In November 2025, the research topic "The History of Places/Places of History" was finally determined, on which researchers from VTU will work under RP1 and RP2 in project BG16RFPR002-1.014-0011 -C01 Sustainable Development of the Center for Excellence "Heritage BG." Under WP1, "Revealing Bulgarian Cultural Heritage and Its Socialization through New Technologies," two micro-projects were prepared and developed: "Cultural and historical heritage in the Yantra River basin – roads, settlements, livelihoods" and "Cultural and historical heritage in the Yantra River basin – cult sites, temples, holy springs." Under OP2 Natural Heritage as a Resource for Socio-Economic Development, a micro-project was developed on the topic "Natural Heritage in the Yantra River Basin. Protected Areas – Dividends for the Sustainable Development of Local Communities (Challenges, Solutions, and Good Practices)."
During the first three months of work on these micro-projects – from November 2025 to January 2026 – the VTU project teams for RP1 and RP2 jointly implemented the activities under Task 1 in the work plans: Defining the spatial scope of the model territory. In accordance with the predefined regional parameters for VTU's participation in "Heritage BG," the Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo regions are accepted as a model territory under the name Yantra River Basin. Within the scope of the model territory, active interaction with regional administrations, municipal authorities, the local community, and interested economic entities is envisaged. At the same time, the teams working on the three micro-projects were assigned and are in the process of carrying out tasks related to researching information from the archaeological map of Bulgaria, historical sources, historical and geographical publications, local history materials, cadastral maps, municipal planning documents (strategies, programs, development plans), GIS data (National Spatial Data Portal, etc.).
In order to fully develop and test the research methodology and implement the scientific and applied activities, it was necessary to define a more limited, reference territory from a total of 14 municipalities in the two administrative regions. The territory of the municipality of Elena was accepted for this purpose. The largest number and density of NCPs (over 600) are found in its Stara Planina part. The municipality also includes the main target natural areas – protected areas under the Habitats and Birds Directives, as well as protected sites and natural landmarks. The villages in the municipality of Elena have a relatively well-developed base for tourist accommodation for rural, eco, and cultural tourism—mainly guest houses, family hotels, and pensions. There are 190 establishments with 2,000 registered beds in 47 villages. On the other hand, negative trends in economic and demographic development make the issue of involving the natural and cultural resources of rural areas in economic activity particularly relevant. Of a total of 123 rural settlements, 37 are already without a permanent population and another 20 have a population of 1-2 to 10 inhabitants. An additional consideration that directs us towards rural areas is the fact that cultural and historical heritage sites in the smallest settlements are most at risk.
Based on the available information and spatial analysis of the data entered into the GIS environment, we identified key areas. The key areas include small groups of neighboring settlements that offer cultural, historical, and natural resources for tourism, as well as tourist accommodation facilities, and the proximity and closeness allow for the development of complex routes and digital products that enrich and diversify tourist attractions. Based on these criteria, three key areas have been identified: the group of settlements of Maryan-Bebrovo-Kostel, the settlements south and east of the Yovkovtsi dam, and those in the upper reaches of the Veselina River – Toduvtsi and Drenta. The first area consists of 12 settlements (Bebrovo, Bosevtsi, Petkovtsi; Maryan, Dolni Maryan; Rukhovtsi; Palitsi; Chakali; Toduvtsi; Drenta; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Todovtsi; Tod In the first section, consisting of 12 settlements (Bebrovo, Bosevtsi, Petkovtsi; Maryan, Dolni Maryan; Rukhovtsi; Palitsi; Chakali; Kostel, Valeto, Gramatici, Kolar) in 6 municipalities (Bebrovo, Maryan, Rukhovtsi, Kostel, Chakali, Palitsi) with 162 sites – NCC, field studies are forthcoming.
Author of the text: Assoc. Prof. Rosina Kostova, PhD, lead researcher R3 with managerial functions (St. St. Cyril and Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo)
