City
Elena

Elena is located 38 km south of Veliko Tarnovo, near Iovkovtzi Dam. The area around Elena is known as Elena Balkan. Elena is called "Bulgarian Bethlehem," because during the Renaissance has had three churches. That it would in any other Bulgarian city at that time. It's amazing that only in this region are 147 buildings declared as monuments, 7 of them are of national importance. At any point in the city is located, can not help but hear and see not a symbol of the town clock tower. Church of St. Nicholas is the oldest in town. The murals have great value and are declared monuments of national importance. In contrast, the Church of the "Assumption of Mary " has a beautiful architectural design of the facades and beautiful exterior architecture. The internal rules of the temple has almost 2 ceturies history. Popnikolov house is one of the most characteristic in the city of Elena. It was built in the first half of the nineteenth century. Today it houses a paleontological museum. Very interesting house, now a museum is of Ilarion Makariopolski. If you do not know what are five houses under one roof, in Elena will see outstanding architectural ensemble. And do not miss the ultimate symbol of Elena Daskalovnitsata, which regulates two museum exhibitions. It was built in 1844, for the first class school. His graduate is Petko Rachov Slaveikov that gives it an eloquent name later.

A typical local delicacy is the ham Elena representing saline and dried ham, cooking only in the town of Elena, due to particular climatic features of the Balkan Mountains. For the fans of mountain and hiking in the region there are numerous tourist routes and eco trails that reveal the beauty of the wondrous nature of Stara Planina. Near the village Miykovtsi and Mount Chumerna has ski slopes and ski facilities, which create great opportunities for winter sports. The fans of fishing will be able to enjoy a good catch in the waters of the lake Yovkovtsi.