Elhovo
Elhovo is a little pretty town located in Bulgaria.
Understand
Elhovo is a Bulgarian town in Yambol Province, located on the left bank of Tundzha river, between Strandzha and Sakar mountains. The town of Elhovo is a center of civilizations since ancient times in the lands along the river of Tundzha. Staying there you will have the opportunity to explore and observe the whole area and feel the spirit of the local people. Don't miss to see the three reserves located along the river of Tunzha, discover the Thracian heritage, exceptional ethnography, cultural heritage and extraordinary natural landscapes.
- Tourist Information Center Elhovo, 32, Targovska str, ☏ +359 988854784, fax: +359 47881073, info@elhovo.org.
Get in
Elhovo is linked with major roads to the rest of the country and the neighboring Turkey, Greece, and Romania. It is located in border area with beautiful nature, in the Southeast part of Thracian lowlands, in the lower course of Tundzha valley, between Strandza and Sakar mountains. It is 339 km away southeast away from Sofia, at 60 and 37 km south of Sliven and Yambol, at 30 km northeast of Topolovgrad, at 94km and 66km southwest from Bourgas and Sredetz.
Get around
Just because Elhovo is a small town you can easy reach every point with a short walk.
See
Linden along the central pedestrian area of Elhovo, arranged gardens in every house, beautiful buildings of the church, museum, municipality administration, schools, hospitable people - friendly and helpful and do not forget the delicious meals - all this things make guest-passenger to go with excellent impression. Linden along the central pedestrian area of Elhovo, arranged gardens in every house, beautiful buildings of the church, museum, municipality administration, schools, hospitable people - friendly and helpful and do not forget the delicious meals - all this things make guest-passenger to go with excellent impression.
The Ethnographic and Archeological Museum was built in 1958 in the central part of the town. It presents one of the most interesting and original ethnographic expositions in Bulgaria. It the fund of the museum has more that 22 000 exhibits and more than 8,000 original documents and photos.
Since 2003 the Ethnographic Museum is in the list of "100 National Tourist Sights of Bulgaria". You can reach it with a short walk along the pedestrian zone in the town centre. First you will see the building of the church, and next to it, just behind the church belfry is the museum. It has an important role in the spiritual and cultural life of the local people. The staff greets visitors to the museum and take care of every visitor to be familiar with the most valuable exhibits in it. The polite staff greets visitors to the museum and take care of every visitor to be familiar with the most valuable exhibits.
Dolna Topchia reserve extends on an area of 467.47 hectares next to the park zone of the town of Elhovo. You can easily reach it with a short walk from the center of Elhovo to the park area. After crossing a bridge over the river of Tundzha you will find the beginning of the natural trail which is red marked and pass through the most important and scenic spots in the reserve. This reserve is created to preserve the only natural habitat of the Phasianus colchicus in Europe. Today you can't see wild pheasant to the reserve because of the stronger animals that don't leave them alive but there is a pheasant farm where people look after the birds so they still habit the reserve.
The annually tides of the river Tundzha is part of the natural ecosystem of the three reserves located next to each other around the town of Elhovo. Tunzha is the largest tributary of the river of Maritsa, which flows into it on Turkish territory. It springs from the central part of Stara Planina mountain east of Botev peak. Its length to the Turkish border is up to 350 km. Tundzha river offers excellent conditions for practicing sports-recreational tourism activities. The beauty of the area and the river gorge between Derventski Hills and Sakar hills were declared a natural landmark. The river has excellent conditions for sport and hobby fishing. Every year here goes the National kayaks regatta. Near the villages Lesovo and Radovets, the river forms a picturesque gorge - Darkaia, which covers an area of 19 thousand hectares. It was declared as protected area on 06/13/2007. It falls under the law protection because of the rare 149 bird species, 8 amphibians, 21 reptiles and other rare and protected plant and animal species.
Thracian Suns is a group of mystic Thracian rock circles located 4 kilometers sought from the village of Melnitsa. They are more than 200 scattered over 245 meters altitude in the beautiful landscape of Derventski hills. The names of this terrains are “Mochukovi kamani” and “Mircholovi kamani”. The specific circles are ancient cult to the God Sun and that's why local people call them Thracian Suns. Through this rocks pass tourist trail “Drunchi dupka”. It is thematic trail which shows 2 groups of this circles and the beautiful landscape of the region. All this sights take visitors to an ancient and mystic world.
The oldest Thracian tombs (dolmens). Thracian dolmens are one of the most important archeological findings from ancient Thracia in Elhovo area. They are found near the village of Golyam Dervent just next to the border with Republic of Turkey. Dolmens are the oldest Thracian tombs. They have rock structure build from few natural stones. Thracian people used them to bury seniors of the tribal aristocracy. Similar megalithic structures are preserved in Western Europe and the Caucasus. In the Balkan Peninsula they are found only in the Eastern Rhodopes, Sakar and Strandja. The most common dolmens are single chamber, rarely has a two-chamber. Both types can be with or without entry corridor (dromos). The larger of the two dolmens near the village of Golyam Dervent was investigated in 2007. It is consists of two cameras and dromos (entrance) and dated from IX - VIII century BC. People feel indescribable feelings when see dolmen - real historical monument aged at least 3,000 years ago. Questions like Who built them? Why? How has overcome these burden huge stone blocks? What means this strange structure? What is it for? even today excite humanity and make these sites filled with mystery and charm.
Do
You can absolutely enjoy the peaceful and calm way of life. But don't miss to take walk over the reserves and all the region of Elhovo. Visit tourist sights. Taste the cuisine and meet the oldest Bulgarian traditions.
Buy
You can buy many different souvenirs that represent the country and specific for Elhovo.
Eat
Enjoy restaurants with different atmosphere and design and delicious local meals.
Drink
A lot of cafe and bars where you will find different types of refreshable drinks and cocktails.
Sleep
Modern family run hotels, cozy guest houses, huts and rooms.