Wild love of Shegava and Pchelina

February gave us the first sunny and warm days this year and it was a great opportunity to travel. I decided it was time to visit some natural phenomenon or forest that is just beginning to smell like the fresh upcoming spring. We headed to the area of Kyustendil to enjoy two places that I had never heard or seen before.

I can say from the beginning that these two places are unique and there are not enough words to describe the beauty and the vibration of harmony which floats easily in the air. I hope the pictures will bring you with me to those two places and experience the emotion that we got through.

As I already mentioned we headed to the Kyustendil region and more precisely to the village Razhdаvitsa (which I will give you more information about in the section “useful information”), where the road began to our first discovery. It is a natural phenomenon called Canyon Shegava in Konyiovskata Mountain. I must admit that at the beginning I was not thrilled by the idea of ​​visiting such place but all that changed with my first steps between the rocky walls.

The canyon itself is very picturesque and beautiful. Since in the region Shegava vegetation is lush, the place is a veritable jungle of the temperate zone in which we find ourselves. Curiously, every season here  contributes separately additional and different dose of beauty. We had the luck to visit it in a favourable time because most of the vegetation had not yet blossomed and spread its colors. Looking at the rocky walls you can see different forms of rocks some of which bearing different names such as the camels, the turtles, the loner, etc., and others are waiting for your imagination to give them names. You will also see huge holes in the walls that are actually inaccessible caves, unless you’re adventurous spirited climber.

For me the place is heavenly because it is not popular and this largely contributes to the purity and tranquility that Shegava has. Besides the canyon one can enjoy the beautiful colors and joyful noise of Shegava River (a tributary of the Struma). Mostly because of its nature and the beautiful wild spirit the place inspires every new visitor.

Useful information:
As I mentioned at the beginning, you should head towards the village Razhdаvitsa. Travelling on the road Sofia – Kyustendil, at Razhdevitsa you will turn right before you reach the town of Kyustendil;
In Razhdevitsa you need to get to the church of the village and there you can leave your car because the road to the canyon is difficult to travel by car;
Getting on the square outside the church, reach the right side of the community center and continue along the road. When the asphalt road ends, will begin a narrow road that should continue by its end. (Watch for the ruins of a medieval church at the beginning of the narrow road, as shown in the pictures). On the right side you will see a path that will take you into the canyon where you will truly enjoy the beauty of this phenomenon;
Note that this place is wild, meaning that there is no water fountains and benches for rest as common for eco paths;
It is advisable to put on stable high shoes and wear long trousers because of the dense vegetation;
I also want to salute here BABA TONY! A very cheerful and kind woman from the village Razhdevitsa. I want to thank her for the time and the pleasant chat. I’ve always enjoyed that type of people and I like to stop and talk to them, you learn something new from anyone you meet.

After spending several hours in the wild, we went to the second place where I witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

The location in question is dam Pchelina and “St. John Summer“ – a combination of authenticity and breathtaking view.

The chapel is very small, but extremely interesting. First, because of its located the second, because of the year in which it was built (1350).

The little church is with patron “Saint John Summer” and is located in the former territory of the now-defunct, flooded by the waters of the lake Pchelina, village Pchelintsi, in the area called “Kamiko”, today located at 2 km northwest of the village Potsurnentsi.

The church is built on the spectacular cliffs on the south shore of Lake Pchelina (it is interesting that in the past it carried the name Lobos). You can enter the chapel and light candles, as well as see the murals that remain to this day. As I mentioned at the beginning, the words are really not enough for me to explain the energy and emotion that I felt, sitting on the grass and watching the sun go down.

The site gives love to the soul, the view of the far panorama gives peace, and the water (in my case, water and ice) spreads happiness. All this combination can only charge you positively and make you feel supremely clean, emotionally.

Useful information:
The road that you need to take is Sofia – Kyustendil after going through the town of Radomir yоu watch for a note for Potsurnentsi village, which lies a short distance after the city on the right;
Continue on the main road of the village and get to the center, turn left by the shop located there;
You will reach a nearby neighborhood (you’ll recognise it with a fountain in the site), you go further and you will find yourself on a country road (watch for the signs pointing to the chapel);
Once you pass the lawn you will reach some houses and there it’s good to leave your car in order to continue by foot, as the road is very uneven;
After half an hour walking you will see the chapel in the distance, and the road leading to it;
The place is very beautiful in every season and it’s great for a one-day getaway;

The pictures are in collaboration with Ergyun Musov