cathedral
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
22 km · about 25 min drive
Sofia, Bulgaria · Europe
Elin Pelin is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Gorna Malina, 50km from Iskar Gorge.
Elin Pelin is a town located in Sofia, Bulgaria. With a population of 7,373, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Elin Pelin sits in Bulgaria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Sofia time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Elin Pelin to your route.
Elin Pelin (Bulgarian: Елин Пелин [ɛˈlin pɛˈlin]), previously known as Novoseltsi (Новоселци), is a town in central western Bulgaria. It is the administrative centre of Elin Pelin Municipality, located in central Sofia Province. It lies in the Sofia Valley, with the slopes of the Balkan Mountains to the north andRead more
Sredna Gora to the south-southeast, 24 km southeast of the capital city of Sofia.
The number of Thracian, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts and ruins in the area proves that the surroundings of Elin Pelin have been inhabited since antiquity. A Slavic settlement was founded in the Middle Ages and existed until the early Ottoman rule of Bulgaria.
Elin Pelin (then Novoseltsi) began to emerge as a local cultural and trade centre during the Bulgarian National Revival. In 1881, after the Liberation of Bulgaria, it was proclaimed the administrative centre of a district. Novoseltsi continued to grow in importance after the construction of the Sofia–Saranbey (now Septemvri) railway line and the establishment of the Izida ceramic factory, the first in the country. A class school and a chitalishte were founded in the late 19th century. Novoseltsi was renamed Elin Pelin in honour of the noted writer of the same name (born in the nearby village of Bailovo) in 1950 and was proclaimed a town in 1960.
The area of Elin Pelin is one of the best preserved centres of the traditional ethnocultural subgroup of the Bulgarian people, the Shopi, including its characteristic vernacular, the white clothing and the characteristic dances, songs and humour. The Shop Holidays, a celebration of Shop culture and life, have been organized in the town since 1970.
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Elin Pelin offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Elin Pelin is located in Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe. The coordinates are 42.6667 latitude, 23.6000 longitude.
Elin Pelin has a population of approximately 7,373 people, making it a town in Bulgaria.
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Essential numbers in Bulgaria
Vignette required for all roads outside towns.
Full driving guide for Bulgaria5 notable places within an hour's drive.
cathedral
A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.
22 km · about 25 min drive
famous road
Bulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.
50 km · about 55 min drive
national park
Bulgaria's largest national park encompassing the highest peak in the Balkans (Musala, 2,925m) with alpine lakes, glacial valleys, and dense pine forests.
54 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.
56 km · about 65 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Short but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.
59 km · about 70 min drive
Other places to explore near Elin Pelin.
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