Sveshtarska Thracian Royal Tomb and Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo Day Trip from Varna
The tour starts at 8.00 am from your accommodation in Varna. The first stop will be the Sveshtarska Thracian Royal Tomb, part of the The historical and archaeological reservation of Sboryanovo. The complex is situated in the west part of Ludogorsko Plateau, between the villages of Malak Porovets and Sveshtari. It is a unique complex consisting of settlements, temples and necropolises dating back to antiquity. The Sveshtarska Thracian Royal Tomb was constructed in the first quarter of the 3rd century BC and represents a unique monument of the Thracian tomb architecture. It has significant size. Its length is 7.5 m, its width at the facade is 6.5 m, and the height of the tomb chamber (on the inside) is 4.45 m.
Then you will continue to the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, a UNESCO - protected landmark. This is a group of monolithic churches, chapels and monasteries hewn out of solid rock and completely different from other monastery complexes in Bulgaria, located near the village of Ivanovo, 20 km south of Rousse, on the high rocky banks of the Rusenski Lom, 32 m above the river, within Rusenski Lom Nature Park.
While visiting the the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, you will have a chance for a short walk in the Rusenski Lom Nature Park, named after Rusenski Lom River – the last right-side tributary of the Danube River. The beautiful river terraces, the high vertical rocks, the caves, the rock formations, the great biological diversity, and the historical monuments turn the park into a magnificent place of interest. The flora of Rusenski Lom Park includes 902 species. The fauna consists of 10 amphibians (5 of which are protected), 19 reptiles, 22 types of fish, crayfish, snails and river mussels, and 66 mammals. There are different marked routes in the park that allow tourists to observe its biological diversity. If you are interested in hiking in the park, we can organise separate day trips or even multi-day journeys. The place is really stunning.
After the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo and the National Park, you will continue to the Monastery of Saint Dimitar Basarbowski, a Bulgarian-orthodox cave monastery near the city of Rousse. The oldest written mention of the monastery dates to the 15th century in an Ottoman tax register.
After the Monastery you will drive through the the city of Rousse for a short sightseeing tour, just to have an idea of the place. Unfortunately there won’t be enough time to make a real walking sightseeing tour.
In the evening you will departure back to Varna.
