Sliven: Nature, Culture and Hotels in the Sign of the Blue Stones

North of Sliven lies the Blue Stones Nature Park in the Balkan mountain range. An open-air cable car connects Sliven with Karandila and offers a ride with views of the landscape.

Nature

The Blue Stones natural area is home to 176 bird species, including 149 protected species. The Kutelka Reserve protects mesic beech stands as well as rocky habitats used by birds of prey. Halka, a rock phenomenon near Sliven, is also located in the nature park.

Hiking trails connected with Sliven lead via Karandila, Pesenik, Haidushki Izvor, Buchvata, Enyova Bulka, Ravna Reka, Dolapite and Futula to the Halkata rock formation. The nature park also has signposted routes for hiking, alternative tourism and birdwatching.

Culture

Sliven’s urban heritage is connected with the Blue Stones, the Old Elm, the monument to Hadzhi Dimitar, the town clock, Dobri Zhelyazkov’s factory and Chintulov’s songs. These elements link the city’s history with its contemporary urban life.

The House Museum of Popular Customs in Sliven presents customs, rituals and traditions typical of Sliven and the surrounding region. The Dobri Chintulov House Museum displays photographs, documents, the poet’s personal belongings and a recreated period atmosphere.

The exhibition "Traditional Culture of the Sliven Region" focuses on ritual foods, ritual objects and oral incantations. Another historic cultural site is the main building of the First State Textile Factory in the Balkans, completed in 1843; the factory grounds can be reached by bicycle, and bicycle racks are located next to the entrance.

History

The Tuida archaeological site is associated with a Roman-era marketplace and a sanctuary where Zeus and Apollo were worshipped. A fourth-century basilica with a central nave and two aisles was built within Tuida Fortress.

Tuida Fortress is also associated with engaging historical activities: visitors can try archery, put on medieval clothing and experience re-enactments of traditions and customs. The programme of events includes concerts, festivals, exhibitions, literary readings, performances, workshops and seminars.

Experiences

The Blue Stones offer opportunities for skiing, hang gliding, orienteering competitions and mountaineering. Together with the signposted routes for hiking, alternative tourism and birdwatching, they form a landscape area in which different activities are explicitly designated.

The connection between Sliven and Karandila is also one of the destination’s special attractions: the open-air cable car provides this connection and offers a ride with views of the landscape. The hiking trails in the surrounding area lead, among other places, via Karandila, Pesenik, Haidushki Izvor, Buchvata, Enyova Bulka, Ravna Reka, Dolapite and Futula, and to the Halkata rock formation.

Other destinations

Other linked destinations: Ichera, Tvarditsa, Nova Zagora, Kotel.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sliven Province.