Day trip to Velingrad spa resort, Tsepina Fortress and Park Pliocene from Plovdiv

Highlights

• Tsepina Fortress
• Park Pliocene paleontological museum
• Spa resort Velingrad

All about the trip

Situated only a few kilometers northwest of the village Dorkovo, Tsepina Fortress is one of the most visited historical sites in this part of the Rhodope Mountains. It was built between the 11th and 13th century and has a long history. The archeological research found the remains of a Thracian settlement, the foundations of several churches, reservoirs, basilica, houses and a necropolis. The fortress is built on a peak at 1136 m above the sea level and surrounded by precipices from 3 sides, being accessible only from the south. We will drive for about 10 km from the village Dorkovo to the Tsepina hut, which has a museum with artifacts from the fort. From there we will walk up for about 10 minutes on a dirt road to reach the castle walls.

Close to the fortress is the Park Pliocene paleontological museum wherein 1985-1987 a Bulgarian-French expedition has discovered about 600 bones of different sizes of more than 30 animal species. Nowhere in Europe has been discovered so far such a cluster of dinosaur bones. Almost all of the original fossils were taken to the Nature Museum in Paris but in the small museum near Dorkovo village, one can still see a few original mastodon tusks and teeth. The exhibition hall is a scale model of the area around Dorkovo village from the late Pliocene. The exhibition includes sculptural restorations of ancient animals representing the nature of Bulgaria and the Balkans from 5 million years ago. It showcases also unique fossils and reconstruction of scientific excavations. The collaboration of scientists, elite artists, and restorers enables the museum’s visitors to “walk” near a model mastodon surrounded by Pliocene forest with braying sounds of donkeys.

At the end of the trip, we go back to civilization and visit the spa capital on the Balkans. The internationally renowned spa resort Velingrad where we can find the largest karst spring in Bulgaria – Kleptuza. Today Velingrad is popular for spa recreation, health prevention and treatment of many diseases. The specific climatic factors and natural resources define it as a resort with opportunities for climate therapy and prevention of various diseases of the upper respiratory tract, infertility, inflammation, allergies, asthma, diseases of the nervous system, neuroses, and other. Velingrad is one of the best towns in Bulgaria for recovery after a prolonged illness and prevention of allergic diseases. The largest karst spring on the Balkan Peninsula, Kleptuza, is located in Velingrad on the right bank of Chepinska River by the mountain slope of a residential quarter. In one of the two lakes formed by the spring, one can rent a boat or just enjoy the wonderful combination of calm waters and green trees.

What is included in the price

• English speaking tour guide
• Transfers from and to your hotel in Plovdiv

What is not included in the price

• Park Pliocene paleontological museum entrance fee (1,50 €)
• Lunch
• Insurance

Instructions

Please show up at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time.