Bulgaria Inside

Teteven is a small town, hidden in the folds of Stara Planina Mountain. It is situated in the mountain’s central part, on the bank of Beli Vit River.

Little is known of Teteven’s history. Objects and coins have been found in the region, telling about the Thracian and Roman past of the settlement. In the late medieval period, the town was rich, it had many workshops and huge houses. Yet, its wealth led to various assaults. In 1801, Teteven suffered an attack and only few houses and the old monastery were preserved.

In the beginning of the 19th century, Teteven was reconstructed. The town has several interesting spots today. Svetaya Svetih church is known for the artwork. It is a huge sanctuary, constructed during the Ottoman times.

Visit the town’s history museum. It has few interesting collections. Bobevska, Touikovska, Hadzhi Ivanova and Yorgova house are some of the constructions that survived 1801. They were turned into museums and today attract many tourists.

Nature is one of Teteven’s biggest assets.

Ribaritsa, one of Bulgaria’s most famous villages, is situated only few kilometers away from Teteven. The village is nearly 10 km long and is one of the best known rural tourism destinations in the country. It has several hotels. Tourists can also rent villas. Yet, beware. Locals are not known for their hospitality.