LANDMARKS AND ACTIVITIES
First of all, there is the Hristo Botev House-Museum (downtown). It’s not his native house, which burned to ashes when the town was ruined. In 1942 the house where Hristo Botev’s father - the teacher Botyo Petkov had lived later, was restored. A new museum building in folk-style was added in the yard. There is a marble bust of the poet and a sculpture of his mother. Close to the centre, in its upper part, the restored building of the school of the teacher Botyo Petkov can be found. On its lower floor, an art gallery has been arranged, featuring pictures, dedicated to Kalofer and Hristo Botev, and the second floor hosts a museum of education. In front of the building is preserved the stone, on which young Botev makes his fiery speech against the Turkish rule on 24 May 1867, after which he is forced to leave Bulgaria. Next to the building a bust-monument of the teacher Botyo Petkov was erected. Further in this direction is the old revival Holy Virgin Church. In its yard was the simple church cell that gave shelter to Botyo Petkov, when he came to teach in the little town. Hristo Botev was born in it. Now there is only a memorial plate there. Monumental stairs lead from downtown to the Memorial Complex in the foot of the mountains, in the centre of which stands a granite statue of the Bulgarian genius, who has outspoken the prophetic words “One, who falls fighting for Freedom, doesn’t die” and confirmed them himself.
In the north-west end, a glorious monument of Kalifer Voivoda stands. Other interesting sites in the town are: the stone bridges from the revival period over Tundga River, some of the old houses, The Maiden Monastery, built in 1738, St. Atanas Church, the rose-distillery, the beautiful park called Botev’s meadow, etc.
Six km north of Kalofer, along both banks of Tundga River, the Panitsite Resort is situated. It has a lot of recreational facilities, mostly for children. It is a starting point for the Kalofer Mountain (see Stara Planina related chapter). The Kalofer Maiden Monastery can be found on the right bank of Byala Reka River (White River), at about 6 km north-west of the town. Founded in 1640, it was set on fire twice (in 1799 and 1804) by kurdzhalii (Turkinsh brigands), rebuilt in 1819, with a big monastery church. During the War of Liberation it was again plundered and burnt to ashes. Today’s church was built in 1880 on the foundations of the old one. The rest of the buildings are newer.
The upper part of Byala Reka has cut through the Balkan the fantastic South Dzhendem Canyon, declared a Nature Reserve. It is accessible only with mountaineer equipment. Near the Alpine Rai Chalet (Paradise) is the highest waterfall in Bulgaria - Raiskoto Praskalo (The Heavens’ Sprayer) (124 m), whose waters fall down the stony walls of Mt. Botev (2376 m) - the highest peak in the Balkan Range. One can get to this true paradise only on foot and on whores - about 4 hours from the Panitsite Resort. Besides for the Central Balkan Range, Kalofer is also a starting point for the Surnena Sredna Gora Mountain. From the railway station, along a marked tourist track, one can get to Svezhen Chalet in about 5 hours. The chalet is above the village of the same name, where Colonel Serafimov - a hero of the Balkan War, was born. One can also reach the village by bus from Karlovo. From Svezhen Chalet one can continue eastward along the ridge of Surnena Sredna Gora, to the Bratan Chalet and Kavakliika Chalet.
Kalofer has preserved well over the years various local crafts and traditions. Among the regional attractions are visits to the shops for knitiing of world-famous Kalofer lace as well as the traditional chergas and kiteniks. The typical Bulgarian dishes will leave a long lasting memory from this part of Bulgaria.
If you would like to experience the local spirit, visit Kalofer on Christmas and New year’ eve, Bogojavlenie and Zagovezni, Easter, St. Kirik’s day and June 2nd the day of Hristo Botev. One of the most impressive holidays is Jordanovden /Jordan’s Day/ when more than 80 boys and men get into the ice-cold waters of Tundja river to find the holy cross and dance a traditional horo.
Most of the local people grow the world famous Bulgarian rose, which the rose oil is made of. In the beginning of June all visitors can participate in the rose harvest, enjoy the so called rose festivities and also visit te rose oil distillery where one can taste rose jam, rose syrup and even rose brandy. This tradition has turns into a fascinating experience that is long remembered by all who visit Kalofer. Here everyone can find a new and different world.