With more than 13,500 meters of passages, Orlova Chuka is Bulgaria’s second-longest cave after Duhlata. It lies 11 km east of Dve Mogili and 3 km north of Pepelina, in the rocky gorge of the Cherni Lom River. Its great extent and location in the gorge give this natural and cultural site a character of its own.
Orlova Chuka: Cave Landscape and Cultural Heritage
The wildlife is also part of this cave landscape: around 10,000 bats of various species live there, and all are protected. Their numbers may vary depending on the season. Since 1978, Orlova Chuka has been an archaeological monument of national cultural and historical significance. Rock-climbing and orienteering competitions are traditionally held in the cave area. This brings together a significant natural area, a designated monument, and recurring sporting events.
If you are planning to visit Orlova Chuka, check current visiting options in advance. Access and excavation conditions may change.
Shirokovo Kale: A Workshop from Early History
On the edge of the village of the same name, the archaeological site of Shirokovo Kale occupies a naturally protected rocky promontory at the confluence of the Baniski Lom and Cherni Lom rivers. Archaeological excavations uncovered a metallurgical workshop that operated from the late 6th to the early 7th century. The site remains the subject of archaeological research. A municipal report from 2023 records tourist visits and considerable interest in the excavations.
While Orlova Chuka stands out for its cave passages and protected bat population, Shirokovo Kale draws attention to a specific historical activity: metalworking. The two sites thus offer different perspectives on nature and history.
Monastery, Spring, and Forest Park
The St. Marina Monastery is near Karan Varbovka. Its church was built in 1890. The “Living Water” folklore festival is held each June in the monastery area; exact dates vary. If you are planning to attend the festival, check the date for the relevant year.
The Ajazmoto spring offers another facet of Karan Varbovka: its water is believed to have healing properties, and the spring attracts hundreds of tourists from all over Bulgaria each year. The Ajazmoto Forest Park, also in Karan Varbovka, covers 3,483 decares of wooded land. The spring and forest park represent different landscape themes: one is a place associated with healing and visited by people from across the country, while the other is an extensive wooded area.
Festivals and Places of Remembrance
The Harts gathering in Kacelovo is a family reunion of the Harts ethnographic group. It takes place in August on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God; the exact date varies. Filip Totyu is buried in the courtyard of a church in Dve Mogili. A recurring group gathering and a specific place of remembrance offer different starting points for cultural exploration.
The dates of the two festivals also mark different points in the year: the “Living Water” festival is held in June, and the Harts gathering in August. As the exact dates vary, it is worth checking the dates for the relevant year before planning a trip around either event.
Getting There and Finding Your Bearings
Dve Mogili is the administrative center and lies on the Ruse–Gorna Oryahovitsa railway line. This location provides a geographical reference for your journey; if you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel dates. The area’s different themes can help you choose your focus: cave landscapes, archaeological traces, monastic culture, and recurring festivals.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Pepelina, Dve Mogili and Mogilino. Also: Ivanovo, Borovo Municipality and Ruse.
Return to the regional travel overview: Ruse Province.
