The Municipality of Kaloyanovo is located in Plovdiv Province and covers 347.45 km². Horse riding in Zhitnitsa, the annual Kukeri custom in Otets Paisievo and a protected centuries-old oak forest in Begovo cater to different travel interests. If you are looking for hotels in Kaloyanovo, you can decide which places and activities should shape your stay.
Horse Riding and Motorsport
The Trakiec riding centre is located in Zhitnitsa. It offers horse riding and beginner lessons with qualified instructors, with indoor and outdoor arenas available. The activities are open to children and adults, tourists and recreational riders. If you are new to riding, you can opt for the beginner lessons specifically offered; horse riding is also available. Confirm availability before travelling.
Drakon, a private car and motorcycle racing circuit, is located in Kaloyanovo. It is described as Bulgaria’s first and only private racing circuit of its kind. Events and access arrangements may change, so check the latest information before visiting.
Kukeri Traditions and Recurring Festivals
Every year on Sirni Zagovezni, Otets Paisievo hosts a gathering with a Kukeri festival, attended by groups from other parts of Bulgaria. Distinctive features of the tradition include bells weighing more than 30 kilograms and characteristic Kukeri headpieces that are over three metres tall. According to the local account, the custom was established in 1903 and has been preserved to this day. Check the exact dates and participation details locally before travelling.
Zhitnitsa also has its own recurring traditions: a carnival on the Sunday of Zagovezni, a traditional fair on the seventh Sunday after Easter, and a village festival on the third Saturday in September. Dates and programmes may vary from year to year. If your trip is planned around one of these festivals, check the local information for the relevant year.
Church and Settlement History
Zhitnitsa’s landmarks include the Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary, a Franciscan monastery and a cultural centre. The church was consecrated on 16 September 1923 and measures 40 by 18 metres. Check locally before visiting to confirm access to the church, monastery and cultural centre. In 1797, Zhitnitsa’s Catholic community comprised 54 houses and 341 Catholics.
The prehistoric settlements of Kamshikova Mogila and Cheradjiyska Mogila are located in the Kaloyanovo–Zhitnitsa–Duvanlii area. The ancient Thracian settlement of Bendipara and the Roman settlement of Severius are also located in the Kaloyanovo area. Together, these sites trace the area’s prehistoric and ancient settlement history.
Protected Oak Landscape and Location
The protected area of Găstite Dubcheta is located in Begovo. It preserves a centuries-old oak forest and covers 384.244 decares. Alongside its festivals and historic sites, the municipality therefore also has a specific focus on nature conservation.
Zhitnitsa is 30 kilometres north of Plovdiv and five kilometres from the municipal centre of Kaloyanovo. These distances provide two separate points of reference for planning: the regional city and the municipal centre. If you plan to visit Zhitnitsa for its riding activities, church or recurring festivals, you can compare its location with your own priorities.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Duvanlii, Zhitnitsa, Dalgo pole, Otets Paisievo, Brezovo, Kuklen, Rodopi, Karlovo.
Back to the regional travel overview: Plovdiv Province.
