Welcome to the village of Patalenitza
The nice Rhodopean village of Patalenitza is situated 15km southwest from Pazardjik and after it had merged with the village of Batkun in 1955, it became one of the largest villages on the northern mountainsides of the Rhodopean hill Karkariya. Even ancient settlers estimated the strategic importance of these settlements, situated at the beginning of the road between Tracia, Chepin riverbed and the valley of the River Mesta.
Even today the village of Patalenitza still attracts with its magic. You would love everything – the crystal clean air and nature. The late director Hristo Tserovski, the creator of "Petrovden" children’s Shakespearean drama school, used to like to rest and create in the village. His deed was continued by his wife Inna Tserovska, the manager of the school theatre of "Paisiy Hilendarski" university in Plovdiv . The actor Ivo Russev and his wife Slava Russeva - a choir conductor, own a house in the village. The Bazhlekov family, who are painters, also like creating in Patalenitza. The Prakov family - musicians, have been living in the village for a long time.
"St Dimitar" medieval church (XII – XIII century) with its murals, which have distinctive renaissance features, is also here. It is a national monument of culture.
Statues and sculpture groups depict Asclepiy and Hygia, a votive plaque of a Thracian horse – rider, etc., have been found. The Sanctuary dates back to I – IV century.
1km west of Patalenitza there are the remains of Batkunion – the stronghold of the largest medieval town in the area of Pazardjik – Batkun. Time swept the glory of this settlement, which was described as "a glorious and rich town" in ancient Byzantine chronicles.
The present site was accomplished with help of the Workshop For Civic Initiatives Foundation according to Living Heritage Programme, financed by King Baudouin Foundation and Open Society Institute in Sofia. The following attitudes belong to the authors and do not always express the opinion of WCIF, KBF or OSI.
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