In the picturesque valley of the Palakaria River, between the Rila and Verila, Vitosha and Plana mountains, the village of Belchin is a gem just 50 kilometers from Bulgaria’s capital and a mere 15-minute drive from the Borovets resort. Belchin boasts a notably gentle and healthful climate, with its surrounding natural beauty adding to its charm. The area is renowned for its mineral water, celebrated for its therapeutic and preventive benefits.
In 2007, the medieval church “St. Petka,” dating back to the 13th-14th centuries, underwent restoration. Declared a national cultural monument of the first category, it stands as a testament to the village’s rich historical tapestry. The remnants of a fortified settlement and an early Christian cult center from the 4th to 6th centuries on the “St. Spas” hill further underscore the area’s deep historical roots. On September 22, 2008, a monument has been unveiled honoring the Belchin residents who fell during the Balkan Wars and the two World Wars.
Belchin’s existence dates back to the period of the Second Bulgarian Empire. A Turkish register from 1576 mentions it as a village engaged in sheep farming and mining. Notably, in 1469, the Belchin priest Yoan was part of the delegation responsible for transferring the relics of St. Ivan Rilski from Tarnovo to the Rila Monastery. Konstantin Irechek, in his “Travels in Bulgaria,” recorded seeing a prayer book from 1744 in the village.
Tsari Mali Grad
Various legends and assumptions trace the village’s origins to ancient times, possibly founded by the Latins and once known as Tsari Mali Grad. This narrative points to a settlement steeped in millennia of history, intertwined with the neighboring villages through shared traditions and cultural practices. In late 2006, a comprehensive archaeological investigation began, exploring a complex consisting of a church, necropolis, and fortress immediately above the village, revealing layers of history extending far back in time.
The medieval church “St. Petka,” now a first-category national monument of artistic culture, is fully restored, attracting aficionados of art and cultural heritage. Originally it was built in the 17th century over the foundations of an earlier 13th-14th century. The church is celebrated for its exquisite iconography and woodcarvings. At the church’s base, an ethnographic museum house in the Renaissance style – part of the Samokov museum – showcases artifacts reflecting the local lifestyle and culture.
The long and rich history of Belchin is also evidenced by the large fortress (gradishte) with a chapel on “St. Spas” hill. Legends of Tsari Mali Grad find a tangible counterpart in the robust fortress walls, built from hewn stones and bricks dating back to the Roman Empire. The discovery of a square tower, coins, luxury and household ceramics attest to a bustling trade, culture, and metal mining activity in the area during the 4th to 5th centuries.
Today, the Belchin-Belchin Bani area is poised to become a hub for contemporary cultural-historical, balneological, and eco-tourism of European standard. Plans are underway for the restoration and construction of additional cultural monuments. The establishment of eco-trails, the organization of local festivals, and the revival of local traditions.
