European and Bulgarian experts are exploring the benefits of investing in the cultural and historical heritage of Pravets and Botevgrad.

Experts from the European Commission and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works familiarized themselves with projects implemented under the Interreg - IPA Bulgaria - Serbia Program in Pravets and Botevgrad. The purpose of the visit was to assess the benefits of the investments made for the preservation and promotion of Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage and the development of tourism in small settlements and border regions.

At the Historical Museum - Pravets, Director Tatyana Borisova-Dinova presented the museum's exhibition, the richness of the region, and future development plans. The museum has established itself among the experienced beneficiaries of the cross-border program, as in recent years it has implemented a series of projects aimed at researching, preserving and exhibiting a number of historical sites in the municipality of Pravets, including the ancient fortress of Borovets, the Old Class School and the Tunyakovo Han in the village of Vidrare, the Church of the Holy Mother of God in the village of Osikovitsa, and others.

The experts also visited sites in the village of Vidrare. With funds from the program, the old class school, built in 1848 in the yard of the Church of St. Paraskeva, has been restored. The interior has been carefully restored to preserve its authenticity, and a permanent exhibition has been created that highlights the educational heritage of the region. The Tunyakovo Han, built in 1820, has also been restored and adapted for tourist visits, and an exhibition dedicated to 19th-century travel and trade has been arranged there.

The highest clock tower in Bulgaria, located in Botevgrad, was also part of the experts' program. Under the project "Botevgrad - Digital Cultural Corridor", financed by the Program, restoration work has been carried out, safety equipment, an information kiosk and artistic lighting have been installed. In addition, an open-air museum has been created in the city center, where the municipality publishes images and information about notable historical figures and events on special panels. An information center with digital devices and a telepresence hall, where modern tourist services are provided, has also been created.

The experts gave a high assessment of the implemented projects and were impressed by their contribution to the development of the two Bulgarian cities and the potential for future tourism development based on the rich cultural and historical heritage.