OKOLCHITSA - MOUNTAIN RECREATION CENTRE AND ACCOMMODATION, JANUARY - JUNE 2019

OKOLCHITSA

MOUNTAIN RECREATION CENTRE AND ACCOMMODATION

CONTEXT

1. Location

2. Site

3. Motives

RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

1. History of the place

2. Degrees of intervention in the natural surroundings and landscape

3. User groups

4. Annual events

5. Current state of existing facilities

6. Comments and opinions

7. The Balkan mountain range. Concept of spatial planning and development

8. Along the route of Botev’s detachment – from Kozloduy to Okolchitsa

9. Pilgrimage route St. Ivan Rilski - from Veliko Tarnovo to Rila Monastery

10. Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park

10.1. Borders, roads, towns and other localities

10.2. Protected nature areas, rocks, caves, mines

10.3. Water resources

10.4. Tourist trails and thematic routes

10.5. Shelters

10.6. Churches and monasteries

10.7. Management plan – zones

10.8. Management plan – urbanized areas

10.9. Management plan – restrictions and recommendations

CONCEPT

1. The locality

1.1. Current state

1.2. Project

2. The Hut Okolchitsa

2.1. Functional structure

2.1.1. Development of the functional model of the hut (hypothesis)

2.1.2. Research on building typologies

2.1.3. Functional groups

2.1.4. Levels of access and ways of functioning

3. Volumes and spatial composition

PROJECT

1. Site

2. Ground floor +-0.00

3. First floor (accommodation type 1) +1.40, +2.70, +3.00, +4.20, +4.45

4. Second floor (accommodation type 2) +4.40, +5.70, +6.00, +7.20, +7.45

5. Roof

6. East elevation

7. Section A-A

8. Detailed fragment of the accommodation unit

9. Perspective views

10. Sources

CONTEXT

Okolchitsa peak (1048 m) is located in the the Balkan Range, about 20 km from the city of Vratsa, near the village of Chelopek.

A monument stands at the top, honoring the feat of the poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev and his detachment, who died in 1876 in context of the April Uprising for liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Dominion.

The place was chosen as the most accessible and closest to the place of the last battle of the detachment. There are numerous information signs in the park, describing the historic events of 1876. The actual place of Botev’s death is not far from there, on the Kamarata peak over the Yolkovitsa hollow.

Hut Okolchitsa, about 300 m east from the peak, is a complex of five prefabricated bungalows which once were able to give shelter to 84 guests as total. The whole complex was abandoned. Many of the structures are still standing today, and can be visited despite their poor -condi tion.

This is the end point of the national hiking expedition along the route of Botev’s detachment. It has taken place every year since 1946. People from across the country – enthusiasts, pupils, students and teachers – cover the 120 km path that Botev took from the Danube town of Kozloduy to the summit of Okolchitsa.

The Okolchitsa peak is a favorite place for hang-gliders from the country and abroad and a preferred place for relaxation during the weekends.

CONTEXT

CONTEXT 1. LOCATION

Beli izvor

Vratsa

Stoyanovo

Dolno Orizovo

Dolna Bela rechka

Gorna Bela rechka

Gorno Orizovo Lyutadzik

Vratsa

Okolchitsa

Druzhevo

Milanovo

Svrazhen Rakovo

Gara Lakatnik

Opletnya

Ochin dol Eliseyna

CONTEXT 2. SITE

place of Botev’s death

monument

Hut Okolchitsa

CONTEXT 3. MOTIVES

The place is full of life and activities

Research and analyses show that new activities are taking place on the site - rest on weekends, music festivals, practising paragliding and hang gliding. It is recognized by a wide range of users - local communities, pilgrims, tourists and travelers, athletes.

The place is quite problematic and contradictory There is a tangible contradiction between the historical and natural context and the poor condition of the material infrastructure.

The site is part of a larger network part of the national hiking expedition Along the route of Botev’s detachment; part of the pilgrimage route St. Ivan Rilski from Veliko Tarnovo to Rila Monastery; part of a system of urban areas in the territory of the Vrachanski Balkan Nature ParkAs such the site has the potential to activate a whole system of sites

RESEARCH AND ANALYSES

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 1. HISTORY OF THE PLACE

marking the place of Botev’s death and selecting a place for the monument

first official commemoration

raising a cross made of steel raising the monumenta cross made of reinforced concrete

declaration of the route as a cultural heritage

planning and building of the Okolchitsa Hut complex

abandonment and plundering of the Hut - it becomes property of the Local Administration of Vratsa

afforestation of the monument area

first information on hang-gliding and paragliding practice

restoring the original monument restoring the original monument

transformation of the monument into a five-pointed star

the route of Botev’s detachment from Kozloguy to Okolchitsa

first celebration of Vola Open Air Festival

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 2. DEGREES OF INTERVENTION IN THE NATURAL SURROUNDINGS AND LANDSCAPE

natural vegetation and afforestation

beaten tracksidetracks and pahs

temporary structureshang-gliding ramps

pavement asphalt road object

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 3. USER GROUPS

SCIENCE AND EDUCATION

REST AND RECREATION

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 4. ANNUAL EVENTS

6. COMMENTS AND OPINIONS

Since 2005 the Hut is property of the Local Administration of Vratsa. Thefts have en place before, but in 2012, the vandals completely destroyed it. "The doors were broken, the windows and all of the installations, the beds were all taken, most of the roof structures are demolished, the view is very unpleasant at the moment" explained the chief expert at the Local Administration Sylvia Pelova.

Dozens of foreigners practising hang gliding and paragliding are also disappointed, because they have nowhere to stay. The biggest shame is on the local community of the nearest village Chelopek, because some of the thieves are local.

Young people were coming back from Okolchitsa, I stopped them and I asked them to tell me what they saw at Vola –“It’s all ruined" said Pavel Grigorov of Chelopek village.

The case against the five perpetrators is scheduled for December 17 in the District Court, the damage is estimated at BGN 2,000, but the restoration of the complex will cost tens of thousands. One option is to apply for finance with a project, the other is to rent it out. An urgent solution is needed in order to stop the devastation of one of the hundred national tourist sites.

source: BTV News

Cornelia Popova attended one of the summer school camps when she was in third ade. "We stayed at comfortable rooms with luxury beds that many people couldn't afford in their own homes, toilets, baths, there was a great restaurant."

Now everything is destroyed.

“There aren’t a lot of places in the world where you have a decent accommodation and a restaurant in close proximity to the take off area (hang gliding ramps), it's just like a eam. It’s a pitty to see it in that horrible state, it can become a wonderful center for hang gliding and paragliding” says Nikolay Yotov, an instructor.

Hang glider pilots from Russia wanted to stay for the night on top of Okolchitsa and they were disappointed, realizing they couldn't."The complex is nice, unfortunately it doesn’t work. We would be happy next time to find a beautiful and comfortable place to stay. ” shared Valery Arhipov.

source: BTV News

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 7. THE BALKAN MOUNTAIN RANGE.

CONCEPT OF SPATIAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

MODELS OF LAND USE BASED ON THE SPECIFIC CHARACTER OF A MOUNTAIN RANGE

STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE BALKAN MOUNTAIN RANGE

transversal - parallel model radial model nerwork model

Western Balkan Mountains

Central Balkan Mountains

conclusions:

- Transversal crossing of mountain ranges can cause significant damage to the mountain balance

-The settlements are formed on the periphery, leaving large modules of free untouched areas between them

Central Balkan mountainstransversal - parallel model

Osogovo

Vitosha

Sredna gora Rila

Balkan mountain rangetransversal - parallel model

-The great length of the Balkan mountain range demands crossings at a certain distance, in order to connect North and South Bulgaria / passes of general and national importance /. These crossings should not be very frequent (it can cause significant damage to the mountain balance), leaving large modules of free untouched areas between them (15/20/30 - 40 km)

AREA A nature area under protectionnature reserve and protected natural sites AREA B modules of free non-urbanised areasagricultural and forest area, rest and recreation areas AREA C - tourist sitestowns and localities

Pirin

Rila-Rhodope massifnerwork model

source: Mountain resorts, Petko Evrev, 1987

BULGARIA - MOUNTAIN PASSES

mountain passes:

1. Petrohan

2. Vladaya

3. Klisura

4. Troyan Karnare

5. Rozhen

6. Shipka

7. Pass of the Republic

8. Kotel

9. Dyulinski

10. Rish

11. Aytos

13. Pomoriyski

15. Tvardishki

16. Vratnik

17. Vitinya

road sections:

12. Karnobat Vetren

14. Kaspichan Varna

main road sections bypasses

source: Road Insfrastructure Agency

VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

conclusions:

- Similar principles(above - mentioned) could be found at a micro level. Within the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park, such zoning is observed. The site of Okolchitsa falls into the peripheral urbanized territories, suitable for the development of recreation and tourism, without endangering the integrity and balance of the existing structures.

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 8. ALONG THE ROUTE OF BOTEV’S DETACHMENT -

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 9. PILIGRIMAGE ROUTE ST. IVAN RILSKI -

FROM KOZLODUY TO OKOLCHITSA FROM VELIKO TARNOVO TO RILA MONASTERY

Okolchitsa

Kozloduy

Rila monastery

Veliko Tarnovo

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.1. BORDERS, ROADS, TOWNS AND OTHER LOCALITIES

Beli izvor

Stoyanovo

Dolno Orizovo

Gorno Orizovo

Nefela

Kostalevo

Vratsa

Dolna Bela rechka

Lyutadzik

Gorna Bela rechka

Zgorigrad

Druzhevo

Milanovo

Rakovo

Svrazhen

Gara Lakatnik

Opletnya

Okolchitsa

Pavolche

Ochin dol Eliseyna

Zverino

Chelopek

Lyutibrod

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.2. PROTECTED NATURE AREAS, ROCKS, CAVES, MINES

Beli izvor

Stoyanovo

Dolno Orizovo

Gorno Orizovo

Nefela

Kostalevo

Vratsa

Dolna Bela rechka

Lyutadzik

Gorna Bela rechka

Borov kamak Protected Area

Druzhevo

Milanovo

Rakovo

Svrazhen

Gara Lakatnik

Opletnya

Ochin dol Eliseyna

Vratsa Karst Nature Reserve

Zgorigrad

Okolchitsa

Pavolche

Chelopek

Vezhdata Protected Area reserves and protected areas rocks caves mines

Zverino

Lyutibrod

Karst zones:

G - Gladna

LE - Ludoto ezero

B - Bistrets

Mt - Matnitsa

S - Stoyanovo

BI - Beli izvor

Z - Zgorigrad

P - Pavolche

Chsh - Cherepish

Md - Medna

Chr - Cherna

BR - Byala Rechka

springs:

1. Ludiyat bigor

2. Gal.680

3. Tsonovoto

4. Ludoto ezero

5. Bistrets

6. Chigoril

7. Spring St. Ivan Rilski monastery

8. Spring of the Residencе

9. Beli izvor

10. Spring St. Ivan Pusti monastery

11. Bigora

12. Vayevete

13. Ezeroto

14. Krushovitsa

15. Spring Cherepish station

16. Lyutibrod

17. Medna

18. Dudil

19. Cherniyat izvor

20. Rakyov kladenets

21. Spring The house

22. Spring Gorna Bela rechka

23. Zhitolyub

24. Petar

Gornoyursko - dolnokreden karst aquifer

Triarski karst aquifer border between karst basins border between karst zones

Medkovsko ripalo Skaklya

CHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

TOURIST TRAILS

Vratsa eco trail “Borov kamak” – 3 h

Vratsa – Locumcheto locality – Zambina mogila locality – Patshevitsa hut – 4 h

Vratsa – Skaklya waterfall – Patleyna locality –Izbata locality – Peak Okolchitsa – 3 h

Vratsa – Medkovets quarter– Jenskata locality – Peak Okolchitsa – 3 h

Botev’s route: Vratsa – Yolkovitsa locality – Peak Okolchitsa – 3 h

Peak Okolchitsa – Pogledets locality – Rashov dol locality – Lutibrod village – 3 h

Parshevitsa hut – Borov kamak locality – Tsarevo livage locality – Peak Okolchitsa – 4,5 h

Ochin dol village – Parshevitsa hut – 4 h

Lakatnik railway station – Milanovo village – Parshevitsa hut – 5 h

Zverino village – Peak Yavorets – Peak Okolchitsa – 4 h

THEMATIC ROUTES

Historical trail In the footsteps of Botev– 1 h

Historical trail Ancient and medieval Vratsa – 1 h

Thematic rail Vratsa – Cave Ledenika – 3 h

Thematic trail Karst and biodiversity– 1,5 h

Thematic trail Mountaineering for beginners – 2 h

Thematic trail Cave Ledenika – Gorno Orizovo village – 5 h

Thematic trail Griffon vulture In Vrachanski Balkan National Park – 2 h

Thematic trail Griffon vulture In Vrachanski Balkan National Park – 2 hours

Sport-tourist trail “Forest trail of health” – 50 min

Tourist and bike trail Svrazhen – Staro selo – 1,5 h

Thematic trail „Voyvodin dol – Skaklya waterfall“ – 4 h

Thematic trail Eco trail “Belite skali” (The white rocks) – 1 h

Thematic trail “Forest world” – 1 h

Location for camping and picnic - Career locality - near Zgorigrad

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.5. SHELTERS

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.6. CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES

Beli izvor

Stoyanovo

Dolno Orizovo

Gorno Orizovo

Nefela

Kostalevo

Vratsa

Dolna Bela rechka

Lyutadzik

Gorna Bela rechka

Zgorigrad

Druzhevo

Milanovo

Opletnya

Okolchitsa

Pavolche

Ochin dol

Rakovo

Svrazhen

Zverino

Chelopek

Lyutibrod

Gara Lakatnik

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.7. MANAGEMENT PLAN - ZONES

Druzhevo

ZONES - zone with a status of natural

I. Nature reserve

II. Protection of biodiversity, landscapes and cultural heritage -zone with a status of natural sites and protected areas -zone of major importance for wild flora and fauna

III. Water catchment areas -protection buffer areas around water catchment facilities

IV Technical and biological recultivation

-damages areas by the mining industry

V. Tourism

VI. Buildings and facilities (urbanized areas for recreation and tourism)

VI. Buildings and facilities (urbanized

VII. Sustainable use of renewable resources

-forest areas

VIII. Recommended alterations in the

-agricultural areas

VIII. Recommended alterations in the limits of the park

Vratsa Okolchitsa

Nefela

Beli izvor Stoyanovo

Dolno Orizovo Gorno Orizovo Lyutadzik

Gorna Bela rechka

Dolna Bela rechka

Milanovo

Gara Lakatnik

Svrazhen

Rakovo

Opletnya Ochin dol Eliseyna

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK

10.8. MANAGEMENT PLAN - URBANIZED

AREAS

URBANIZED AREAS FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM - 305,3 HA (1,06% OF THE PARK)

RESEARCH AND ANALISES 10. VRACHANSKI BALKAN NATURE PARK 10.9. MANAGEMENT PLAN - RESTRICTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

the natural environment and the legislation in

1. New building structures – low-rise buildings up to 3 floors and up to 10 m height (according to Territorial Development Act)

2. Replacement of semi-massive buildings and all kind of structures in a bad state for the needs of recreation and tourism with appropriate sustainable structures;

3. Adaptation of existing infrastructure and buildings for the use of disabled people;

4. The architecture of the reconstructed and /or new buildings, as well as the treatment of their surroundings, should take into consideration

1 2 3 4 5 6

parking area

monument Okolchitsa

outdoor stage

7

8

tent camping training camp - hang gliding and paragliding take-off area - hang gliding and paragliding Hut Okolchitsa service and technical infrastructure area in use (currently) not in use (currently)

CONCEPT 1. THE LOCALITY 1.2. PROJECT

ЗА ФУНКЦИОНА ЛНО ЗОНИРАНЕ НА ЗОНАТА

зона паркинг

зона „паметник Околчица“

зона сцена на открито

зона палатки

учебна зона за делта- и парапланеризъм

зона излитане делта- и парапланеризъм

зона „хижа Околчица“

зона техническа инфраструктура

Okolchitsa

parking area

stage tent camping training area - hang gliding and paragliding take-off area - hang gliding and paragliding Hut Okolchitsa service and technical infrastructure area

2.1.1. DEVELOPMENT OF THE FUNCTIONAL MODEL OF THE HUT

How it used to work? (hypothesis) closed model

What appears lately? process of self-organisation

What’s next? in search of a new working model

monofunctional model

зона паркинг

„паметник Околчица“

зона палатки

учебна зона за делта- и парапланеризъм

излитане делта- и парапланеризъм

„хижа Околчица“

техническа инфраструктура

складиране на оборудване

площадки

зона паметник

polyfunctional model

CONCEPT 2. THE HUT OKOLCHITSA 2.1. FUNTIONAL STRUCTURE

2.1.2. RESEARCH ON BUILDING TYPOLOGIES, BULGARIA

Holiday village “Rusalka”, 1980

Music school, Shiroka Laka

CONCEPT 2. THE HUT OKOLCHITSA 2.1. FUNCTINAL STRUCTURE

2.1.2. RESEARCH OF BUILDING TYPOLOGIES, SPAIN

Salburua Nature Interpretation Centre / QVE Arquitectos, Basque

CONCEPT 2. THE HUT OKOLCHITSA 2.1. FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE

2.1.2. RESEARCH ON BUILDING TYPOLOGIES, NEW ZEALAND

The Routeburn Track, New Zealand

dining room + kitchen, eation areas

TION

SHARED AREAS

spaces for events, projections, exhibitions, co-working spaces, library

SPECIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE

ramps for hang gliding and paragliding - 3 pcs.

stage structure viewpoint

CONCEPT 2. THE HUT OKOLCHITSA

2.1.4. LEVELS OF ACCESS AND WAYS OF FUNCTIONING

SHELTER seatings outdoor fireplace medicine chest water toilet

VIEWPOINT (observation deck)

GREEN ROOF (viewpoint tribune)

CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVALS

PAVILION

(option to rent it as a cafe or еquipment shop)

STORAGE

(mobile stages, chairs, music equipment, sport equipment)

ACCOMMODATION

(sleeping unit type 1 sleeping unit type 2)

*maintenance staff before and after accommodation is needed

GROUP VISITS

KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM

(in case of food delivery, staff is needed visitors can use the kitchen themselves without service staff)

MULTIFUNCTIONAL HALL

groups of hang gliding and paragliding pilots

seminars and team buildings for companies and non-governmental organizations green schools

friends and families

CONCEPT 2. THE HUT OKOLCHITSA 3. VOLUMES AND SPATIAL COMPOSITION

PROJECT

CONCEPT 6. EAST ELEVATION

CONCEPT 7. SECTION A - A

CONCEPT 8. DETAILED FRAGMENT OF THE ACCOMMODATION UNIT

CONCEPT 8. DETAILED FRAGMENT OF THE ACCOMMODATION UNIT

PROJECT 9. PERSPECTIVE VIEWS

PROJECT 9. PERSPECTIVE VIEWS

CONCEPT 10. SOURCES

Vrachanski Balkan Nature park

Mountain resorts, Petko Evrev

Agency of geodesy, cartography and cadastre

Agency of roads’ infrastructure

Wikipedia

tourism-bg.net

forum.deltaclub.bg

tramping.net.nz/huts-routeburn-greenstone-caples/ mantinela.blogspot.com

kartanavremeto-vratsa.org/story/654/32

Concept of the development of the paragliding and hang gliding practise - Vitosha Nature park