The Municipality of Mirkovo brings together the mountain landscapes of Stara Planina and Sredna Gora with the basin plain in between. Mirkovo is the municipality’s main town and lies at an elevation of 748 meters in Sofia Province, Bulgaria. Hiking trails, river valleys and historical remains give the region a range of features to consider when planning your trip.
Landscape, Rivers and Hiking Trails
In the village of Mirkovo, grassy grazing hills lie to the east, the slopes of Gulabets to the west, a river valley to the south and the foothills of Stara Planina to the north. The village area is designated as 55 percent forest, 41 percent agricultural land and 4 percent water. The Smolska, Bunovska, Mirkovska and Kamenishka rivers form valleys with steep longitudinal gradients.
A one-day hiking route leads from Mirkovo to the peaks of Baba and Mara Gidia; a detour goes to Govedarnika. The route passes through the Siniya Kamak area and has several shelters. Check trail conditions and markings locally before setting out. The Aramliets protected area and hunting reserve in the village of Kamenitsa are other natural sites.
The municipality’s four small reservoirs include Radin izvor and Kamenna Mogila in Mirkovo, Smolsko in Smolsko, and Isin Punar in Benkovski. They are used mainly for irrigation and are also associated with fishing tourism. Check permit requirements and conditions before fishing.
Places for Activities and Exploration
Above Mirkovo is the Bardo open-air ethnographic center. The grounds include a covered stage, a stone-paved square, sheltered seating, a barbecue area, pergolas, gazebos, a children’s play area and temporary exhibitions. The center operates year-round and hosts the municipal holiday; confirm current opening arrangements and the program before visiting.
A sports complex in Mirkovo covers 41 decares and includes a football stadium, a swimming pool, a small-sided football pitch, a tennis court, and basketball and volleyball courts. Check current access and operating rules in advance. On the railway line to Bunovo, a 30-meter-high railway bridge spans the Bunovska River. It is considered the highest bridge in the Balkans and is part of the Sub-Balkan railway line. Bungee jumps take place there annually; check whether they are available before your trip.
History and Local Traditions
Archaeological finds from the area around Mirkovo include pottery, iron ploughshares and spears that are almost 2,800 years old. A Thracian settlement on Yalamovo Hill later became a fortress. Other remains include a Roman tomb in Aramudere and the remains of the medieval Church of St. George, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries.
The restored monasteries of St. George and St. Peter stand in the village of Smolsko. The Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, built in 1859, preserves ornamental decorations on its walls, doors and windows, a depiction of the double-headed eagle, and a carved iconostasis. Mirkovo also has a varied craft tradition: masonry, horseshoeing, carpentry, metalwork and dairy work, as well as trade. Local accounts describe Mirkovo as the site of Bulgaria’s first brewery, built in 1878; parts of the old brewing equipment have been preserved.
The renovated Hristo Botev community center in Mirkovo houses a library and a cinema hall. It has self-organized groups for old urban songs, theater, children’s folk and pop singing, and synthesizer lessons. Confirm current groups and programs locally. Traditions include ring singing on New Year’s Day and a Kukeri gathering at Sirni Zagovezni, with bonfires, decorated bells and Oratnitsi torches. Dates and public programs may vary from year to year.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation options in the area include Chavdar Hut in Stara Planina, Opor Hut in Sredna Gora, as well as Hotel Yotin and Miner’s House St Ivan Rilski in Mirkovo. The location details distinguish the two huts from the two options in the main town. Check current operating status before booking.
Discover more destinations: Bunovo, Zlatitza, Samokov, Sofia, Kostenetz, Svoge, Etropole, Slivnitza.
Go to the main travel overview: Sofia Province / Sofia.
