Elhovo: Discover Nature and Culture

In Elhovo, nature and local history sit alongside traditional customs. The protected landscapes differ in their habitats and conservation features; the museum and archaeological sites offer further insights into the region. You can tailor your stay to the natural or cultural interests that appeal to you most.

Protected Areas and Habitats

The municipality of Elhovo has two nature reserves, one natural monument and seven protected landscape areas. The 76.98-hectare Balabana Nature Reserve lies in the town of Elhovo. It includes habitats for various heron species as well as flat riparian forests. Dolna Topchia has a different focus: the 467.47-hectare nature reserve lies in the village of Trankowo and is known as a habitat for the Colchic pheasant, as well as for its riparian forest.

Dranchi Dupka and Tundzha River Gorge also offer clearly distinct natural features. The 5-hectare Dranchi Dupka Natural Monument lies in the village of Melnitsa and protects a cave. The Tundzha River Gorge protected area lies in the village of Lesovo. Across its 1,891.21 hectares, it protects habitats for 149 bird species, 8 amphibian species and 21 reptile species. While Dranchi Dupka protects a cave, Tundzha River Gorge protects habitats for birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Other areas extend across several localities. The Tundzha River 2 habitat protected area partly covers the town of Elhovo and the villages of Boyanovo, Granitovo, Izgrev, Kirilovo and Trankowo; its total area is 5,948.72 hectares. In the municipality of Elhovo, the Dervent Heights bird protection area includes the villages of Valcha Polyana, Golyam Dervent, Lalkovo, Lesovo, Malko Kirilovo, Melnitsa, Razdel, Slaveykovo and Chernozem. Its habitats include those of various heron species as well as flat riparian forests. The Sakar habitat protected area in the municipality of Elhovo protects native plant and animal species, including the Colchic pheasant.

Museum, Customs and Archaeological Sites

In the center of Elhovo, the Ethnographic-Archaeological Museum is housed in two two-story buildings. They were built in 1933 and connected in the 1960s. The first exhibition hall presents the livelihoods and crafts of the local population from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These include farming, viticulture, tobacco growing, livestock breeding, hunting and fishing, as well as coppersmithing and tailoring.

The fourth exhibition hall offers a different perspective, focusing on festivals and customs. Its themes include weddings, Lazaruvane and Koledari customs. The Ethnographic Museum in Elhovo is one of Bulgaria’s 100 national tourist sites. The exhibits thus bring together everyday work and crafts with the customs that shaped social life.

The archaeological sites provide a contrast in time. In the area of the village of Stroyno is the Manastircheto–St. Iliya architectural complex, with a temple tholos from the Roman period. The village of Melnitsa is home to the late antique and medieval Gradishte Fortress. The two sites represent different historical periods: a Roman temple tholos near Stroyno and a fortress dating to the late antique and medieval periods near Melnitsa.

A Festival Held Year After Year

Culinary tradition is also part of Elhovo’s character. The “Banitsa vita – Twice Folded” banitsa festival in Elhovo was held for the thirteenth consecutive year. If you want to plan your stay around the festival, it is a good idea to check the event dates separately.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lalkovo, Granitovo, Izgrev, Elhovo, Kirilovo, Straldzha Municipality, Tundja.

Back to the regional travel overview: Yambol Province.