A Short Introduction to Our Home in the Valley of the Roses

Our Village

Our home is situated in ’The Valley of the Roses’ in central Bulgaria.  We live in a small village called Pevtsite which  means, literally,  ‘singers’ in Bulgarian.  The story goes that in past times there was a monastic farm situated here where the monks could be heard singing their praises to God.  Today, music is still an integral part of village life.  How often I have been lulled to sleep by the melodious strains of gypsy pan pipes wafting through the balmy evenings.  

A farm also still stands here, though now largely in ruins.  It is situated at the edge of the village where the road leads to the river on one side and the sunflower and rose plains on the other.  At the cross roads there is  a pond that resonates with the call of frogs in summertime.

Time seems to have stood still here – people still live the way they lived centuries ago. Everyone grows their own vegetables, many people have livestock; homesteading and small farming are a Way of Life here. Our own home has everything we need for this Way of Life.

The Mountains Surrounding the Valley

The mountains stand tall and proud on all sides.  They protect the village from the elements, reminiscent of the local heroes who fought to protect this area from the Turkish invasion not so long ago.  The mountains fold around the rose plains – on  the one side the ancient Stara Planina (Old Mountain)  and on the other, the majestic Sredna. The village is about four  kilometres from the Troyan Pass.  Even on warm days there is a nip in the air as you reach the summit.  The pass is one of only two to breech the Balkan range in the Valley of the Roses, and is surmountable only in summer time due to the heavy snow in winter.  

The area, quite rightly, has been designated  a National Park. There are footpaths, stunning views, and rare plant and animal species.   A wooden sign declares the presence of a large brown bear!  We have never seen him personally, but we have seen wild boar, eagles, and other large birds. 

The mountains are also host to the world-wide hand gliding community.  We enjoy introducing friends to the sport when they visit!

The Roses of the Valley

In summer time Pevtsite is surrounded by bright pink roses.   The Villagers arise early to pick the aromatic blooms before the sun reaches  it’s height in order to maximise their scent.  The fields are dotted with workers carrying sacks in various stages of fullness.  The sacks are then weighed on trucks that wait in anticipation on the road into the village.  

Our Village is just one in our valley to produce these precious aromatic blooms, renowned the world over. They are used in a variety of rose products.

Customs and Traditions

I have written elsewhere on some of the many colourful events and interesting customs that go to make up Bulgarian life. The ‘Kukeri’ are one of my favourites, but there are so many others.

I think that the strong sense of family and community that still exists here helps to perpetuate the customs and traditions that have to a large extent been lost or relegated simply as tourist spectacles in England. The various rose festivals that take place in our valley are particularly emblematic of the region.

Places to Visit in the Valley of the Roses

We are about 15 kilometres from the historic town of Karlovo .   And under an hour away from  the ancient city of Plovdiv. I always enjoy our visits there, with Roman remains littering every corner – that would be under lock and key or entry fee in England.

About half an hour away from our village in one direction is the Roman town of Hissar.

And half an hour or so away in the other direction is the wonderfully beautiful museum town of Koprivshtitsa.

Further along our valley there lies the area known as ‘The Valley of the Kings’ -a fascinating place to visit.

These are just a few of the beautiful places that surround us! We feel so very blessed!