Park for bears

The park is so complexly structured that it enables the bears to behave as naturally as possible.
There are dense forests and winter caves as retreats for the bears. Every bear has access to a spacious pool and can climb in its territory. As looking for food takes up a large part of the day in the wild, the feed is well hidden in the park in order to occupy the animals in a sensible way.
The bears are looked after by specially trained bear keepers and vets.
Guided tours give small groups, mostly school classes and groups of children, an idea how brown bears live.

The park is integrated into the region and creates jobs.
It is an international project of VIER PFOTEN. It is run on a non-profit basis but acording to economic guidelines. The park is not financed by admission fees but exclusively by donations.
Every activity is scientifically monitored. The knowledge derived from this project does not only help to improve the living conditions of bears but is also of fundamental importance for further similar projects.
The centre soon will be enlarged up to 70 000 sq.m. and all dancing bears in Bulgaria will find their home in

The price includes: transportation , guide , picnic.

Rila Monastery

This is the biggest Bulgarian architectural monument and the biggest religious center in Bulgaria. It’s situated in the northwest part of Rila Mountains and stands 1150 meters above sea level. It’s built near the mountain rivulets of Rilska and Drushlyavitsa and is 120 km away from Sofia.
Its history is closely connected with Bulgarian history. The hermit Ivan Rilski founded the monastery in the 10th century. The stone tower - the most impressive building in the complex was constructed in the 14th century. It is five-storey, 8,3 m long and 7,8 m wide defense tower. It is 23 m high, and the "Preobrajenie Gospodne" ("God's Transfiguration") chapel is housed in the last floor.
During the ottoman invasion the monastery was burnt and was on the decline. In the second half of the century, three brothers from Kyustendil undertook restoring the monastery and they carried the St. Ivan Rilski`s relics in the monastery. In the 18th and the 19th century, with the financial support of wealthy Bulgarians, building of the monastery began. The construction had extended for 30 years and had been described with a great variety of architectural sights. The four – storey residential part includes three hundred monk cells, a library, an abbot’s room, four chapels, etc.
The monastery museum keeps antiquities, icons and gospels. The famous wood- carved crucifix, made by a monk named Raphael, has been also preserved. He had carved the crucifix for 12 years and then went blind.
The Rilla monastery is the most famous monastery spot in Bulgaria. It was declared a national record of the past and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The price includes: transportation , guide , picnic.