Cherven Bryag Municipality | Pleven Province | Bulgaria

Geography of Cherven Bryag Municipality

Berkovitsa Municipality covers an area of 464 sq km. It is the southernmost municipality of Montana Province. It lies on the northern slopes of the western Balkan mountains, with hilly terrain broken up by streams flowing through its territory. The area is rich in wildlife and vegetation, with blueberries and raspberries filling the stomachs of many a wanderer during long summer afternoons.

There are 20 villages and towns in the municipality with a total population of about 18,000 people. Almost 75% of the population, over 13,000 people, reside in the town of Berkovitsa. Barziya, population 1400, and Zamfirovo, population 1200, are the only other villages of any size. None of the rest rises above 300 souls. They include Balyuvitsa, Bistrilitsa, Bokilovtsi, Borovtsi, Chereshovitsa, Gaganitsa, Komarevo, Kostentsi, Kotenovtsi, Leskovets, Mezdreya, Parlichevo, Pesochnitsa, Rashovitsa, Slatina, Tsvetkova Bara, and Yagodovo.

Economy of Cherven Bryag Municipality

Industry
The main production activity of the enterprises located on the territory of the municipality is in the field of military industry, machine building, knitwear industry and food industry. Although the structure of the industry, with the exception of the wood processing sector, has been preserved, the general economic crisis in the country in recent years has adversely affected the state of the industry: incomplete and insufficient use of production facilities, limited production facilities, outdated equipment, and technologies, insufficient investment opportunities, ineffective post-privatization control, insufficient availability of markets, underdeveloped and maintained infrastructure and others. The municipality’s strategy for the future development of the industry envisages solving these and other problems. A positive element in this development is the inflow of foreign capital into a number of companies (Austrian, Italian, German, French, Greek).

Agriculture and forestry
Natural and climatic conditions have a positive impact on the development of agriculture and forestry. The municipality has 485 785 ha of agricultural land, of which 259 460 ha of arable land, 16 567 ha of permanent crops and 66 948 ha of forest fund. The agricultural land is cultivated by 12 agricultural cooperatives, 3 private associations, 18 tenants and by private farmers. Crop production is the top priority, with the largest share of cereals. In addition, they cultivate technical and fodder crops and permanent crops. Vegetable production is well developed, which mainly satisfies the personal needs of farmers. Livestock breeding (cattle breeding, pig breeding, poultry farming) is also well developed.

The problems in the agriculture and forestry of the municipality are mainly related to outdated equipment, the low agricultural culture of the population, lack of investment, insufficient markets and more. In the municipality’s strategy, the future development of agriculture is related to the need to provide municipal land for the construction of family farms and joint ventures with the participation of investors, landless and underprivileged land, granting loans, creating new permanent crops, creating vegetable gardens. gardens for commodity production, raising the qualification of farmers, creating a real land market, etc.

Tourism in Cherven Bryag Municipality

Such wonderful nature here! What beauty in this unknown little paradise.

Berkovitsa town is a good starting point for excursions into the mountains and valleys of the municipality. There are over a dozen different marked trails leading to places of interest in the area. Some of the more popular destinations are:

• Kom Peak At 2016 m (6614 ft), the highest point in the region. 90 minute walk from Kom Hut. Panoramic views from the starting point of the Kom to Emine trek (European E-3 long distance trail.)
• Zdravchenitsa Peak Hike up to the summit at 1176 m (3858 ft). Trails from Berkovitsa town and Chereshovitsa.
• Haiydushki Waterfalls Hike beside streams and cascades to reach the waterfalls.
• Klisura Monastery A working monastery founded in the 13th century.
• Siniya Vir The Blue Pool. A favorite local spot for trout fishing.
• Ashiklar Mountain meadows for walking and picnics. Close to Berkovitsa town.
• Kaleto Nature Park For outdoor excursions. Roman fortress ruins found on the hill.

Museums in Cherven Bryag Municipality

Berkovitsa Ethnographic Museum

Ivan Vazov House Museum

Klisurski Monastery Museum

Famous People from Cherven Bryag Municipality

Lyuben Dilov Author

Niki Kanchev TV Presenter

Margarita Lilova Opera Singer