About the village

Welcome to Golyam Ivzor, a picturesque village nestled in the heart of the Teteven district in Bulgaria. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, Golyam Ivzor is a hidden gem that invites you to experience the authentic charm of rural life. With its tranquil atmosphere, rolling green hills, and meandering rivers, this village offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Golyam Ivzor, where traditional Bulgarian customs and warm hospitality blend seamlessly with the stunning landscapes. Whether you're an avid hiker, a nature lover, or simply seeking a tranquil getaway, Golyam Ivzor promises an unforgettable experience that will captivate your senses and leave you yearning to return.

History

Archeological excavations on Veli Vrah (Veli peak) have discovered foundations of a Roman fortress and some ceramics dating from Thracian, Roman and Slavonic times. Rings and other finds from the 12 century have been revealed at an ancient necropolis in the place Tulioshovec – all these find are testemanent that ancient cultures had existed near the present village. The mountain gave strength to the local people, so they managed to win a special status during the Ottoman occupation – “Voinugansko” village. That means that Turks were not allowed to settle down in it. It was a big village situated on a crossroad to Sredec (nowadays Sofia), Vidin, Ruschuk, the Danube and Vlashko, with more than 3000 inhabitants. In 1870 in the old village school, Vassil Levski founded a Private Revolutionary Committee known as “Suileimanouglu Daud” and in 1872 was appointed as the First Okrazen (Regional) Revolutionary Committee in Bulgaria. The Restoration of the old school and house of George Stoikov – the museum of Vassil Levski now – was completed in 1972 – 100 years celebration of the First Revolutionary Committee establishment. Now you can visit both museums – Shkoloto and the house-museum of Vassil Levski and see the exhibits.

Location

The location of Goliam Izvor Village (the Big Spring) has been chosen by refugees from the region of Kiev, who established the settlement naming it after their home town – Kievo or Kiev izvor, later renamed Bulgarski Goliam Izvor. The village is situated at the northern slopes of the picturesque Teteven Balkan, on the banks of Oselna river. It is only 85 km from the city of Sofia and 15 km from the town of Teteven. With a car the trip from the Bulgarian capital takes an hour. The access is convenient: first you use A2 high way, and later after the turn to Goliam Izvor Village, a well asphalted road. For everyone who would like to discover the beauty of the spectacular Balkan mountain’s middle part, Goliam Izvor has a strategic location. It offers unique opportunities for relaxation and wide variety of cultural and nature associated activities. In the region there are well planned trekking and cycling trails, connecting and revealing the impressive beauty of the Balkan. Besides the preserved biodiversity and magnificent nature sites, not far from the village there are famous historical and cultural monuments. The most interesting of them are: The Glojen Monastery (XIII century), the town of Teteven, the caves Morovitsa and Sueva Dupka, the spa resort Shipkovo, the nature reserves Boatin and Tsaritchina.