Mala Tsarkva lies in the northern foothills of the Rila Mountains, on the Levi Iskar. Two distinct themes give the place a clear identity: at Pesako, the river disappears underground and re-emerges a few hundred metres farther on; the preserved 16th-century Church of Saints Peter and Paul also stands here. An unusual river course and a specific historic building are therefore points of interest for a trip. When deciding, you can weigh up whether you are looking for nature, cultural heritage, or a combination of the two.

The route to Pesako and the Levi Iskar

A scenic route leads to the Pesako area. There, the Levi Iskar disappears underground and re-emerges a few hundred metres later. The route thus leads to a clearly named destination where the river itself is the focus. Unlike a general description of the Rila foothills, the focus here is on a specific sequence in the river’s course: first its disappearance, then its re-emergence. If you take natural features and landforms into account when choosing a destination, this stretch is a distinct nature highlight of Mala Tsarkva. Pesako is the destination; the Levi Iskar is the river.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The preserved Church of Saints Peter and Paul dates from the 16th century, is partly built into the ground, and is designated a cultural monument. Its period, construction, and monument status describe three different aspects of the same building: its historical origins, a distinctive architectural form, and its official status as a cultural monument. The church is therefore a specific point of interest for anyone who would also like to discover Mala Tsarkva through its history and architecture.

The two highlights appeal to different interests: at Pesako, the focus is on the course of the Levi Iskar; at the church, it is on its date, architectural form, and monument status. If you are choosing between nature and culture, you can decide whether one aspect will be the reason for your trip or whether both make the case for visiting Mala Tsarkva.

Accommodation and information

The village has family hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants that cater to visitors. The restaurants complement the visitor facilities in the village, so Mala Tsarkva combines its nature and cultural attractions with services for travellers.

For your actual stay, availability on your travel dates is important. This keeps your search focused on the dates you will really be travelling. You can consider your preferred type of accommodation separately from your choice of destination: first the place and your main interest, then the specific options.

Discover more destinations: Beli Iskar, Borovetz, Yarlovo, Gorni Okol, Madzhare, Govedartsi, Relyovo, Belchin

For the overarching travel guide: Samokov.