Pavolche: Hotels and accommodations

Pavolche is located within Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park, in the foothills of the Vratsa Mountains and in rugged terrain. Three waterfalls are recorded in the area around Pavolche. Shopkata is described as the largest of the three waterfalls and is 77 meters high. Rock formations near Shopkata resemble human and animal figures; those mentioned are Sloncheto, Alyosha, Maykata, and Dyado Yancho.

Nature and landscape

The landscape also includes a porous limestone deposit, locally called bigor, and Pukoya. The cave is described as one of the deepest in Bulgaria and is 156 meters deep. A natural beehive is located in a rock niche above Pavolche. Kelerer's centranthus grows below Vezhdata; its occurrence is reported in only two places worldwide: in Pavolche and in Pirin National Park.

Paths and orientation

From the center of Pavolche, a path marked with a red arrow leads to the summit of Okolchitsa in approximately one and a half hours. On the route from Pavolche toward Okolchitsa, after about one kilometer of almost level terrain, you reach the Krushovski Spring. From there, the path on the left leads to the Okolchitsa Monument in about 20 minutes.

History and religious life

A Thracian warrior burial with weapons was found on Kopana Hill. The remains of a large medieval settlement and its necropolis were discovered in the Selishte locality; the Pavolche area also contains a Thracian burial mound necropolis. A monument to those who died in wars stands in the courtyard of the Church of St. Ivan Rilski.

The Church of St. Ivan Rilski was reconsecrated on May 30, 2002, and reopened to Orthodox Christians. It is described as being open to visitors to Pavolche. Pavolche maintains a St. Ilija Kurban tradition associated with protection from hail. A second Kurban in Pavolche is held for the feast of St. Ivan Rilski, for the health of local residents.

Pavolche is also connected with the route of Hristo Botev's detachment. At the place known as Kravavi Kamak, a memorial plaque commemorates three fallen members of the detachment; flowers are laid there during the annual Botev commemorations.

Local information and getting there

A recipe from Pavolche uses dried peppers filled with finely chopped beans and seasoned with savory, parsley, and salt. Pavolche is described as being accessible by car from Vratsa and by bus from Vratsa bus station.

Anyone wishing to book a hotel in Pavolche can continue their accommodation search afterward. Another destination page in the same target area is Sgorigrad.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vratza.