The region of Vratza is situated at the foot of the Vratza mountain. The town of Vratza itself is the starting point for the gorge Vratzata and the cave Ledenika, that is why it is renowned as a tourist centre, the biggest town and an important industrial capital of the North-western Bulgaria. The ethnographic museum of the National Revival “St. Sofroniy Vrachanski” is a historic and cultural monument, frequented by the tourists. The two churches - “St. Nicholas” and “The Holy Ascension”, very impressive with their unique architecture, still fascinate not only the visitors, but the local residents as well. The nature park “Vrazhanski Balkan” is located near the town and offers splendid conditions for tourism – here every lover of extreme sports will find something for himself. The cave explorers will be overwhelmed by the most rich cave zone in the country. The rock massif Vratzata represents an impressive, vertical rock, more than 400 metres high, and preferred place for mountaineering. For those, fond of parachutism, can make a jump from the chalet “Okolchitza”. The picturesque villages Pavolche and Zgorigrad are in immediate proximity to the town of Vratza and captivate everyone with the beauty of nature, the unbelievable hospitality of the local residents, and, last but not least, the traditional meals, served with home-made wine. Here the perfect conditions for leisure and tourism can be found. The complex “Ledenika” and the surrounding villages are located some 16 km to the southeast from the town of Vratza. They all occupy the area near the cave “Ledenika”. Here more than 20 holiday houses are situated. The rural estates, available for sale in this area, represent a desired and extremely agreeable investment. The town of Belogradchik is situated on the two mountain massifs Venetza and Vedernik, while surrounded by the fantastic Belogradchishki Skali (the Belogradchik Rocks). The settlement is very old, and has been known for many centuries. In 1837 the fortress was finished and has retained its looks from then. The town of Belogradchik is gradually becoming a big tourist centre, attracting a lot of tourists from the country and abroad mainly with the Belogradchik Rocks, one of the most beautiful natural phenomena of Bulgaria. The town itself offers many places of interest from different eras. The History Museum is situated in the Panovi House, of traditional Bulgarian Revival architecture, built in 1810. The Astronomical observatory, where one of the largest telescopes of Bulgaria is situated, you can spend some unforgettable moments. The mosque “H. Hussein” is dated back to 1751 and is the only survivor of the old settlement. A must-see for everyone is the church “St. George The Victor”, built in 1868, which represents a marvelous historical monument. The Belogradchik Rocks – one of the numerous natural wonders of Bulgaria. On the road from Sofia you will see the first group of rocks, named Falkov – Borovetz. The second group of rocks by the name of “Lipenitza”is located to the east of the town, the most attractive rocks here are the “Dinozavarskoto” (the Dinosaur\'s)and the “Latinskoto” (the Latin) citadel (the latter being a strategic stronghold surrounded by a fortified wall). One should also visit the Lepnishkata cave. The most interesting and significant cultural monument from the viewpoint of history in the town of Belogradchik is the “Kaleto” fortress. The Rabish cave, or also known as the “Magurata” cave, was discovered near the village of Rabisha, some 34 km to the northwest of the town of Belogradchik. It was formed before 3 – 4 million years. The town of Berkovitza is situated at the northern parts of the foot of the Berkovski Balkan. The town is an ancient dwelling place. The proof are the remnants of fortress walls and churches from the IV century A.D., at the hill of “Kaleto” (in old Bulgarian “the fortress”), which is situated to the north of the town. The house museum “Ivan Vazov”, located in the centre of the town, is in fact a precious architectural monument with fascinating exterior and interior design, highlighted by the wood-carved ceilings and the authentic fireplace. A permanent ethnographic exhibition can be seen in the Architectural Museum of Culture. The clock tower is a remarkable monument, due to its solid structure and beautiful upper part, where the clockwork is still fully functional. It was built in 1762, and is one of the oldest towers in the country. The hill of “Kaleto” is located to the northwest of the town of Berkovitza. It is also a natural forest park. Here also the remnants of the ancient Bulgarian fortress are to be seen. The resort of Varshetz (some 18 km to the south-east from the town) is a balneological medical centre of national importance and at the same time is the largest of its kind in the north-west of Bulgaria. It is nestled in a small glen, surrounded to the north to the north by the mountain ridge of the Stara Planina mountain and to the east from the Vrachanski Balkan. \\ The monastery of Klissura was founded in 1240. It has a striking appearance with its walls, which are not painted. The village of Burziya is situated 6 km to the south of the town. It is a medical and balneological resort of local importance. Another town in the region is Chiprovtzi. The tourists are flocking all the year round this little paradise with incredible scenery, rich history (here one of the most important uprising in the Bulgarian history began, namely the Chiprovtzi uprising) and of course the world-famous Chiprovtzi carpets. There is a co-operation firm, which still produces them. Chiprovtzi is in fact a small town at the foot of the Stara Planina mountain, situated some 30 km away from the town of Montana. The Ogosta river flaws through it, springing from the high parts of the mountain. The Chiprovtzi waterfall, which is not large at all, is situated in a picturesque surroundings and is in itself a marvel of nature. In this charming little town of unique beauty the purchase of an estate is a wanted and lucrative investment. The famous Chiprovtzi carpets are handwoven from genuine wool on a vertical loom. Nowadays these carpets are sold worldwide and thousands of Bulgarian homes are enjoying with the vivid colours of the Chiprovtzi carpets. The Chiprovtzi monastery of “St. John of Rila” is located 6 km to the north-east of the town. The monastery is a century-old stronghold of Bulgarian education, that is why it was burned down 6 times during the Ottoman yoke. The Lopushan monastery “St. John the Precursor” is situated 20 km to the north-east of the town of Chiprovtzi. It is attracting many visitors, willing to feel the authentic Bulgarian culture. The town of Mezdra stands in tiers on the left bank of the Iskar river, where the river leaves the Iskar gorge. The “Kaleto” fortress is located in the immediate proximity to the town. Its remnants are the best preserved in the whole region and attract the attention of tourists and archaeologists alike. Another place of interest is the art gallery, boasting exceptionally rich collection of masterpieces. Near the town of Mezdra one can visit the Iskar gorge, the “Hristo Botev” national park, the Strupesh monastery “St. Elias the Prophet ”, as well as the tiny villages around it, enchanting everybody with their genuine beauty from times long gone by.
