Driving down to Berkovitsa is slow as travelers are constantly distracted by boards reading “jams, syrup, stewed blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cornels, pears”. The locals sell homemade specialties that are hard to resist. In the summer and in early fall, one can buy straight from the road incredible, ripe raspberries – or you can even go out of the car and pick some. No wonder raspberries are one of the symbols of Berkovitsa, and the other one is the local earthenware. In times of old the potters were prosperous in the town where other crafts thrives as well – shoemaking, tailoring, leather working, carpet-weaving and coppersmith’s trade. The old-time Berkovitsa craftsmen had a solid reputation based on their mastery, and back in 1869 while Bulgaria was still under Turkish rule, some of their works got first prizes at a festival in North America: a carpet and a pair of woolen socks with a characteristic shade of pink. In the 1890s a factory opened in Berkovitsa for raspberry syrup, a product that was later awarded gold and silver medals at prestigious fairs in London, Paris and Liege. By the way, they say that there is a single monument to female raspberry-pickers in the world and it is in Berkovitsa. In 1967 a public fountain was built of rosy Berkovitsa marble. On its side there is a sculpture of a young female raspberry picker, seated and holding her basket. The monument was created by sculptor Stefan Stoimenov and by architect Kostadin Yotzov.
In Berkovitsa it is worth visiting the museum of the founder of modern Bulgarian literature, Ivan Vazov who lived for a while here working as a judge. While listening to the guide how Ivan Vazov took inspiration from the life in the Revival town, tourists can learn more about the town’s habits and ways in the late 19 c. And do not be surprised when - with some quite cute sense of humor - the people of Berkovitsa tell you which the most prominent asset of their town actually is: the fact that the town has outlived the Roman Empire. The earliest names of the town go back in time to the Classical Antiquity, a time when Thracian tribes lived here and the land was part of the Roman Empire These names are Beridizos, Berideva and Castra Beri. In some interpretations the root ber- in all names is associated with fast victory, or with victorious elevations.
A few kilometers away stands the Klissourski Monastery Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Built back in 1240, reduced to ashes and restored many times, today it is the fourth largest monastery in Bulgaria. It has been dubbed the Spiritual Pearl of Northwestern Bulgaria. In Berkovitsa itself one can visit the churches the Nativity of the Holy Virgin and St. Nicholas the Wonder Worker. The clock-tower built in 1762-64 is another landmark in the town and still measures time. Whether it will pass quickly or slowly for you is up to the routes that you would opt for: the silent meadows, the majestic peaks or why not, a flight with a paraglider. In any case the Berkovitsa section of the western Balkan Range will truly fascinate you.
Translated by Daniela Konstantinova
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