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Writer's pictureStefan Ivanov

The new kemer

Updated: Feb 21, 2023

In the middle of the picturesque Medet pass through the forests of Sachtinska Sredna Gora, you will find this ancient stone bridge, which I am excited to present to you today.


The new kemer in the Medet pass
The new kemer in the Medet pass

In summer and autumn, the New kemer is immersed in the dense foliage of the young beech forest.


The new kemer in the Medet pass
Somewhere out there... among the beeches... and the leafs...

How do you get here?

Traveling along the Zlatitsa - Panagyurski kolonii - Panagyurishte road, which winds through the enchantingly beautiful Medet pass in every season, just after the bridge over Topolnitsa river turn left, where there is a large parking space by the road.



The new kemer is a very beautiful, remarkable and impressive bridge!

It connects the two banks of the Topolnitsa River.


The new kemer in the Medet pass
The great arc of the new kemer

A faded old archival photograph from 1939 shows a bus passing along it, traveling on the Panagyurishte - Zlatitsa - Sofia line.


An old Roman road, used in antiquity and later in the Middle Ages, used to wind through here. Therefore, if you climb up from the north side of the bridge, you will also find ancient remains of small defensive fortresses - sentinels that guarded these slopes thousands of years ago.


This old double-arched bridge has had many names over the centuries - Eski Kyupru, Bulin Bridge, Kadenin Bridge, as well as the New kemer.


One of the legends tells about its name, that it was built at the behest of a rich Zlatishka kadan, hence the Kadanin bridge.

Another tells of an old gold hoard found under the central and larger arch of the bridge, about twelve meters wide.


I tried to go through it too.


The new kemer in the Medet pass
The new kemer in the Medet pass

After the construction of the mining enterprises in the area in the middle of the last century, the old bridge was sent to a well-deserved rest, and a new, modern and wider bridge was built parallel to it, which is in use today.


The new kemer and the new bridge in the Medet pass
The new kemer and the new bridge

What can be seen nearby?

8 kilometers from the new kemer (about 11 minutes by car) is the town of Zlatitsa, where you can visit some interesting sights.

In the center of the town of Zlatica is the old clock tower.


The old clock tower in the town of Zlatitsa
The old clock tower in the town of Zlatitsa

From the old clock tower, head towards the northeastern part of Zlatitsa, north of the railway line, where Stara Planina Street is located. Taking it, you will soon find yourself outside the northern outskirts in the foothills of the Balkans, where humming will tell you that you are approaching Zlatiski Waterfall.


Zlatitsa falls
Zlatitsa falls

In the immediate vicinity of the waterfall itself are the stairs that will take you to the chapel of St. St. Cyric and Iulita. The place offers an extremely beautiful view of the entire Zlatitsa-Pirdop valley.


the chapel of St. St. Cyric and Iulita above Zlatitsa
the chapel of St. St. Cyric and Iulita above Zlatitsa

If you continue to the left past the waterfall, you will find yourself at the Ascension Monastery and Spasovo spring.


The Ascension Monastery near Zlatitsa
The Ascension Monastery near Zlatitsa

Don't miss to see the wonderful "Grandpa's mitten" park.


"Grandpa's mitten" park in Zlatitsa
"Grandpa's mitten" park in Zlatitsa

16 kilometers from the new kemer (20 minutes by car) are the majestic ruins of the Ѐlenska Basilica, which you should not miss visiting.


The ruins of Elenska Basilica near the town of Pirdop
The ruins of Elenska Basilica near the town of Pirdop

Near the ruins of the Elenska Basilica, as a memory of the destroyed Bulgarian monastery, in 2010 a chapel "St. Elijah".


Chapel "St. Ilia", located near the ruins of Elenska Basilica
Chapel "St. Ilia", located near the ruins of Elenska Basilica

19 kilometers from new kemer (about 20 minutes by car) is the beautiful Central Forest gem Dushantsi. In the center of the village stands a proud and dignified centennial sequoia, which awaits you.


People's community center "Svetlina" in the village of Dushantsi
People's community center "Svetlina" in the village of Dushantsi

Let your walk also take you to the beautiful church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius".


Church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" in the village of Dushantsi
Church "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" in the village of Dushantsi

Dušanci is a delightful place in every season! Proof of this are the magnificent photo moments with the wonderful Christmas decorations, bringing so much delight to our senses!


Christmas and New Year decoration in the center of Dushantsi village
Christmas and New Year decoration in the center of Dushantsi village

At the end of the village, be sure to turn left, where an authentic Roman Kufarita bridge awaits you.


Authentic Roman bridge Kufarita near the village of Dushantsi
Authentic Roman bridge Kufarita near the village of Dushantsi

Continuing after the Kufarita bridge, the road will take you to the "St. George" chapel above Dushantsi, from where you will enjoy a wonderful view of the entire Zlatishko-Pirdop valley.


Chapel "St. George" above the village of Dushantsi
Chapel "St. George" above the village of Dushantsi

The road after the village will take you to the "Dushantsi" dam - magnificent in every season - in autumn, in winter and on the border between spring and summer. Enjoy it!


Dushantsi dam
Dushantsi dam

15 kilometers from New Kemer (about 20 minutes by car) you will find the village of Panagyurski kolonii.

In the village of Panagyurski Colonies, you must visit the beautiful lake, in which amazingly beautiful water lilies bloom.


Водна лилия в езерото на село Панагюрски колонии
Водна лилия в езерото на село Панагюрски колонии

Ако продължите по пътя за Панагюрище, не пропускайте да се насладите на изящните му музикални фонтани.


Фонтаните пред зала "Арена Асарел" в град Панагюрище
Фонтаните пред зала "Арена Асарел" в град Панагюрище

Съвсем близо до Новият Кемер по същия път се оглеждайте за отворено изумрудено око.


А сега ви пожелавам приятна разходка!



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