Just 300 metres from Dryanovo Monastery, Bacho Kiro Cave opens into a 25-metre-high limestone wall. It was Bulgaria’s first cave opened to visitors: tourists from Dryanovo made it accessible in 1937. Today, the cave system comprises a labyrinth around 3,600 metres long; the section open to visitors measures 700 metres. Its scale tells the story of a place where the natural landscape and the history of visitors are closely intertwined.
Cave and Karst Landscape
Bacho Kiro Cave is a protected natural monument. A marked path leads from the monastery to the cave; visitors arriving by car should leave their vehicle at the monastery and continue on foot. Check accessibility shortly before your visit.
Karst also shapes the landscape beyond the cave throughout Dryanovo Municipality, with caves, sinkholes, dolines and karren. The Dryanovska and Andaka rivers cut gorges through the Strazha Plateau. The Via Ferrata area is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including around twelve bat species, as well as mouflons, foxes, deer and fire salamanders. This describes the area’s habitats and does not guarantee sightings of individual animals.
Monastery, Houses and Exhibitions
The Monastery of St. Archangel Michael is one of Bulgaria’s 100 national tourist sites. It was founded during the reign of Tsar Kaloyan, traditionally dated to 1197–1207. The Archaeology and National Revival Exhibition introduces visitors to the history of the monastery and surrounding area, with topics ranging from prehistoric settlements and Copper and Bronze Age cultures to fortifications and settlements from various periods. The exhibition is five kilometres southwest of Dryanovo.
In town, the architecture of the 19th century takes centre stage. The Lafchieva House was built around 1840 and is a national cultural monument. It is one of the few surviving monumental wooden buildings of its type in Bulgaria with three storeys. The exhibition there shows urban life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; in 2008, it was expanded to include a second residential house that had previously belonged to the Perevi family. Another exhibition presents around 100 types of minerals. Its collection comprises 270 specimens from around 80 localities and was donated to Dryanovo by local resident Ventsislav Panev.
The house of priest Vasil Ikonomov was built in 1859 by master builder Kolyu Ficheto and is a monument of national significance. The exhibition on church art from the National Revival period displays more than 100 medieval icons and icons from that era, household iconostases, regional wood carvings, restored fragments of wall paintings and contemporary art. A dedicated Kolyu Ficheto exhibition adds to the portrait of the master builder with tools, his personal seal, bilingual information panels and models of his buildings. Dryanovo’s clock tower dates from 1778 and has a three-tiered central tower.
Diskoduratere also brings together architecture and history. The Roman road station was established between 176 and 180 under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Its archaeological enclosure measures 120 by 100 metres; a ditch, marshland and a steep riverbank served as defences.
Trails and Activities
Features of the Dryanovo Eco-Trail include rare rock formations, rare Bulgarian flora and three viewpoints near Boruna Fortress. Please note the current restriction: the trail’s wooden bridges and stairs are currently impassable. Check conditions immediately before setting out on a hike.
The area between Dryanovo Monastery and Bacho Kiro has marked hiking routes lasting four to six hours, as well as cycling routes and organised climbing. Local guides are available for these activities; check availability in advance. The steep cliffs near the monastery have 87 marked climbing routes of varying difficulty. The number of routes and climbing conditions may change; ask the local climbing club for details.
Planning Your Stay
The E-85 highway and Bulgaria’s main north–south railway line pass through Dryanovo Municipality. The nearest airport is in Gorna Oryahovitsa, 40 kilometres away. Dryanovo is 22 kilometres from Gabrovo and 24 kilometres from Veliko Tarnovo. The Tourist Information Centre provides information about attractions, transport companies, taxis, bus timetables, accommodation, food, entertainment and cultural events; check current opening details separately.
Another detail to look out for in the evening is Kolyu Ficheto Bridge: its artistic lighting was installed in 2015. It is best to check locally whether it is currently switched on.
Discover more destinations: Dryanovo, Tsareva Livada, Kereka, Elentsite, Gostilitsa, Zaya, Manoya, Peyna, Turkincha, Katrandzhii.
For the wider travel overview: Gabrovo Province.
