Information about the town of Teteven

Teteven municipality is located in Lovech region, north-west Bulgaria. The municipality borders the 10 municipalities of Lovech , Sofia and Plovdiv. These are the municipalities Yablanitsa, Lukovit, Ugarchin,Troyan, Karlovo, Anton, Pirdop, Zlatitsa, Etropole and Pravets. Although it shares borders with the Municipality Karlovo, Anton Zlatitsa and Pirdop practical with these municipalities there are no direct transport links and there is no direct exchange of travelers and goods. Traditional and well-developed connections are shared with municipalities Pravets, Yablanitsa, Ugarchin and Troyan. In these municipalities liaise with the regional center of Lovech, the capital and major Republican roads as highway "Hemus" highway E772. The territory of the municipality is 696,975 acres or about 697 sq km, which represents 16.86% of the territory of Lovech district (4132 sq km).

In territory it is in third place in the field after Lovech Municipality - 946 km and Troyan Municipality - 892 km. It is larger in area than the average for the area of ​​aBulgarian Municipality - 424 km. Population wise the municipality of Teteven is less than the average Bulgarian municipality. As a result of migration and negative growth population of the municipality is the least number in 15 years - 23,237. It is relatively sparsely populated. According to NSI data for the period since 2000 the country there is a decrease of the population. This trend is valid for both Lovech region as a whole, all its municipalities and in particular Teteven municipality. Relatively equal percentage reduction in the municipality of Lovech region ranging between 8.5% and 9.4%. For Teteven this percentage is 9.5.

The Teteven Municipality includes 13 settlements. Administrative center is the city Teteven. The other settlements are villages Babintsi,Balgarski Izvor, Vasilyovo, Galata Glogovo, Glojene, Golyam Izvor, Gradejnitsa, Divchovo, Malka Zhelyazna , Ribaritsa and Cherni Vit. Territorial the population of Teteven municipality is unevenly distributed. Around 89% of them are living in the northern half of the municipality, where are concentrated the larger villages and town of Teteven. The municipality has a low degree of urbanization.

The town of Teteven is the administrative center of the Municipality. It is located 70 km southwest from the town of Lovech and 220 km southwest of Vidin and 120 kilometers  from the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia. Total area : 697 km, which represents 16.86% of the territory of Lovech region and puts it in third place in the field after Lovech municipality with 946 sq km and Troyan municipality with 892 sqkm. The municipality is the third in population in this region after Lovech and Troyan. The population density is 35.6 persons per square km, twice lower than the average density for the country - 70.28 persons per sqkm. The population of the municipality is about 25,000 people and the town Teteven - about 12 000 people.

One visit of Teteven is enough to love the place and come back. Beautiful and mysterious at each meeting it will reveal to you a new beauty and will remind of past days, promises unexpected experiences.

Located at the foot of the mountain, away from the main roads Teteven is difficult to determine the time of its settlement.

Accidentally discovered monuments testify that this region has been inhabited since ancient times. Primeval forest, full rivers have provided food and caves, which are abundant in the region, served as home to the most ancient inhabitants. Proof of this are the findings in caves Morovitsa, Bayovitsa, Draganchovitsa.

For the life of Thracians silent witnesses are the numerous burial mounds along the branches of Vasilyovska mountain and Teteven mountain and along the Vit River and its tributaries. But who can say how it has been? One can certainly be confirmed- that the Thracians, highlanders had the same with the other Thracians social system, customs, funeral customs and beliefs.

Numismatic findings suggest that there was a Roman settlement. Bronze and silver coins of the Roman emperors Trajan and Commodus, emperors of II - IV century are not the only witnesses of Roman domination. In the high mountains can be found traces of Roman roads and watch-towers, over the rivers remained Roman bridges.

The Romans were gone. In their place came Slavs. Names of castles, hamlets and localities attest to the contribution of Teteven in the life of the Bulgarian state.

Black Avalanche - fanatical and ferocious covers the Bulgarian lands. Beginning of the slavery. The small mountain village Tetiuvene did not give in. Four Sultan's renew the conditions and the privileges of the local people.

16th and 17th centuries were a period of prosperity and flourishing of the Municipality. The city has grown, but the houses were so close together that on the roofs could be passed from one to the other side of town. Developed over 27 crafts. Local traders traveled to Asia on the East and the West to Vienna. In the city there were 60 lords. It was called "Alton Teteven" - Golden Teteven.

The works of the Teteven masters are on the markets in Uzundzhovo, Ottoman Empire, Istanbul and Thessaloniki, and to the west - Austria and Germany. Commercial notebooks testify again to the scale of production and trade. Thousands are the followers of the Monastery "Zograph", Rila Monastery. Three convents start their missionary work. Then, when put in the watershed and development of the town - burning by the Kurdzhalii in 1801. Because after taking over Kalofer, Koprivshtitza, Arbanasy, comes Teteven`s turn. And it was not openly done because open raids failed and fraudulent manage to enter the Republic and to fulfill their hellish work in "March of the year of our 1,801th".

And It has to take several decades to be able to partially restore the name and capabilities, like a phoenix to arise from the ashes to bring in many other places within and outside the Ottoman Empire flesh from Teteven- Kula, Veliki Izvor , Zaichar, Kraiova, Slatina, Bucharest, Oriahovo, Byala Slatina, Rousse, Pleven.

But the poor would be the illustration of what, if the individuals who created it all are not mentioned. And if the authors often remain anonymous, others leave their names with what they did because it has value and is timeless. There are few examples that can be identified as author of the samples by the carving and icon painting school. Ribaritsa is located in Teteven Mountain, 600 meters above sea level at the foot of Mount Vejen (2198 m). The village is located 12 km from Teteven and 124 km northeast of Sofia. In 1963 Ribaritza is declared mountain resort. Beautiful scenery, clean air and simultaneously close to larger settlements caused the village to become a favorite vacation spot in the early twentieth century. Ribaritza is a starting point for several hiking trails. From the center of the village begins route Kostina. There is also the place of death of revolutionary Georgi Benkovski (1843 - 1876). As an expression of gratitude in 1908 at the historic site they built a monument of him.

Another route leads to Tsarichina reserve. Eco-trail starts from the area ​​Neftohima and there is about 6 km, and the transition lasts 5:00 hours. The route runs along the borders of the reserve, then continues to the left and then climb of about 45 minutes you can reach the area Sloncheto. The eco-trail continues to the rocky area “Merudievi zabi” where there is a place for recreation. After a new transition from an hour you`ll reach the highest point of the route - Mount Golyama Shalya with panoramic views towards Tsarichina and the ridge of Stara Planina. The route is suitable for spring, summer and autumn period, but is not recommended during the winter months.

In Ribaritza can be rented bikes and mountain bicycles, ATV's, professional guides for hiking, mountain is suitable for picnics, there are opportunities for amusement and fishing.

In Ribaritza there is a variety of accommodation. The village has numerous hotels, villas, family hotels, holiday homes and others. Dining options are also quite many and offer local and traditional Bulgarian cuisine. More information about tourism opportunities in the area Ribaritza and tourists can get in Municipal Bureau of Tourism in the Municipality.

Accidentally discovered monuments testify that this region has been inhabited since ancient times. Witness is the finds in the caves Morovitsa, Bayovitsa, Draganchovitsa. The Thracian mounds are numerous. Numismatic findings show that there was a Roman settlement. One can find traces of Roman roads and bridges and watch-towers.

Teteven has also many other tourist settlements and places to visit. Although it shares borders with the Municipality Karlovo, Anton, Zlatitsa and Pirdop practical with these municipalities there are no direct transport links and there is no direct exchange of travelers and goods. Traditional and well-developed connections are shared with municipalities Pravets, Ugarchin, Yablanitsa and Trojan. In these municipalities liaise with the regional center of Lovech, the capital and major Republican roads as highway "Hemus" highway and E772 .

Teteven town is connected by bus transport with larger cities in Bulgaria, as well as surrounding villages. There are buses from Sofia, Galata, Ribaritza, village of Babintsi Glogovo village, Lovech and Vratsa. It is located 74 km from Lovech, 60 km from Troyan, 120 km from Sofia and 55 km from Botevgrad on the east.

4 km far from Ribaritza is Kostina - place of death of George Benkovski and his monument.

Much of Teteven area was included in the territory of the National Park "Central Balkan". Here are the reserves of Tsarichina and Boatin. In the area are accessible chalets Benkovski, Echo, Vejen villa Kordela. A paradise for ornithologists is the protected area "Chernia rat", where you can observe a variety of birds.

Historical Glojenski monastery is situated above the village of Glojene (15km from Teteven). It was founded in the 13th century by the Kiev prince Glozh after his escape from South Russia. It was built on a cliff. 25 km northwest of the town is situated Saeva dupka. The cave has a good road, but there is no regular transport. In the land of the town there are many other natural attractions - caves "Lyastovitsata ", "Morovitsa", waterfalls "Praskaloto" and "Skok”.

Teteven is a marvelous place to visit and you`ll sure not be sorry if you choose this area to invest in, buy property or come for leisure.