Nestled in the heart of central Bulgaria, the Zhrebchevo Reservoir is an expansive body of water, a marvel of engineering that owes its existence to the Tundzha River. The reservoir’s name, intriguingly, is borrowed from the now-submerged village of Zhrebchevo, a place whose remnants lie silently beneath the tranquil waters. This reservoir is not just a natural wonder; it is a state-owned asset, managed by the national enterprise “Irrigation Systems.”
A Vast Expanse: Size and Significance
Covering an impressive area of 25 square kilometers, Zhrebchevo proudly ranks as the fifth-largest reservoir in Bulgaria. It stands in the company of the country’s largest water bodies, following the ranks of Mandre, Iskar, Studen Kladenets, and Ogosta. This vast reservoir stretches across a picturesque sub-mountainous landscape, its reach extending from the towns of Nikolaevo and Gurkovo, and the village of Panicherevo in the Stara Zagora Province, through the Tvarditsa Municipality, all the way to the villages of Banya and Asenovets in the Nova Zagora Municipality, Sliven Province.
History Submerged: The Reservoir’s Origins
Zhrebchevo Reservoir was brought into operation in the year 1965, a monumental project that forever changed the region’s landscape. However, beneath its placid surface, there lies a haunting history – three villages, including Zhrebchevo itself, Zapalnya, and Dolno Panicherevo, were submerged to create this aquatic expanse. These villages, now lost to time, rest in the basin of the reservoir, their stories preserved in the whispers of the water.
Ghosts of the Past: The Submerged Church
In the reservoir’s northeastern corner, the only visible remnant of this submerged history stands—the church of St. Ivan Rilski. Once a vibrant part of the village of Zapalnya, this church now rises eerily from the water, a solemn monument to the lives once lived in this region. It is a haunting reminder of what was sacrificed to bring the reservoir to life.
Echoes of Ancient Times: The Roman Ruins
But the stories don’t end with the villages. Near the dam of Zhrebchevo, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an ancient Roman fortress. These ruins, now revealed to the world, offer a tantalizing glimpse into the distant past, where once, the Roman Empire held sway over these lands.
