The Troyan Pass, also known as Beklemeto, stands as a striking mountain pass (or saddle) nestled within the central region of the Troyan Mountain, which itself is a part of the Central Balkan Mountain Range. This expansive territory spans across two administrative areas in central Bulgaria – Lovech (Troyan Municipality) and Plovdiv (Karlovo Municipality).
Geographic Marvel
Stretching over 40.8 km, the Troyan Pass ascends to a peak elevation of 1525.5 meters at the Beklemeto saddle. This elevation makes the Troyan Pass the highest pass in the entire Balkan Mountain Range.
Connecting Valleys and Villages
The pass intricately links the valley of the Beli Osam River in the north with the Karlovo Basin near the village of Karnare in the south. The route commences at 523 meters above sea level in the village of Balkanets. It then climbs southward along the northern slopes of the Troyan Mountain, winding through dense beech forests. After an 18.1 km ascent, the path reaches the Beklemeto saddle at 1525.5 meters. From this high point, the road embarks on a lengthy and continuous descent, characterized by numerous bends along the southern, rocky, and steep slope of the mountain. This descent extends for 22.7 km, ultimately leading to the northwestern part of the Karlovo Basin at the village of Karnare, at 562 meters above sea level.
The Route of Republic Road II-35
Traversing the pass from north to south is the final 40.8 km segment of the second-class Republic Road II-35, spanning from km 85.5 to km 126.3. This road connects Pleven, Lovech, Troyan, and Karnare. Due to the high altitude and substantial snowfall and snowdrifts during the winter season, the pass is not maintained and is closed to vehicular traffic.
The Arch of Freedom Monument
Near the Troyan Pass lies the Freedom Arch Monument atop Mount Goraltepe (1595 meters), accessible by a 15-minute walk eastward from the pass’s highest point. A narrow, asphalted road from the southern side of the ridge, passing through the Kostov Polugar locality, leads to this monument.
Dedicated to Russian liberators and Soviet troops, the monument commemorates the passage of the Troyan Detachment through the Balkan Mountains and the battles of early January 1878 during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation, as well as the entry of the Red Army into Bulgaria in September 1944. The monument is a massive concrete structure standing 35 meters tall. Bas-reliefs on the arch depict Bulgarian rebels and partisans alongside Russian and Soviet soldiers, symbolically welcomed with bread and salt by women in traditional Bulgarian costumes, scenes clearly visible from the northern side of the arch.
A Panoramic Vista
Perched on a platform, the monument offers a panoramic view – northward over the valleys of Beli Osam and Troyan, southward towards Sredna Gora, the Rhodope Mountains, and Rila. To the east and west, one can see the most renowned peaks of the Balkan Mountains, including the highest peak, Botev. The monument’s creation was the collaborative work of architect Georgi Stoilov and sculptor Velichko Minekov.
The Troyan Pass is not just a geographical connector but a historical and cultural landmark, interweaving natural beauty with rich historical significance, standing tall as a testament to Bulgaria’s storied past and breathtaking landscapes.
