Mala Tsurvka

Along the valley of river Iskar magnifisant village of Mala Tsurkva is located. It is located about 65 km from the capital Sofia and is in the center of the resort tourist triangle “Borovets – Samokov – Mayovitsa”. Developing the year round mountain ecotourism and resort activity in the area eco organization “Rila” uniting more than 40 representitives of local tourist business – owner of small family hotels, transport company, companies exploiting the ski runs and facilities, horse course, mountain guides and etc is established.The alpine /1150m above sea level/ valley is situated along the Iskar river at the foot of the northeastern part of the Rila mountain, the highest mountain on the Balkan peninsula. Splendid mountain meadows and pastures /grasslands/ border with century old coniferous forests above which numerous peaks above 2000-2700 m above the sea level lift up. Many rivers and streams cut through valleys and about 100 circus lakes make the Rila mountain the most watered mountain in Bulgaria. A variety of animals and plant species are in the region. The winter season continues from November till April as it is famous for the biggest snow cover in Bulgaria, the spring season characterizes with moderate temperatures and many sunny days with crystal pure air and cold drinking water

Typical resort tourist services:- small family hotels with capacity of six to thirty beds, homelike coziness, Bulgarian hospitability, Bulgarian national cuisine, eco friendly products - family farms produce the most delicious potatoes in the country, different kind of vegetables and fruits. Cows, goats, sheep, pigs, horses, birds are breed. An attraction for tourists and foreigners is the hand milking, animal breeding and etc. Homemade cheese, yellow cheese can be tasted there. Farmers produce most of dairy and meat products. - Ski run Govedartsi is about 1300 m long, two ski lifts, parking lot, catering establishments, ski wardrobe.- At the distance of 15 km there are two ski runs, four ski lifts, parking lot, catering establishment and etc. in the most beautiful mountain part – the Malyovitsa – resort – national alpine center.- 20 km away the biggest Bulgarian mountain resort “Borovets” with numerous ski runs, lifts, hotels, covered pools, fitness halls, bowling, saunas, massage facilities, tennis courts and other attractions- Just above the villages of Govedartsi, Madjare and Mala curkva the natural park “Rila” offering a variety of landscape’s opportunities is situated. An ecofriendly museum in the open is established there. The park and the regions around the villages offer many opportunities for passing ecofriendly routes and paths for walking, cycling auto tourism, alpine sports and racings, routes to numerous mountain chalets and lakes, visiting churches, monasteries, chapels.- During the summer in the near proximity to the villages there are plenty of opportunities for picnics among the nature, sunbathing at the lush meadows, swimming in the rivers and lakes, fishing, angling, fruit picking – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, mushrooms, hazelnuts and herbs.- Local traditions and customs are preserved and develop in the region. Each year on definite dates folklore and ethnographic fairs hold / carry out/: on 1, 6,7 January, 15,22,28 February; 8,22 March; 3,4, 11-13 April; 6,20,30 and 31May , 29 June; 15, 18-22 August, 15 September, 14 and 26 October, 8 and 15 November; 8, 24-27 and 31 December. These holidays and activities hold at the squares, churches, monasteries, chapels- Ski competition of European and world rank from December to April – ski slalom, giant slalom, biathlon, ski running, alpine ski rally, June – motorcycle competition, summer biathlon; July – alpine auto competition – European cup; September –alpiniada

Other places of interest and routes:-8 km away – open summer swimming pool- 22 km away – mineral spring “Belchin bani” with open and covered mineral pool – curative procedures- 38 km away – mineral spring “Sapareva banya” with opened and covered mineral pools /curative procedures/- at the distance of 25 km the artificial sea of the region – the biggest dam in Bulgaria – the Iskar dam with sand beaches, yachts, boats, water slides and cycles, surfing and surf school, yachting, water sports, fishing and hunting reserve / saphari/- 20km -the unique Seven Rila lakes – one of the three spots in the world where people can gather positive energy. During August the world council of Dunov followers holds here.- 10 km away the municipality center the town of Samokov with population about 30 000 people is – with rich cultural, tourist and geographic history – ethnographic and historical museums, art galleries, monasteries, churches- 65-70 km away the capital of Sofia with population about 1,3 million people is situated with numerous cultural, architectural, ethnographic, historic and natural places of interest.- 80 km away the most visited and famous Bulgarian monastery – Rila monastery- is located. - 130 km - ethnographic historic center the town of Melnik with unique rocks and shapes, Revival houses, thick red wine. The church museum of the world famous prophet Vanga is built.- 120 km away the towns of Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv – ethnographic and historic places are.- 40 km golf course near the town of Ihtiman- 90 km away in the Rila mountain “Adrianov chark’ area the town of Belitsa from 2004 year a park for readaptation of dancing bears- 200 km ecscursions to the near countries Greece or Macedonia, the town of Solun, the town of Ohrid, the town of Skopie, the Ohrid lake, Aton monastery and other