Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
making a visit here very worthwhile. You may also see (and hear!) the enormous barrels
of fermenting plum brandy in the courtyard being made by the rascally monks.
Bus 10 from Veliko Târnovo passes the monastery. It will leave you at a turn-off on the
road headed to Ruse. From here, it's a shady, uphill 3km walk. A taxi from Veliko
Târnovo costs about 8 lv one way.
EMEN
The 3km-long
Emen Canyon
, along the Negovanka River, is unique in Bulgaria. Some
25 hectares of land here exist as a protected reserve for species of butterflies, fish, birds
and bats. The reserve also includes the 10m-high
Momin Skok Waterfall
, most impress-
ive in spring.
Hiking the
Negovanka Ecotrail
, which runs in a loop in and around the canyon, is
Emen's main attraction. The trail is signposted from Emen village. Veliko Târnovo's
Tourist Information Office can provide more details and/or maps.
Emen village and the canyon are 25km west of Veliko Târnovo, and are accessible by
the bus from Veliko Târnovo to Pavlikeni, which leaves Târnovo's Pâtnicheski Prevozi
bus station twice daily.
NIKOPOLIS-AD-ISTRUM
Originally a Roman city built in AD 102 by Emperor Trajan, Nikopolis-ad-Istrum was destroyed by Slavs in the late
6th century; the extensive ruins include streets, towers, gates, the city square and town hall. Veliko Târnovo's Ar-
chaeological Museum displays the site's best surviving artefacts.
If driving from Veliko Târnovo, head north towards Ruse and take the signposted turn-off to the left (west) after
about 20km. This access road is rough in parts. By bus, take the same northerly route, and dismount at the turn-off
to Nikyup; from there, it's a 4km signposted walk. In summer, check opening hours ahead in the Veliko Târnovo
TIC.
Dryanovo Monastery
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