Borovets
Borovets ( Bulgarian Боровец ) is a resort in the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria. It is the largest and oldest mountain resort in Bulgaria.
Until the mid-20th century Borovets was under the name Tscham korija ( Bulg Чам кория ) known.
Borovets is a resort, sometimes called Resort, Ski Resort, Ski Complex, winter resort or mountain resort called. " Bor" is the Bulgarian word for " pine ". In Bulgarian Borovets is called " resort" ( Bulg курорт ). But that can not be transferred literally into German, since it is not a traditional health resort, be carried out in the medical therapies as part of a spa ( spa treatment or drinking cure ).
1896 was Prince Ferdinand I. by architect Georgi Fingow there built his summer residence Zarska Bistriza. Thus began the story of Borovets, the oldest resort in Bulgaria. Borovets was the starting point for hunting parties of the Bulgarian kings. It was the hunting grounds and summer residence of the Bulgarian aristocracy. Among other things, golf was played. The winter sport was then almost unknown and was added later. The former Tsarist palace in the Rila Mountains was nationalized after 1944 and until 1989 was known unofficially as the residence of Todor Zhivkov communist head of state.
Until the mid-20th century Borovets was called " Tscham korija " ( Bulg Чам кория ). There was previously no village. To date, there is no town has developed. It has remained a pure hotel complex, as for example, on the Black Sea resort town, the sun beach and Gold beach. While there are some accommodations for hotel staff, shops and a post office, but no real population.
In Borovets, there are 26 hotels of various categories and holiday villages with 4200 beds, and a mountain hut. Borovets is one of the winter resorts in Bulgaria with the most developed system for nightlife. During the communist era, there were also many operating convalescent homes and rest homes of government departments and agencies.
Today Borovets is the biggest and most famous resort in Bulgaria. Other well-known ski resorts Pamporovo are ( in the Rhodopes ), Bansko ( Pirin ), Schtastliweza ( in Vitosha ) and Usana ( the Balkan mountains ).
Borovets is located on the northern slopes of the Rila mountain, 1,350 meters above sea level. Just above Borovets is an extensive alpine mountain range with the 2925m high peak Musala, the highest mountain in the Balkan Peninsula.
The Bulgarian capital Sofia is located 73 km to the north. Plovdiv is 127 km to the east. The main route of Borovets leads to Samokov, the nearest town. Samokov is situated 10 km north-west of Borovets, on altitude of 950 meters. Borovets is part of the municipality of Samokov. The village of Maritsa is 12 km away.
The calling code of Borovets is 0750th
Ski Resorts
In Borovets there are a variety of lifts and a developed network of trails and ski slopes of varying difficulty. The 58 km of slopes and trails spread over three different ski areas. The ski lifts to the slopes can serve approximately 155,000 tourists per hour.
Sitnjakowo
The first ski area consists of the slopes of Sitnjakowo and Martinowi Baraki with a total length of 19 km, difficulty "blue", "red" and "black", and includes 8 tracks.
Yastrebets
The second ski area is the area Yastrebets ( German: Habicht ), consist of 3 runs. There are also international ski races are held. The Pist Yastrebets has the highest class and is suitable for national competitions. The highest slope is the Markudschik slope at 2560 m altitude. Many ski slopes leading down after Borovets. The longest run is 12 km long.
The development of the ski area Yastrebets began in 1981 with the construction of a 5 km long, very modern for its time Bulgarian standards cabin lift. The upper station of the lift goes to the mountain hut Yastrebets that was previously only be reached in 4 hours walk from Borovets from. Before the construction of the lift the hut that had no electricity, and the whole area was very secluded, surrounded by unspoilt nature. From the refuge Yastrebets leads to 1.5 hours of hiking to the mountain hut Musala, both mountain cabins are located almost at the same level and the path between the two is almost flat. From the mountain hut Musala, which stands at the foot of Mount Musala, you arrive in 3 hours to the summit.
Markudschika
The third ski area is Markudschika with 4 slopes. It falls from an altitude of 2550 meters from a height of 2145 meters. These slopes are very demanding. The runs are used for staging of giant slalom competitions.
There is also a floodlit, enabling skiing in the dark. The snow cover lasts from mid-November to mid-April, where it is strongest in March.
1981 and 1984 were in the race Borovets discharged to the Alpine Ski World Cup and 1993 Biathlon World Championships.
Slopes
Sklilifte
Super Borovets
The project " Samokov - Borovets - Beli Iskar " ( Bulg Проект " Самоков - Боровец - Бели Искър " ), also called " Super Borovets " ( Bulg Супер Боровец ) called, with a total investment of 350 billion euros, the largest and most expensive investment and construction project in Bulgaria. Borovets will be enlarged so that it includes the neighboring towns of Samokov and Beli Iskar with. A total of 100km ski slopes are created and lifts with a total daily capacity 30000-35000 tourists are built. Main contractor is the company Glawbolgarstroj ( Bulg Главболгарстрой ).
The project relates to Borovets (1100 m above sea level), Banderata ( 1460 m asl), Gwardejska Polyana (1620 m asl) and Bjale Polyana (1310 m asl). In addition to be built as part of the project, the 80 km long highway " Rila " between Dupniza, Wakarel, Samokov and Witinja. You should connect the highways " Hemus ", " Trakija " and " Struma " with each other.
The project will cover three areas:
The first section, or "Lower Borovets " (1100 m asl) is a new development area just outside of Samokov and Paschaniza. This area will offer lower-priced tourist accommodation and have a good transport connection to Borovets and the ski slopes in Borovets. Planned are 6,000 to 7,000 beds. In Beli Iskar and Sokolez Hotels for 2000 to 3000 beds will be created.
The second area, or the actual Borovets, will consist of the existing Borovets, which will be further expanded. There will be approximately 10,000 hotel rooms, that's about as much as Borovets also already provides.
The third area, or "Upper Borovets ", will consist of five - star hotels and include 2500 beds and in the area Gwardejska Polyana ( Bulg Гвардейска поляна ) and Metscha Glawa ( Bulg Меча глава ) lie.
The construction project began in 2004. Originally it was planned to complete it until 2009, but it came at different delays.
Among other things, the murder of the banker Emil Kjulew ( bulg.Емил Кюлев ) delayed the mega-project in October 2005. In its place, foreign banks then stepped in with financing. Kjulew was the majority shareholder of the investment company " Rila Samokov 2004", which was established specially for the planning, financing and execution of the mega project. Kjulew was over his company "Contract 99" 51% " Rila Samokov 2004". the remaining shares in " Rila Samokov 2004" keeps the municipality Samokov (25%; through the provision of land), Glawbolgarstroj (16 %) and " Energokomplekt " (8%, a company of " Rej Holding").
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 8 October 2007. Now the project is to be implemented in the period 2007-2012 in two stages. In total an area of 623 500 m2 of hotels and residential property to be built on. Super Borovets should comprise a total area of 2380 ha.
The plan is the number of slopes to expand by 19, so that there will be a total of 90 km of slopes. Accordingly, 12 additional ski lifts are to be built. One of the lifts will be 9 km long and connect to Samokov Borovets, which have "Lower Borovets " and make multiple stops. Likewise, at least to one of the new ski slopes lead down to the "Lower Borovets ".
Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha has a heritage of the Bulgarian Tsar Boris III. by the Bulgarian state in 1700 ha get transferred back to the forest, situated in the territory of the construction project. The Sultan of Oman is also involved in the project.
From conservationists, this project is heavily criticized because the planned objects are in the Rila National Park. There are cut down for the project large forest areas. Proponents of the project argue that it is not in the nature park Rila, even if it relates to protected natural areas.
The company " Sofprojekt " to prepare the candidature of Sofia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. In addition to the main venues in Sofia and in the neighboring Vitosha should be resolved within this framework also competitions in Super Borovets, which will be accessible via the then unfinished new highway " Rila " in less than an hour from Sofia city center (80 km distance ).
Walking routes
Borovets is known not only as a winter resort. In the summer there are also numerous recreational opportunities there, because the place is the starting point for many hiking trails in the Rila Mountains. The average temperature in July is about 15 ° C.
From Borovets is the starting point for numerous hiking trails in the Rila Mountains:
- To the mountain Sokolez - 3 hours walk, 6 km, 400m height difference,
- The Black Rock ( Bulg черна скала; transcription: Tscherna scale ) - 3 hours walk, 5 km, 300 m difference in altitude, the trail leads to the river Maritsa along the area Sokolez.
- The peak Musala ( 2925m ) - the first Wagstreck can be covered with the mountain cable car, 6 hours walk from the top station of the gondola at Yastrebets; from Borovets to Musala is 10 km in a straight line,
- To Maljowiza ( 2729 m) and on to the Rila Monastery. Preferably, drove up to the Maljowiza region by bus, so that only the distance to the Rila Monastery (7-8 hours walk ) is run. Then takes place from Rila Monastery again the return trip by bus to Borovets. ( There are other possible routes )
- To the Seven Rila lakes (2300 m)
- To the palace Sitnjakowo - 1.5 leagues,
- To the refuge Mariza - 4.5 leagues,
In the Rila Mountains also offer multi-day hikes, as a developed network of mountain huts offering accommodation is available, even if the dorms do not offer any comfort.