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Recreation and tourism

 

In Patalenitza you can visit

 

Batkun Monastery with hundreds-year-old vine

 

  
Thanks to its picturesque countryside and pleasant climate the village of Patalenitza is an attractive tourist place. The natural recourses (clean air, healthy climate, beautiful forests) and the location are ideal to develop country, mountain and hobby tourism.
You can visit "St Peter and Pavel" monastery, which has an interesting ancient history and magnificent surroundings. Stefan Zahariev, keen on natural beauty, was enchanted by the location of the monastery of Batkun and says, "A charming high place with most cold water and spacious view – the best place to live within the eparchy of Plovdiv" Even today this "charming place" has its beauty. A lot of pilgrims come to the monastery on 29th June, St Peter’s day. It is interesting to point out that some of them spend the night before the day on the floor of the church of the monastery to bring health. The road leading to monastery is very good. But it might be better to go on foot and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Also, you could see the ruins of the stronghold of Batkun. Up to eight people can sleep at the monastery if they have booked it in advance.
From the monastery, walking on goat paths, you can get to Asclepiy’s sanctuary.
In the village of Patalenitza you can visit "St Dimitar" church. It is still not open for visitors but you can see the building outside. The church has been restored every summer for several years. The beautiful dome has been restored and joints are the same as the original. The windows have been replaced with original holes looking like embrasures.They consist of a metal frame and coloured pieces of glass. The floor cover is to be made and the electric

instalation to be finished. It is necessary to form paths of stones around the church and the yard. There are no places for visitors to take a rest.

Once the great art historian Prof. Atanas Bojkov said that "St Dimitar" church was the second Boyan church. We do hope this spiritual holy place to be restored soon.
In the centre of Patalenitza there is the ancient "The Assumption" church.
Not far from the village is "St George" chapel.The road is rough and it is difficult to reach the place by car. But you can walk there and it takes about half an hour. Near the chapel you can climb a hill called "Tepeto" where there are ruins of ancient walls. Unfortunately a lot of treasure-hunters are looking for coins and cause damage to place.
You can also visit "Konstantin Velichkov " primary school. Surely this is the only one in Bulgaria whose yard could be used as a theatre
 

The iconostasis of "St George" Chapel

 

stage in summer. No other school has a permanent exhibition of icons drawn by children.

If you want you can start drawing your icon at Icon-painting school or would you like to make your jewelry at Ethnographical workshop? We will help you.
After the end of the school year you can check when there is a performance of "Petrovden" Drama school. Being unique this drama school gives a chance to the village to develop alternative country tourism. This is the only place in Bulgaria offering such an experience to theatre lovers from our country and abroad. The unique atmosphere among sets built in the open air, young actors’ excitement and their professional skills guarantee the successful realization of the idea. Be our guests and you will have unforgettable experiences.
If you are in a hurry just drop in the Town hall to see the historical collection and the ethnographic shop. The collection will be open in March 2005.