DRYANOVO

Dryanovo is located in the northern side of Fore-Balkan Mountains, at the valley of Dryanovska River. The town is a centre of a municipality, comprising 62 villages, hamlets and huts picturesquely spread out in the mountain folds. The municipality consists of 13000 residents- 9400 of them live in Dryanovo. Dryanovo has a favourable geographic position. It is situated 20 km away from Gabrovo, 24 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 17 km from Tryavna and about 30 km away from Sevlievo and Gorna Oriahovitsa. The town lies on Russe-Veliko Tarnovo-Gabrovo-Shipka- Kazanlak-Stara Zagora highway and it is a station of the main railway thoroughfare, linking North and South Bulgaria. The climate is moderate continental. The winter is snowy, but not so cold. The summer is cool. The town is 300 m above sea level. The most ancient traces of life on Balkan Peninsula were discovered in Dryanovo region - proofs for human presence from Paleolithic epoch were discovered in Bacho Kiro cave near Dryanovo Monastery. Numerous relics of ancient villages, fortresses, pillars with inscriptions and ornaments from Thracian and Roman times were found.by Boruna and Diskoduratera fortresses. The origin of Second Bulgarian Kingdom is inextricably bound up with Dryanovo region. The relics of that time "Gradat" and "Strinava" medieval fortresses (12-14 C.)Dryanovo was found about 1470,but a settlement existed nearthe currenttown as early as 11 -12 century. During the Ottoman Slavery the settlement had a privileged statute- the population was exempted from certain number of taxes in return for the duty to guard the passages. The cardinal means of living was craftsmanship, stock breeding and fruit growing. People from Dryanovo took part in Liberation Struggles-the majestic defence of Dryanovo Monastery was oneof the glorious pages fromApril uprising.

TOURIST LANDMARKS
Dryanovo Ecotrailwas built according to the Bulgarian Association for Rural and Ecotourism programme "Bulgarian ecotrails". The Path is
situated near Dryanovo Monastery (4 km away from Dryanovo). The altitude varies between 270 and 510 meters. Dryanovo Ecotrail combines the high rate of tourist attraction with natural virtues. The Path helps the conservation of natural wealth using it as an alternative formoftourism.
The circular route enables tourists to penetrate into the unknown and inaccessible natural recesses by wooden bridges and some slight corrections of terrain.The visual information is various and it covers flora, fauna and cultural and historical landmarks. The variety of flora as a whole exceeds 200 kinds.among them a lot of rare and precious plants in danger to disappear. Some plants are included in the Bulgarian Red Book and also in the European list of rare species. Dryanovo Monastery is 3,5-h drive from Sofia, 4 hfrom Varna,3hfrom Plovdiv and 2,5 h away from Russe.sothe tourists could visitthe region for just one day. The continuation of the route of Dryanovo ecotrail is about 4 hours. There are additional attractions-barbecue and a cauldronfor brandy distillation

MUSEUMS
Kolio Ficheto Museum - exhibition of Dryanovo Historical Museum. Lafchiev House - architectural monument of national consequence with an exhibition "Urban customs and culture at the end of 19C and the beginning of20C" Ikonomov House - architectural monument of national consequence built by Kolio Ficheto the Master. Icons from Dryanovo region Display; Contemporary Art Show-room Dryanovska River Bridge (mid 19 C) built by Kolio Fichetothe Master. Architectural ensembles from the time Bulgarian Revival-central partofthetown. St. Nikola Church - architectural monument built by Kolio Ficheto the Master Sveta Troitsa (The Holly Trinity) Church architectural monument (middle 19C) Sveta Bogoroditsa (Holly Mother) Church-19 C, style influenced by European secession Dranovo Monastery - architectural & cultural monument of national consequence from 12 C., destroyed by fire after dramatic April uprising in 1976. Restored after the Liberation. Near the entrance of monastery complex - exhibition "Dryanovo monastery - centre of Bulgarian spirit". Bacho Kiro Cave - national tourist objective, situated in the West of Dryanovo Monastery in the valley of Anduka River. Traces of human life dating from Paleolithic times discovered in it. The cave formations are remarkable stalactites, stalagmites, stalactons and cave lakes. The cave is 3 km long. The 0,5 m. long tourist guided route is electrified. Strinava (Gradut) Fortress - ancient Bulgarian fortress, 3 km away from Dryanovo.Diskoduratera Fortress - ancient Roman market place, an important centre at the border between Roman provinces Mizia and Trakia.