Snowy Bozhentsi

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Bozhentsi is the name of one of the most well preserved traditional village in Bulgaria. It is an architectural and historical reserve since 1964 and is also part of UNESCO‘s cultural monuments. This year I was lucky to be in the area when a whole day of snowing was expected. I wouldn’t miss this chance to film this magnificent and quiet (especially in these pandemic times) village, so I prepared myself for a whole day of shooting and driving in the snow. It was a beautiful snowy day and I decided to film in the mountains first and to come back to Bozhentsi at dusk. I wanted to film the village covered in snow within the blue hour with the lights of street lanterns and house windows shining. When I returned to the village just before dark, the conditions were perfect – everything was covered with a fresh thick layer of snow, the lights were on and it was still quietly snowing. Nothing was moving on the streets except for some cats, that are so typical for Bulgarian villages. It was so magical and peaceful.

You can see these mesmerizing scenes here: https://youtu.be/ne7g_Os_8hM

The traditional architecture of an old Bulgarian house from this region is very well preserved in Bozhentsi.
This village is normally very popular with tourists, but these pandemic times made the streets very quiet.
An old cafe and cakes shop.
Time to go back home from a great day of shooting 🙂

Dolen village in the Rhodopi mountains, Bulgaria

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This is the village of Dolen, which means “lower”. It is situated in the western part of the Rhodope region and is an architectural reserve.

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Beglika dam on the way to Dolen.

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Heavy summer rain.IMGP4333

The green plants in the wheelbarrow are tobacco leaves, which are still a traditional means of livelihood in the Rhodope mountains.

IMGP4335 IMGP4338 IMGP4349 IMGP4353The entrance to a small old orthodox church.