In Razlog, the city’s history meets its vibrant Kukeri traditions, alongside places for walks and scenic views. If you’d like to combine culture and landscape, there are several ways to do so: from the Historical Museum – Razlog and the Starchevata New Year’s festival to Golak Hill above the city.
Museums and Architectural Heritage in Razlog
The Historical Museum – Razlog preserves more than 5,000 exhibits and features exhibitions on archaeology, ethnography and the city’s history over the last century. Its movable cultural heritage also reflects the past of the settlements in Razlog Municipality. The museum is housed in a Bulgarian National Revival house in the Razlog-Chepino style, dating from the late 19th century. The building was reconstructed according to its original plan in 1905; it is located near the city centre.
Patokova House is home to the Museum of Razlog Chaush, which is part of the Historical Museum – Razlog. Here, you can learn more about local Kuker and Survakari traditions, as well as folklore, ways of life and customs associated with Babinden, Easter and St George’s Day. The museum displays thus provide a cultural context for the mask and festival traditions that also play a role in Starchevata.
Starchevata and Kukeri Traditions
Starchevata takes place every year on 1 January in Razlog and opens the New Year Kukeri festival. Bells, drums and zurnas mark the beginning. Groups from the city’s seven neighbourhoods perform as Chaushi, Kukeri, young men and women in costume, Survakari, bear handlers and comic characters; musicians playing zurnas and drums also take part. If you’d like to experience the festival, check the programme for the relevant date before your trip.
Razlog also holds an international Kukeri carnival every two years, with mask and Kukeri groups from around the world. For planning purposes, this takes place on a different schedule from the annual Starchevata: check in advance when the next carnival will be held.
Walks and Views at Golak
Golak Hill above Razlog is visited by locals and visitors for walks, relaxation and views across the Razlog Valley. The Steps Eco Trail on Golak has 54 rest areas and 30 viewpoints. The ridge also features a 12-metre observation tower, benches, swings and wooden loungers. You can choose between a walk, viewpoints and places to stop and relax; the condition of individual facilities may change.
Other Places in the City Centre
The “St. Annunciation Church” stands in the heart of Razlog. Its bell tower is 26 metres high; the church interior was completely painted with frescoes between 2000 and 2008. For a visit focused on the building’s design and interior, both the distinctive tower and the more recent interior paintings are part of the building’s documented history.
The “Ancient Solar Calendar” in the central park consists of twelve marble moraines carved with animal figures and arranged in a circle. Razlog’s Water Alley is also in the city centre. These named places add two more aspects of the city to its museum and festival themes: a stone calendar installation and a central water alley.
Discover more destinations: Dolno Draglishte, Bachevo, Banya, Eleshnitsa.
Return to the main travel overview: Razlog.
