Kaloyanovo: Tradition, History and Nature

The municipality of Kaloyanovo is in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv Province and covers 347.45 km². Its varied attractions include recurring Kukeri and village festivals, historic sites, horseback riding in Zhitnitsa, motorsport in Kaloyanovo, and a protected oak woodland in Begovo. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, the specific places and dates can help determine the focus of your plans.

Location and orientation

Zhitnitsa is 30 kilometers north of Plovdiv and five kilometers from the center of the municipality of Kaloyanovo. For your specific journey, take current route conditions into account. The distance figures help you place Zhitnitsa geographically without prescribing a particular route.

Traditions and festivals

Zhitnitsa celebrates three recurring local traditions: a carnival on the Sunday of Zagovezni, a traditional fair on the seventh Sunday after Easter, and a village festival on the third Saturday in September. These dates give the festivals a seasonal rhythm, but specific dates and programs may vary from year to year. Check local information before planning your trip around an event.

Otets Paisievo also holds an annual gathering with a Kukeri festival on Sirni Zagovezni, attended by groups from other parts of Bulgaria. The tradition features bells weighing more than 30 kilograms and distinctive headdresses over three meters tall. According to local accounts, the custom dates back to 1903 and is still maintained today. If this festival determines your travel dates, check the exact dates and participation details with local organizers in advance.

History and historic sites

Records show that in 1797 Zhitnitsa had a Catholic community of 54 houses and 341 Catholics. The Catholic Church of the Assumption of Mary was consecrated on September 16, 1923, and measures 40 by 18 meters. Zhitnitsa is also home to a Franciscan monastery and a cultural center. If you plan to visit these places, check access locally.

The archaeological context includes several settlements from different periods. The prehistoric settlements of Kamshikova Mogila and Cheradjiyska Mogila are located in the Kaloyanovo–Zhitnitsa–Duvanlii area. The area around Kaloyanovo is also home to the ancient Thracian settlement of Bendipara and the Roman settlement of Severius.

Horseback riding and motorsport

The Trakiec complex is in Zhitnitsa, within the municipality of Kaloyanovo. Its offerings include horseback riding and beginner lessons with qualified instructors in indoor and outdoor arenas. It caters to children, adults, tourists, and recreational riders. Check availability before your trip.

Drakon, a private car and motorcycle racing circuit, is located in Kaloyanovo. It is considered Bulgaria’s first and only private racing circuit of its kind. Events and access arrangements may change; check the details before you arrive.

Protected landscape

The protected site of Găstite Dubcheta in Begovo preserves a centuries-old oak forest and covers 384.244 decares. This natural attraction offers a different focus from the festival dates and historic sites: here, the priority is protecting an ancient forest.

Discover more destinations: Duvanlii, Zhitnitsa, Dalgo pole, Otets Paisievo, Maritza, Parvomay, Rhodopi Municipality, Rodopi.

For the broader travel overview: Plovdiv Province.