka, which is located above the village.
A chapel "St. Petka" was built at this place.
Near the village are the uniquely beautiful and easily accessible Kazanite waterfalls - a natural phenomenon of five charming and beautiful waterfalls on the Bererei river, descending from a height of 15 meters, forming a cascade of clear ice water.
How to get to Archaeological Park "Topolnitsa"?
The starting point is the village of Chavdar. In the village there are a number of information signs "Archaeological Park "Topolnitsa" which indicate the right direction.
What can you visit nearby?
Only 11 kilometers east of the village of Chavdar (about 12 minutes by car) is the town of Zlatitsa.
The city of Zlatica is one of my favorite cities to which I like to return again and again.
In the city center, be sure to have a lot of fun in the "Grandfather's Glove" park.
The old clock tower of Zlatitsa is located very close to the "Grandfather's Glove" park.
From the old clock tower, head towards the northeastern part of Zlatitsa, north of the railway line, where "Stara planina" street is located. Taking it, you will soon find yourself outside the northern outskirts in the foothills of the Balkans, where the rumble will tell you that you are approaching Zlatiski Waterfall.
In the immediate vicinity of the waterfall itself are the stairs that will take you to the chapel of St. St. Cyric and Iulita. The place offers an extremely beautiful view of the entire Zlatiška hollow.
If you continue to the left past the waterfall, you will find yourself at the Ascension Monastery and Spasovo Kladchenche.
"Gergana" fountain in the city of Zlatica, inspired by Slaveykov's "Fountain of the White Leg", is located about one kilometer south of the city center on "Medet" street, not far from the last houses, on the road leading to the area of the same name, in the direction the village of Panagyurski colonies and the town of Panagyurishte.
Only 9 kilometers south of the town of Zlatitsa (about 11 minutes by car) in the middle of the picturesque Medet Pass in Soschinska Sredna Gora is the "New Kemer" bridge.
23 kilometers south of the town of Zlatitsa (about 28 minutes by car) in the middle of the inspiringly beautiful Sochtinska Sredna Gora at an altitude of 1050 meters on a pass east of Mount Bratiya is the village of Panagyurski Colonies.
Just 10 kilometers east of the town of Zlatica (about 14 minutes by car) are the majestic ruins of the Elenska Basilica, which you should not miss in any case.
Near the ruins of the Elenska Basilica, as a memory of the destroyed Bulgarian monastery, in 2010, the "St. Ilia" chapel was erected and consecrated.
Just 12 kilometers south-east of the town of Zlatica (about 14 minutes by car) is the picturesque Midland jewel of Dushantsi.
Let your walk also take you to the beautiful church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius".
Dušanci is a delightful place in every season! Proof of this are the magnificent photo moments with the wonderful Christmas and New Year decorations, bringing so much delight to our senses!
At the end of the village, be sure to turn left, where an authentic Roman Kufarita bridge awaits you.
Continuing after the Kufarita bridge, the road will take you to the "St. George" chapel above Dushantsi, from where you will enjoy a wonderful view of the entire Zlatiška valley.
The road after the village will take you to the "Dushantsi" dam - magnificent in every season - in autumn, in winter and on the border between spring and summer. Enjoy it!
Only 12 kilometers east of the town of Zlatica (about 14 minutes by car) is the peaceful, green and so beautiful village of Anton.
Very close to the village on the Sub-Balkan road itself is the charming Antonovsky waterfall (also Antonovsky waterfall or the Butterfly).
All the unsurpassed beauty of the Zlatishko-Pirdopski historical region is collected in a single route "Wonders of the Zlatishko-Pirdopski region", prepared by me for you with a lot of love and which is a wonderful idea for the weekend!
All the ideas presented here are completely suitable and doable within a weekend!
Only 32 kilometers south of the town of Zlatitsa (about 37 minutes by car) is the Koprivshtitsa City-Museum Archaeological-Historical Reserve - site number 75 of Bulgaria's 100 national tourist sites.
Near the town, I suggest you visit the impressively beautiful and so charming Koprivshtitsa station.
In Koprivshtitsa, make sure you take the time to visit the Revival Church "St. Nicholas".
A walk through the green pastures around the town of Koprivshtitsa will shake you out of the gray everyday life and positively charge you, and I highly recommend it!
On a vast territory, located between the picturesque towns of Koprivshtitsa and Strelcha, you will find several ancient megalithic sanctuaries - Skumsale, Isara, Kiselitsa, Kulata.
Just 21 kilometers south of the town of Koprivshtitsa (about 25 minutes by car) you will find the charming jewel of Strelcha.
In the town of Strelcha you can enjoy the singing and dancing fountain "The Ballerina".
Don't forget to bow your head near the magnificent temple-monument "St. Archangel Michael", which rises in the city of Strelcha.
Just 32 kilometers east of the town of Zlatica (about 29 minutes by car) you will find the historic town of Klisura.
Only about 70 kilometers northeast of the city of Zlatica (about an hour and 13 minutes by car) you will find the monument "Arch of Freedom", which is erected on Goraltepe peak (1595 meters) near the Troyan pass (Troyan - Karnare pass).
From here you can see incredible panoramic views of Northern and Southern Bulgaria.
Just 57 kilometers east of the town of Zlatica (about 49 minutes by car) is the town of Sopot.
In Sopot, you must visit the "Ivan Vazov" house-museum.
In the city of Sopot, you can visit the charming Sopot waterfalls.
Only 62 kilometers east of the town of Zlatica (about 57 minutes by car) is the town of Karlovo.
In Karlovo, I recommend taking a walk to the Ethnographic Complex "Old Karlovo".
It includes five houses - monuments of culture with remarkable cultural value. These are:
Each of the houses gives birth to its own unique message, which directs the guest in different directions, provokes desires and memories in him, makes him dream.
The integrity of the architectural ensemble is unique and inimitable, and every visitor could feel that great revival spirit that still roams the narrow cobbled streets of "Old Karlovo".
Ethnographic complex "Old Karlovo" is object number 44b of the 100 national tourist objects.
In Karlovo, I recommend taking a walk to the beautiful Suchurum waterfall.
And as a finale, my dear friends,
you shouldn't miss a look
the special album with photo moments –
discovered, experienced, captured and shared with you!