At the foot of the picturesque Iskar Gorge, Gara Bov lies 8 kilometers from the municipal center of Svoge and 51 kilometers from the bustling capital, Sofia. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, replete with numerous gorges, chasms, and caves. The mountain range in this area exhibits a predominantly karst character. Elevations vary from 500 to 900 meters above sea level, with the Sofia–Mezdra–Varna railway line traversing through it. Notably, Gara Bov houses the “Sŭrandalitsa” cave, boasting gallery lengths of 22 meters.
A Legend Carved in Stone
The residents of Bov have crafted a legend, which serves as a captivating tourist attraction. According to this tale, the village derives its name from the French knight Saint de Boeuf. Captured by the warriors of Tsar Kaloyan, he became the Tsar’s vassal. Following the death of Emperor Baldwin of Flanders in 1206, the marquis was granted favor by the Bulgarian ruler to settle with his followers in what is now the village’s territory.
Tracing Back Through Time
The authentic history of Bov dates back to the early Middle Ages. Historical studies conducted in the 1980s by a team from the National Institute of Cultural Monuments unearthed remnants of an ancient settlement and an early medieval Christian church in the “Monastery” area, 1.5 kilometers southeast of Gara Bov. The monastery church of St. Archangel Michael, repeatedly altered and renovated over time, echoes the architectural plan of its original design. In the 14th century, the village was mentioned as Bovovtsi in the Murachka Charter of Tsar Ivan Alexander (December 1, 1947).
The Growth of Gara Bov
Before the railway line was constructed, Gara Bov comprised only three houses. The movement of the population towards Gara Bov intensified during 1956–1957. During this period, the population of the village of Bov dwindled from 1557 to 533, while the inhabitants of Gara Bov surged to 1777. Subsequently, the municipality moved to Gara Bov, incorporating the villages of Zasele, Zimevitsa, Zanoge, and Gubislav, and for a brief period, even the village of Lakatnik.
