Property For Sale in Elena Municipality - Veliko Tarnovo Region of Bulgaria

It is situated in the Elena Balkan, part of the Central Balkan Mountain range 300 metres above sea level and the is relatively sheltered being located in the valley of the river Elena and the lush scenery is a pleasure to the eye in Spring when all the deciduous trees and fruit trees spring to life after the Winter in an abundance of different colored blossom and green buds. A substantial number of small rivers and brooks set in deep gorges and oak lined valleys are all located around Elena. The area is very popular with city dwellers and many 2nd homes are located here since the quality of the air is famed for city smog related asthma and other breathing disorders. The forests around Elena are home to indigenous deer, wolves, wild boars, foxes and hares. One can find mountain barbell and chub in the clean water of the small rivers. Elena has managed to preserve the vast majority of Bulgarian revival architectural heritage, which is evident when you walk the streets. Eight marked ecological pathways start between Elena to the neighboring village of Miykovtsi and allow visitors to enjoy the stunning Elena Balkan.

From archaeological discoveries, the Elena valley area has been inhabited since the late Neolithic period (4000 BC). Thracians, Romans and the Early Byzantines have settled and developed this region through the course of history. Elena developed as a settlement towards the end of the 14th Century when the capital Tarnovo was conquered by the Ottomans in 1393. The Tarnovo boyars, (noble men) and leaders settled permanently in the Elena region because their feudal possessions were hidden here away from the invading Ottomans. During the Ottoman Occupation of Bulgaria (1393 – 1878) Elena was gradually establishing itself as a commercial, cultural, administrative and vocational centre. The basic occupation and means of making a living of the local residents was agriculture, stock-breeding and crafts. From the late 18th Century Elena began her transformation (often referred to as the Golden Age) from a basic administrative town to a blooming community which weaved thick wool rugs, painted, and became a "centre of expertise" for these and other crafts. The prosperity of Elena in the beginning of the 19th century was also grounds for development of the cultural and education processes.

Not to miss in Elena
The Museum of Paleontology is housed in Popnikolova House. It is one of the oldest buildings in Elena and typifies the local style of architecture from the period of the Bulgarian National Revival (18th-19th centuries). Like many properties in Elena, it's a site of architectural and construction cultural heritage of national importance. Elena is an architectural hotspot in Bulgaria for various vernacular Bulgarian architectural styles evident in the towns' rich and enviable selection of buildings, both public and private. There are nearly 200 buildings and monuments of culture and of these 7 are of national significance. Amongst these buildings which are symbolic for the town of Elena is the Ilarion Makariopolski museum house. It is the oldest of the maintained houses and was constructed between 1710 to 1715, located in the centre of Elena. The house has traditional overhanging eaves built out of solid oak and epitomises Bulgarian culture. The property is now part of the Museum of Revival and the tormentous Bulgarian Liberation. Two themed exhibitions are placed in it; the customs and culture of Elena during the Revival period and Christian art.

Another stunning example of the simple yet strong architectural form of the revival are the Five Houses of Razsukanov, located in “Sava Katrafilov” Street, built by the businessman Harzhi Dimitar Razsukanov at the end of the 18th century. Each terraced house has its own architectural style which differentiates it from its neighbour, however the elevation of each property has an affinity with its neighbour, the result is a perfectly balanced conglomerate of architectural style, again not to be missed.

Another fascinating building in Elena is the school of the Daskalolivnitsa – the first formal school in Bulgaria. The building is two stories high and is built from solid stone and oak. The ground floor has three big and unusually well lit basement rooms which were used as workshops. On the second floor the formal classrooms are located with a teacher`s room where teachers improved their teaching skills. The resultant educated teachers and intellectuals were sent to 61 towns and 31 villages throughout Bulgaria. The founder of the first Bulgarian school was Ivan Nikolov Momchilov (1819 – 1869). He was a prominent scholar and teacher of the National Revival and writer of many books, including "Grammar of the contemporary Bulgarian language". On the plot is also situated the Christian church “St. Nikola” – the oldest church in Elena and in the region, it dates back from 1518 and inside there are beautiful icons and wall-paintings.
All three of the above properties are classified as cultural monuments of national importance.

Alternative spellings of Elena: Elayna, Eleyna, Helena, Елена

Nearest Towns: Veliko Tarnovo – 40km, Gorna Oryahovitsa – 37km, Sliven - 72km
Nearest Villages: Yakovtsi - 5km Ruhovtsi - 7km
Area size of town 62.42km2
Altitude 293m above sea level
Post code for Elena Town - 5070
Latitude 42.560N Longitude 25.530E
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