The beautiful Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River and the picturesque canyon near the Dryanovska Monastery "St. Archangel Michael"
- Stefan Ivanov
- May 23
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 2
The Dryanovska River, which in its upper reaches is called the Radevska River, then the Plachkovska River and the Tryavnenska River, flows in Northern Bulgaria - Gabrovo Region (Tryavna and Dryanovo municipalities) and Veliko Tarnovo Region (Veliko Tarnovo municipality).
Dryanovska River is a left tributary of the Belitsa River, a river from the Yantra basin. Its total length is 59.3 kilometers, which places it 67th among the rivers of Bulgaria.
The Dryanovska River rises at 980 meters above sea level from the southwestern foot of the 1,072-meter-high Kamenarkata peak, towering in the Tryavna Mountains.
To the town of Plachkovtsi, the Dryanovska River flows in a deep forested valley, after which its valley widens to the town of Tryavna. Another deep and forested valley follows, after which between the villages of Durcha and Tsareva Livada its valley widens again.
4 kilometers southwest of the town of Dryanovo, the Dryanovska River forms an incredibly picturesque, deep and difficult-to-pass gorge with sheer rock ridges in the eastern part of the limestone plateau Strazhata - in the area of the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
In the midst of this beautiful and impressive landscape, the river flows at about 270 meters above sea level.
West of the gorge lies the enchantingly beautiful gorge of the Andaka River – a left tributary of the Dryanovska River and its remarkable cascade of waterfalls.
In the area of the limestone plateau Strazhata, the Dryanovska River and its left tributary, the Andaka River, have carved three rock crowns.
To the east rises the rocky ridge of Strinava, to the west is Polichki, and to the south is Boruna.
Thanks to karstification*, a variety of rock formations can be found throughout the area, including over 35 caves and surface karst fields.
* Karstification is the process of dissolution of carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite under the influence of water and carbon dioxide. This leads to the formation of various karst forms such as caves, ravines and underground rivers. The process is dynamic and depends on factors such as climate, relief and the chemical composition of the water.
Two of the more famous caves in the area are Bacho Kiro Cave – a complex four-story labyrinth of cave galleries and branches with a total area of about 3,600 square meters, declared a natural landmark in 1937, and Andaka Cave – with a total area of 5,000 square meters. They were formed in the Boruna rock massif, formed between the gorge and the gorge of the two rivers. Right in front of the entrance to the Bacho Kiro Cave natural landmark, the picturesque Dryanovo Eco-Trail starts.
As a result of geological activity, mainly of water, during the Quaternary**, the difference in elevation between the two riverbeds and the highest parts of the plateau has reached an impressive 250 meters.
**The Quaternary is a geological period that began about 2.588 million years ago and continues today. It is the youngest period of the Neozoic era and is divided into two main stages - the Pleistocene (the older one) and the Holocene (which began about 12,000 years ago and continues today). During this period, significant climatic changes occurred, including ice ages, which influenced the development of flora, fauna and human civilization. The Quaternary is particularly interesting because many of today's ecosystems were formed during it.
Geological activity is also the reason why the rivers are dotted with numerous waterfalls.
The Boruna Rock Ridge, formed in the middle of the Urgon*** limestones, is a 150-meter-high sheer wall just below the upper edge of the plateau.
***Urgon refers to the Urgon facies – a geological term associated with Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. These rocks were formed about 110-120 million years ago in shallow marine reefs during the Barremian and early Aptian ages of the Early Cretaceous. The term originates from the town of Urgon in southern France and is used to describe specific limestone and marl deposits, rich in fossils such as corals, mussels, snails, ammonites and sea urchins. In Bulgaria, Urgon limestones can be seen in various geological sites, including the Emen Canyon.
Andaka Cave (also known as the Big Cave, Pop Haritonova Cave, and the Water Cave) is primarily a water cave, with most of its water coming from the nearby river of the same name. It is definitely an interesting sight with the building built at the entrance to the gallery, which seems to be built into the rock massif. The flow of water passing through the cave is large, which is why a water treatment plant has been built in one of the galleries, which functioned until 1979 for the water supply of the town of Dryanovo.
The cave is protected due to the populations of rare bat species in it, some of which are listed in the Red Book. In terms of its size, it ranks sixth in Bulgaria.
An architectural and construction monument of culture from Antiquity and the Middle Ages, ranked No. 22 among the Hundred National Tourist Sites of Bulgaria, the natural landmark Bacho Kiro Cave (also known as the Small Cave and the Bear Hole) was until recently considered the cave that sheltered the oldest population in Europe. Numerous bones have been found in it - from a cave bear, deer, etc., as well as numerous tools and drawings. In practice, this is the oldest studied cave in Bulgaria, which has a developed part and attracts a continuous tourist flow. The picturesque Dryanovska eco-trail also starts in front of the entrance to the cave.
The beautiful Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River
A narrow, but very easy, short and pleasant trail leads to the impressively beautiful Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River, which starts to the left of the bridge over the river, erected behind the walls of the Dryanovska Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
At a normal pace, in between 5 and 10 minutes we find ourselves in front of the waterfall.
The opposite steep cliffs of the Strinava rock ridge make a huge impression, at the foot of which the waters of the Dryanovska River flow, which at this time of year are particularly noisy and turbulent, and the river itself is particularly full-flowing.
We reach a vast lake that the waterfall forms, cascading down the rocks.
We are at the foot of the Boruna rock ridge, which towers above us.
The noise of Sini Vir and its fountains create unreal beauty.
The roar of the water drowns out all other sounds.
The flowers of spring have covered the surface of the water in the lake. I am capturing all of this for you.
If you liked my film, don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, where many more incredible videos and films revealing the beauty of our homeland await you.
After the town of Dryanovo, the valley of the Dryanovska River once again becomes wide and west of the town of Debelets at 144 meters above sea level it flows from the left into the Belitsa River.
Twelve settlements are located along the Dryanovska River, including four towns and eight villages.
The area around the Dryanovska River Canyon is closely connected to the life of the people of the Dryanovska region. Even during the Paleolithic era, ancient man found shelter in the many caves around and hunted for food on the plateau rich in wildlife.
The Thracians appreciated the advantages of the rock ridges formed by flowing rivers for the construction of fortifications.
Remains of a Roman fortress have also been discovered, and the largest in size is the fortress "Boruna" (also known as "Strinava"), where, according to some, the Second Bulgarian Empire was founded with the victory of the Asenovtsi over the numerous army of the Byzantine emperor Isaac II Angel, who for a long time vainly besieged the main fortress in 1190. Due to the pivotal position of the fortress and the observation towers built on the plateau, it ensured the security of the capital Tarnovgrad until the Ottoman invasion. There are opinions that the Bulgarian army was defeated here, which is supported by the fact that it was at this time that the fortress was razed to the ground.
Since the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" has also been located here.
"St. Archangel Michael" was founded around 1200 during the time of Tsar Kaloyan.
During the April Uprising, the detachment of Bacho Kiro and priest Hariton hid in it, leading a 9-day battle with the Turkish army that greatly outnumbered them, and almost all the chetniks died, and traces of the Turkish artillery can still be seen on the walls of the church of "St. Archangel Michael".
Today, an ossuary has been erected in the courtyard of the Dryanovo Monastery.
The Dryanovo River Canyon is a natural landmark that ranks among the geological phenomena of continental significance.
The canyon of the Dryanovska River, the karst formations and the picturesque natural landscape, together with the remains of the ancient and medieval history of the region, make it extremely interesting in terms of tourism and favorable for the development of tourism.
How do you get to the starting point of the trail leading to the Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River?
The starting point of the trail leading to the Sini Vir waterfall on the Dryanovska River is located to the left of the bridge over the river, rising behind the walls of the Dryanovska Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
You can leave your car by the road leading to the monastery, where no parking fee is required.
Near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael", as well as directly in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the monastery, parking is paid.
After leaving your car in a convenient place for you, head to the courtyard of the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
Pass the Church of St. Archangel Michael and head towards the small and narrow doorway at the back of the monastery.
Coming out of it, climb onto the bridge built over the waters of the Dryanovska River.
The trail starts to the left of the bridge. At a normal pace, in between 5 and 10 minutes you will find yourself in front of the waterfall.
What can you visit nearby?
Dryanovo (spelling until 1945: Drѣnovo) is a town located at the foot of the Stara Planina Mountains, in Central Northern Bulgaria.
It is located in the Gabrovo region, at the crossroads between Northern and Southern Bulgaria, near the cities of Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna, Gabrovo and Sevlievo.
The town is the administrative center of the Dryanovo municipality.
Dryanovo is located among the beautiful and rounded hills of the Central Fore-Balkans.
On the territory of the municipality is the continuation of the Mikren Heights – the rocky limestone plateau of Strazhata, cut through by the bizarre gorges of the Yantra River and the Dryanovska River.
The altitude varies from 180 to 640 meters above sea level. The highest point in the region is Balabana – over 620 meters above sea level.
The city is located on the highway Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - Gabrovo - Shipka - Stara Zagora. The station is on the main railway artery connecting Northern and Southern Bulgaria - Ruse - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Dabovo - Podkova.
In the Dryanovo region, the oldest traces of life on the Balkan Peninsula were discovered - in the Bacho Kiro cave near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
Numerous remains of ancient settlements, fortresses, columns with inscriptions and decorations from the time of the Thracians and Romans have also been found.
During the Ottoman rule, Dryanovo managed to preserve the Bulgarian spirit, with Dryanovo's spiritual centers being among the great guardians of the Christian faith and Bulgarian writing, traditions, and culture.
In 1778, a clock tower was built in the center of Dryanovo, which was destroyed twice.
Dryanovsk masters and builders were extremely prominent and worked in various parts of the empire, and even beyond its borders. This gives grounds to speak of a Dryanovsk building school.
Undoubtedly, even today the most famous Dryanovec and prominent representative of the school is Nikola Fichev, better known as Usta Kolyu Ficheto.
The historical museum in the city presents in an extremely interesting and impressive way the work of the most famous Dryanovo resident and Bulgarian Renaissance builder.
Dryanovo is located:
212 kilometers (about 2 hours and 48 minutes by car) from the capital
156 kilometers (about 2 hours and 46 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
244 kilometers (about 2 hours and 57 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
227 kilometers (about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
Only 21 kilometers south of the city of Dryanovo (about 25 minutes by car) is the city of Gabrovo. In Gabrovo, you must visit the Architectural and Ethnographic Complex and Open-Air Museum "Etar"
Just 16 kilometers from the city of Gabrovo (about 26 minutes by car) you will find the charming jewel of Bozhentsi, which you should definitely visit.
Just 22 kilometers east of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is beautiful Tryavna, which I definitely recommend you visit.
About 23 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is the Freedom Monument, known as the Shipka Monument.
About 48 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 58 minutes by car) is the city of Kazanlak.
In Kazanlak you can visit the Rose Museum.
After you have viewed the rich exhibition of the museum, I suggest you take a relaxing walk through the wonderful alleys of the Rosarium Park in the town of Kazanlak.
In the town of Kazanlak, I suggest you also visit the church of St. Elijah, also known as the Kulen Church.
Just 5 kilometers south of the town of Kazanlak (about 8 minutes by car) is the village of Buzovgrad, where the wonderful adventure of the "Path through the Ages" eco-trail begins.
You shouldn't miss it for anything in the world!
48 kilometers east of Kazanlak (about 40 minutes by car) you will find the Zhrebchevo Dam. The ruins of the submerged church of St. Ivan Rilski still stand near the dam.
23 kilometers west of Kazanlak (about 25 minutes by car) you will find the town of Pavel Banya.
3 kilometers east of Pavel Banya (about 5 minutes by car) you will find the village of Viden. Near the village still stand the ruins of the wonderful church of St. Anastasius.
4 kilometers south of Pavel Banya (about 7 minutes by car) is the village of Turia.
Here you can visit the birthplace of Chudomir.
On the square in front of Chudomir's house you can see a monument to the Chetnik Tsanko Minkov Dechev - Komitata, who was born in Turia Botev.
In Turia you can enjoy an authentic Roman bridge called "Skoca".
8 kilometers from Turia (about 9 minutes by car) you can enjoy the natural landmark "Kichest Gabbar".
Very close to "Kichest Gabar" you can explore Kutela.
You are reading an ad-free blog – fully focused on the content!
I remind you that you can read all my posts here – in "Photo Moments", without being interrupted by a single annoying ad, because "Photo Moments" is a place without ads!
I made the important decision to make "Photo Moments" ad-free so that my site can load much faster, the content I present to you can be as clean as possible, and your experience in "Photo Moments" can be the best possible!
If you appreciate everything I do, you can support me HERE or by following the gold star below.
Thank you!
And finally, my dear friends,
you shouldn't miss checking out
the special photo album with moments –
discovered, experienced, filmed and shared with you!
Comments