About Apriltsy

   The Municipality of Apriltsi (200 km north-east of Sofia, 500-600 m above sea- level, above 5 000 people) is situated in a lovely valley commanding an enchanting view.
The valley is bounded by the Severen Dzhendem Reserve and the highest waterfall in Bulgaria - Pruskaloto (The Sprayer), the peaks Triglav, Botev (the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains, 2376 m) and Maragidik, famous for its unique form and beauty. At the foot of these mountain peaks the landscape changes from dense forest slopes into picturesque hills and lush meadows, cut by the twisting flow of the rivers Ostreshka, Vidimska and Zla reka. The natural environment ensures a favourable climate to the area – cool summer nights, mild and sunny winters, pure mountain air.
The settlements in the municipality are - the town of Apriltsy and the villages Velchevo, Scandalo and Drashkova polyana.

   The first people to settle in Apriltsi came from the Turnovo region. They were descendants of rebellious boyar (noble) families, or refugees from the invasion of the Ottoman Turks. Judging from the remains of a Thracian stronghold at the entrance of the Russaliyski Pass, these lands were inhabited many centuries earlier.
   A monastery school was established in this place in 1812, and the first modern secular school opened in 1850.
   In 1976, a century after the April uprising, as an act of gratitude to their predecessors, our contemporaries founded the town of Apriltsi by uniting 4 neighbouring villages - Novo selo, Ostrets, Vidima and Zla reka.

Novo selo	Vidima
Zla reka	Ostrets

   Apriltsi has recently developed into an attractive mountain resort with its renovated recreation facilities, new private hotels and restaurants, modern night clubs and cafes, swimming pools.
   Apriltsi offers its visitors opportunities for fishing, mountaineering, horse-riding, cycling, tennis, skiing, numerous hiking routes, a luxurious hunting centre, fascinating picnic sites and bathing by the river banks.

   “Whenever I have been asked about my birthplace, I have always answered in the following way: It is the place where the sky is the bluest, the water is the clearest, and the air is the purest of all. This is where my native land of Troyan is. A lot could be added to this description – it is the place where some of the brightest and wittiest people live. People, whom God has given eyes to see far ahead, skilful hands to work with, and a heart open to all novelties. Whoever has not enjoyed the view from the village quarters of Mihovtsi, Cherni Vruh and Marishnitsa towards the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, cannot boast to have seen much of the world. If a person has not met the early morning sun, shining across the unmown meadows, or on the paths leading up to Mara Gidik or Mount Botev, he cannot claim to have experienced one of the greatest delights – to be alive and to revel at one’s existence. But what my fellow countrymen have always been denied is that the politicians never had the eyes to see the richness of our land, or wealthy people did not have the initiative to build hotels and railways reaching up to God, so that they could encounter Him more easily when they decide to attain pleasure for their soul. This is the way of God – he gives us one thing but denies us other things. Whoever has the eyes and soul for it, a loving heart and a heart to love, will come to visit this place. And when he comes, he will never wish to leave this land that God has destined for his closest followers.”

Professor Marko Atanasov Semov ,
Doctor of philology,
Winner of the "Yordan Yovkov" literature award for the year 2000.

Apriltsi as seen by foreigners

   A few years ago, the world-renowned active promoter of church unity Professor Jean-Jaques von Almaign came to Bulgaria to participate in an international conference. Both he and his wife expressed their wish to visit the Troyan region.
   They had heard a lot from me about my native land, about the heroism of the Novo selo rebels in the April uprising. Not trying to hide their emotion, they bowed before the monument of the heroes of Zla reka, stood in awe in the temple of the Female Monastery of Novo selo, bent down their heads in prayer at the charnel-house of those who had lost their lives for their native country.
   Their feelings were most deeply expressed when they stood on the Ostreshki bridge and gazed through their binoculars at the wonderful panorama sight that confronted them. There was the saddle-backed peak of Ostrets to the east, the vast range of the Middle Balkan Mountains to the south with the highest peak Botev, the neat outline of Mount Cherni Vruh to the north ... “How delightful! A gift from God! – exclaimed Mr. von Almaign. - It is a worthy rival to our Switzerland!”

Professor doctor Todor Sabev,
former Deputy General Secretary
of the World Church Council