Dryanovo, One Day In The Bulgarian Balkans
We suggest you visit Dryanovo, a small town in the Balkan area of Bulgaria. It has truly attractive surroundings, with a little bit of everything. A historic monastery, a cave, some very attractive nature trails and very beautiful panoramic views await you there.
Dryanovo may not be the most famous in Bulgaria, but everyone who discovers it is delighted. We want you to accompany us on a small route. Everything that awaits you here will surely surprise you.
The city of Dryanovo is located in the heart of the Bulgarian territory and is part of the province of Gabrovo. We cannot really say that the city has any special charm, instead, its surroundings are magnificent. There, places like these that we are going to detail await you.
Dryanovo Monastery
One of the most important monasteries in Bulgaria is this one in Dryanovo, which is located just 6 kilometers from the streets of this city. Its origins date back to the 12th century, but then it was built in a different place today.
Due to various vicissitudes in history, such as the Ottomans’ attacks, the place was razed and raised on several occasions. However, at the end of the 17th century, the Dryanovo monastery was built on its current site.
However, it was burned down again and rebuilt, as early as the 19th century. Since then there is the monastery of San Miguel Arcángel that is visited today. A visit whose most interesting part is the area dedicated to an exhibition in which the infinity of vestiges that so many centuries have left are shown.
Staying at the monastery
By the way, the Dryanovo monastery can be visited. But it is even possible to stay there. This is common in various monasteries in Bulgaria, such as Rila. Of course, they are simple, very humble accommodations, somehow set in the spiritual and sober environment that surrounds a convent.
Bacho Kiro’s cave
The ideal complement for the vast majority of visitors to the Dryanovo monastery is to take a walk of a few hundred meters, that is, a 10-minute walk, to the Bacho Kiro cave. The interior of this cavity is perfectly conditioned for the visit with railings and lighting.
It is not very big, but it is worth going to visit it and, incidentally, meet the character that gives it its name, Bacho Kiro. It is about a religious who from the Dryanovo monastery encouraged the revolution against the Ottoman Empire.
Hiking tours in Dryanovo
The Andaka River is the one that bathes this area of Dryanovo and, since we take a walk to the Bacho Kiro ox, we recommend that you continue the walk a little longer. Thus you will have the opportunity to discover the banks of this river. If you are lovers of hiking, from here you will see indications of routes to nearby towns such as Gesha or Ritlya.
Another option to enjoy the surroundings is to start from the same cloister of the monastery to the south. Over there is the Dryanovska River and a path with blue markings to the Sini Vir waterfalls.
In addition, some stone stairs will make us gain height to enjoy a viewpoint over the fluvial canyons of the two Dryanovo rivers. In addition to this, the environment is contemplated with the soft landscape of the Bulgarian Balkans.
In this way, if you spend a day in this area of Dryanovo you will get to know the most natural Bulgaria in a place that is truly a haven of peace. Highly recommended for all those who like to travel without haste.
How to get to Dryanovo
We hope you want to know this Bulgarian corner. So we are going to tell you how to get here. It is true that from the city of Sofia there are trains and buses to the city of Dryanovo. But then you will have to use a taxi to get to the monastery.
However, Sofia is about three hours away by road. For this reason, we recommend this excursion better to those who bring their own car or a rental car and are staying in Veliko Tarnovo.
