Including Karnare in your travel plans lets you explore the area from two perspectives: the Church of St George the Victorious as a landmark in the village, and the Troyan Pass with its historical traces and viewpoints. This is not a set itinerary, but a choice of focus: village history, pass scenery or a combination of both themes.

These themes call for different perspectives. The church is part of Karnare’s own history; Goraltepe and the Roman Via Traiana belong to the wider context of the pass. You can consider whether your stay should focus mainly on a single landmark or also include the landscape and historical sites in the surrounding area.

The Church of St George the Victorious

The Church of St George the Victorious was built between 1947 and 1955. Karnare is considered the only Bulgarian village to have succeeded in building a church during this period. The building therefore combines a specific construction period with a distinctive place in Bulgarian village history.

For those interested in cultural history, the church offers a clear point of reference in Karnare. Its construction between 1947 and 1955 stands apart as a distinct period from the older historical traces at the pass. Those exploring both themes can consider the village’s building history and the past of the pass route as different aspects of their trip.

Troyan Pass and the Goraltepe Memorial Arch

The Troyan Pass, also known as Beklemeto, connects Karnare with Troyan. It is about 50 kilometres long, and its highest point is at 1,565 metres. These figures describe two different points of reference: the approximate length of the pass and its highest elevation. If you plan to drive over the pass, check current road conditions beforehand.

The Goraltepe Memorial Arch is about a 15-minute walk east of the highest point of Beklemeto. A narrow paved road leads to the monument from the south side. The walking time is measured from the highest point; the road information describes the approach from the south. If you plan a visit, it is advisable to check current access conditions.

From the memorial arch’s platform, the view extends north to the valleys of Beli Osam and Troyan, and south to Sredna Gora, the Rhodope Mountains and Rila. This viewpoint offers a different perspective on the pass area from the church’s building history or the historic route of the Via Traiana.

Roman traces at the pass

Fragments of the Roman Via Traiana have survived around the Troyan Pass. The route included the high-altitude station of Montemno near Beklemeto; from there, it descended towards Hristo Danovo. Montemno and Hristo Danovo provide specific reference points for the historic route: a station near Beklemeto and the direction in which the route descended.

This Roman route offers a different perspective on the area’s history from the church in Karnare: here, the focus is on the course of an older route, while there it is a building with a precisely dated construction period. Those interested in both can consider these different historical and geographical contexts side by side, rather than treating them as a single visit theme.

Plan your stay around your interests

This distinction can also be helpful when looking for a holiday apartment. First consider whether your trip will focus mainly on Karnare’s building history or on the viewpoints and historical traces at the pass. This helps you tailor your choice to what you would like to discover during your stay, without assuming a fixed order of visits.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Banya, Karlovo, Klissura, Moskovets.

Return to the main travel overview: Karlovo.