Lukovit – the new tourist destination
These are some of the reasons why you should choose the town of Lukovit and Diplomat Plaza Hotel & Resort:
- The hotel is located in an ecologically clean region, near the picturesque Iskar Gorge;
- The town and the region are known to be a high-energy zone;
- Geo-park “Iskar–Panega” – the FIRST GEO-PARK in Bulgaria is situated close to the hotel;
- Several natural phenomena could be seen here: the phenomenon “Ochite na Gospod” (the Eyes of God), Saeva Dupka Cave, Temnata Dupka Cave (the Dark Hole Cave), the Circus “Kotlen”, the wonderful canyon of Zlatna Panega River, the unique rock formations “Kuklite” (the Dolls) in the karst plateau of Karlukovo, “Provartenik” (the Pierced Rock).
- Many foreign and our most successful film productions about the Bulgarian history have been shot namely here. The film producers use the region as natural scenery with the picturesque nature and caves qualified as phenomena.
Few people know that some of the most emblematic historical Bulgarian firms have been shot here:
- Vreme Razdelno;
- Boris І;
- Putyat Nazad;
- Koziat rog;
- Conan;
- Vercingetorix
Magical experience for body and soul – the mission - possible in Lukovit
The eyes, to which the character from the film “Vreme Razdelno” – priest Aligarko prays like to a real God. The Eyes you have to see with your own eyes...
“Ochite na Gospod” (the Eyes of God), in Prohodna Cave, is one of the numerous phenomena in Lukovit region – the wonderful canyon of Zlatna Panega River, the Circus “Kotlen”, the Unique rock formations “Kuklite” (the Dolls) in the karst plateau of Karlukovo, the rock phenomenon “Provartenik” (the Pierced Rock), the rock-fall “Dayma” and the Lagoon with the circular marsh.
The only one in Bulgaria Geo-park “Iskar – Panega” encompasses the natural and historical landmarks in Lukovit region. The Geo-park is a perfect place for rest and recreation in nature. For the extreme sport lovers, there are excellent conditions for bungee jumping from the Northern entrance of Prohodna Cave, alpine skiing from the "eyes" of the cave, canoeing and rafting on Zlatna Panega River, mountain biking, paintball, off-road and cliff climbing.
The connoisseurs of the monuments of culture and history may visit the Church “Uspenie Bogorodichno” (1602), the only preserved till nowadays part of Karlukovo Monastery that dates back earlier than XV century. In 1799, being persecuted by the Kardzhalians and the watchmen haiduks, Bishop Sofronii Vrachanski /the Bishop of Vratsa/ has found asylum in Karlukovo Monastery – keeper of the Bulgarian spirit.
Very close to Karlukovo Monastery there are two rock-hewn churches – “St. Marina” Church and “St. Gregory” Church. The wall-paintings in “St. Marina” Church are partially preserved. They date back to ХІV century. About 5-6 km to the North-West of Karlukovo village is situated the rock-hewn church “St. Gregory”, where two layers of wall-paintings from ХІV and from ХVІІ century could be seen.
The cleanness and the authentic beauty of nature in the region of Lukovit are well preserved. The town is situated on the two banks of Zlatna Panega River, which takes its source from the karst spring “Glava Panega”, which actually is the largest karst spring in Bulgaria.
From ancient times the people believed that the waters of Zlatna Panega River are healing and many legends are told about its healing properties. The ancient stories relate that people from all four directions of the Earth have come to dip into the healing spring and to get a relief for their maladies. Out of gratitude they have built on the spring shore a temple in honor of Asclepius - the God of medicine and healing, and the river was named after his beautiful daughter – Panacea (also pronounced “Panaka” - the goddess of universal remedy). In the course of time the name of the river has changed to “Panega”.
It was in Lukovit where in 1953 is discovered the Thracian silver treasure, which dates back to the second half of IV century. It consists of works of plastic art, applications for horse-trappings and household vessels. Very often the works of plastic art and the applications depict animals: lion, gryphon, dog, stag, etc.
The power of the magical energy of Lukovit flows into every one, who had absorbed in that rich pallet of historical, cultural, and natural treasures of the country. You shall be spellbound and shall want to return again and again in Lukovit.