Golo Burdo Mountain

Lately all the sunny and warm days have been happening during the work days, while the weekends are rainy and cold, isn't that a bummer :) But yesterday was an exception, a clear and warm Saturday and though husband had to work, our FB hiking group had planned an event, so off I went to Golo Burdo mountain. We had a phenomenal hike, 16 km from Radomir railway station through most of Golo Burdo, climbing four of its peaks, to Pernik railway station and back to Sofia by train.

:Radomir waterfall - a natural waterfall within a town park

:The fields above Radomir and the peaks we climbed ahead

:The summit of Golo Burdo - Vetrushka peak

:There were lots of purple crocuses all over the mountain

: Rila in the distance

: A flock of geese flew over

:A rare flower - anemone pulsatilla

:Pernik in the distance

: Adonis vernalis

:On the second peak - Kobila

:On the last and probably most steep peak to climb (forgot its name :)

:Down to Pernik and dusty air :(

Surva 2016, Pernik

After visiting Krakra fortress we went downtown for the core purpose of our travel to Pernik - Surva 2016: the 25th International Festival of Masquerade Games. The event was well attended, with thousands of people laughing, cheering and taking pictures of the participants in the games, lots of souvenir stands and fast food in the open operations. First we went to the central town square, where the groups of contestants in the masquerade games were presented and performed and then we walked along the main street to see the other participants in the festival, waiting for their turn in the games. According to the organizers' information this year the number of the performing groups was over 120 with more than 6500 participants, the biggest ever Surva. A few pictures, taken above the heads of the crowd to give you an idea of the spirit of the event:

Krakra Fortress, Pernik

Yesterday we drove to Pernik for the 25th International Festival of Masquerade Games. We arrived in the miners' town early in the morning and after taking a wrong turn and driving in circle for a couple of miles finally found the way to the medieval fortress, built on top of the rocky plateau above the town. The fortress was of major significance for the defense of Sofia (then Sredetz) from attacks by the Byzantine empire and during the march of the crusaders of the Third Crusade through these lands. The fortress was later destroyed and is now under excavation. The forecast promised a sunny day and temperatures up to 10C, but early in the morning the plateau was cold and covered in mist and we were the only visitors. It was so cool, to have the entire fortress to ourselves! The mist gave it a spooky, mysterious and somewhat fairy-tale feel.
I had read some negative comments on the way the fortress was reconstructed and was prepared for disappointment, but the place surpassed every expectation - it is abundant with information boards, there are platforms and a tower for views above the ground, broad visitors' paths, cleared from the snow, benches for rest. We loved it and are definitely coming back in the summer!