Shipochane

The village of Shipochane is located in the Shipochan ridge, part of East Rila, 10 km northwards from mountain and ski resort Borovets on an altitude of 900 m above sea level. Shipochane has a population of 228 inhabitants (census in 2001 ) and is a part of the Samokov municipality. The distance to Samokov is only 7 km, to capital Sofia – 70 km, to resort Borovets - 16 km, to the highway Sofia – Plovdiv by Ihtiman – 30 km. 10 km northwards begins “Iskar” dam(the biggest in the Balkans) with many chalets and holiday-houses.The climate is temperate continental with mountain influence. The soils are brown and alluvial-meadow. Potatoes, flax, hops, oats are cultivated in the region.The stock-breeding is also good developed(sheep, cattle). Most of the population works in Samokov or BorovetsIn the environment there are old beech and coniferous forests. Not far away from the village is the ridge with inclination northwards on an altitude 1100 – 1300 m, covered  with pastures. The view to the peaks of Mussala and Maljovitsa part is imposant.Not far away northwards, about 2,5 hours by foot, is the historical Shishmanov monastery”Sveta Bogoroditsa” (The Virgin).In spring, summer and autumn one can spend nice time visiting the spa resorts Dolna banja, Pchelinski bani, Belchinski bani, Kostenets and Momin prohod.