Boboshevo: Protected Areas and Historic Churches

The municipality of Boboshevo includes part of the Rila Mountains, the northern slopes of the Ruen Mountains and a section of the Struma tectonic valley. Its river system includes the Struma and Dzherman; the Slatinska flows into the Dzherman. The mountains, valley and river courses give the natural landscape its varied contours and provide a guide to exploring the municipality.

Landscape and Protected Nature

Several protected areas draw attention to specific plant populations and habitats. Within the boundaries of the town of Boboshevo, the “Woolly-flowered Astragalus Site – Boboshevo” protects a population of woolly-flowered astragalus (Astragalus dasyanthus Pall.) and its habitat. In the village of Vukovo, protection is focused on a population of anisophyllous mullein (Verbascum anisophyllum Murb.) and its habitat. Both areas were designated in 2013.

In Skrino, the Turkish hazel site has been designated a natural monument since November 25, 1980. Another form of protection is the “Boboshevo” bird protection zone, code BG0002107. It is part of the Natura 2000 network and was designated on October 29, 2008. The first two areas focus on a plant species and its habitat; zone BG0002107 is dedicated to bird protection.

Churches, Archaeology and Local History

Vukovo is home to two churches with distinct historical records. The Church of St. Nicholas is an architectural and artistic monument of national significance dating from the 16th century, and was designated as such in 1969. The Church of St. Petka was built in the second half of the 16th century and painted in 1592. Near Boboshevo, the Church of St. Todor was built at the beginning of the 11th century. The Church of St. Atanas, dating from the 16th to 17th centuries, is also within the boundaries of the town of Boboshevo; St. Ilija was built there in 1678.

The history of settlement goes back a long way: the prehistoric settlement in the Chardako area near Slatino was inhabited during the Copper Age, in the 5th to 4th millennium BC. Objects made of bone, stone and ceramics from Chardako are displayed in the museum collection in Boboshevo. The Loza 1870 cultural center marks another chapter in local history: it was founded in 1870–1871 and is one of the region’s earliest cultural centers.

Ruen Monastery and Practical Information

The Ruen Monastery of St. John of Rila celebrates three annual monastery feasts: on July 1, August 18 and October 19. Details of individual church services may change. If you plan to visit for one of the feasts, check the specific arrangements in advance.

Above the monastery, in the forest, there is a small rock niche vaulted with a stone wall. Local people venerate it as the first hermit’s cave of St. John of Rila; it can be reached on foot in about ten minutes. Check the trail conditions before setting out.

A railway station on the Sofia–Kulata line is mentioned as a travel reference point: it is 3 km northeast of the municipal center. Check current passenger services before planning your journey around it. Boboshevo grapes, cherries and apples, for which the area is known, are also part of the local character.

Discover more destinations: Boboshevo, Dobrovo, Rila, Treklyano, Kyustendil, Kocherinovo

Return to the regional travel overview: Kyustendil Province.