TRAVELING BULGARIA | A Journey Through Mountains

[@sergiosala]

Yo Gabriel! It was nice to the Velyan House tour together. Hope to see you around in other places again :)

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

You too man, very cool to meet you. Hasta luego amigo. 👍✌

[@emilye126]

The monastery was incredible, those paintings...the monk walking around, the bell, the misty weather.. what an experience...that would be worth the trip to see..

[@0xe849]

I have been in the Rila Monastery around 9-10 times and the weather was always like this and yeah it is kinda mystical.

[@NomadShifu]

Bulgaria is worldwide famous for its folklore and opera singers and musicians and it is especially proud of its rich folklore traditions. Folk music and dances, national costumes and traditional rituals have an important place in the life of the Bulgarians.

[@helenwilliamson7099]

🇧🇬 Bulgaria is Beautiful 😍

[@LuizAlleman]

These videos make me add Bulgaria to my favorite eastern European countries.

[@Eissara]

At the end of the video, they announced Mass by tapping on a metal. Christians during Ottoman occupation in the Middle East, Greece, Bulgaria ... were forbidden to toll church bells so monks used to tap either on a piece of wood or a piece of metal to announce gatherind for prayers and Mass.

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Wow Gabe what a beautiful old town Bansko has!!! You said it; something out of the 17-18th century. Almost medieval even! The people also seem very well spoken in English which is surprising and the prices are fantastic! The house you toured with the other KZbinr was breathtaking btw! Unreal!

[@jacksondrake-lost]

Bulgaria is beautiful great work again you are showing all the uniqueness in depth this place is amazing. This place is on the list... affordable and peaceful.

[@maestromuffin1]

loved Rila Monestery! visited in 1988 and again in 2019! Bulgaria is such a lovely country!

[@loretoparas566]

Rila monastery is absolutely gorgeous and amazing...

[@Steve-318]

Love the old world charm of the taverns.

[@Eissara]

The statue with the book is that of Saint John of Rila, the Patron Saint of the town . Guests can book an overnight stay at the Rila Monastery and they are allowed to view the other levels of the Monastery.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I see, thanks for the info.

[@dee74raz]

Very impressed with the Rila Monastery especially the artwork. Wow that is a must to see this directly in front of your eyes !!

[@vesnanuspahic7510]

in the Balkans you have over hundred beautiful and old monastiries with old and original freskos or artwork that will take your breath away,only a little is known about them ,which is sad.

[@NADOYAGANDA]

Its incredibly beautiful. I've never imagined there was a amazing monastery in Bulgaria.

[@ChrisKermis]

Ah this takes me back! Loved Bulgaria last summer

[@marvinsalamero9111]

Wowww what incredible places and Church and monastery there in bulagaria full of historical Orthodox, christian Religion, thanks for your wonderful walk around tour sir Gabe Godbless from the Philippines 🇵🇭 sir Marvin ♥️🙏🙏🙂👏👏😍👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@xavdanda]

The statue is of St John of Rila, perhaps THE most influential Bulgarian of all times, certainly the most venerated. His story is very similar to that of St Francis of Asisi, and he founded the Rila Monastery, which later was moved to its current location to accommodate for all his followers, monks visiting families, etc. St John of Rila is venerated not only in Bulgaria, but in the neighboring countries as well.

[@deepakbhana8937]

Gabriel, what I like about your travels where ever you may be is it is wholesome and good family entertainment. Planning on visiting the Greek islands in the near future. The goal is to convince my group to include a side trip to Bansko. Enjoy the rest of your journey and be safe. Best wishes from Deepak-Toronto Canada.

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

Those frescos at the monastery are absolutely amazing! To think that those were painted by someone’s hands so many years ago is just unbelievable. Looking at some of them a little closer many seemed to be representing the fight between good and evil as the saints were confronting those goblin looking demonic creatures, very creepy!

[@dalia_mar]

Yes Nick, you are right: at the bottom side of the external walls there were scenes from the Heal, as people used to imagine it in 18-19th century. The monastery has grown from 12th century to how it looks now with additional buildings.There were few fires and attacks on it as well.The bottom images represent monsters swallowing "haiduts" - Old word for "sinners/messy people".😊I normally would spend one-two hours to walk and investigate all walls and corners there, all have been painted with various scenes from the bible.

[@xavdanda]

@@dalia_mar You're absolutely right... The scenes outside the chapel at the bottom with the devils and souls depict some of the most common sins we human beings commit and secure us a place in hell. There are all the different Bible scenes but there are also many of St Ivan Rilski (St. John of Rila) and his death... it seems the chapel was closed that day, its interior is fantastic, specially the altar, unfortunately taking pictures or video is not allowed, nor entering with shorts... the back of the monastery which Gabriel shows briefly is also beautiful, and very strategic... the walls in front are very high purposedly for defensive reasons, protecting the monks inside when the monastery was attacked but they also safeguarded their stream of fresh potable water in the back, protecting it from being poisoned. I would've loved to see the original monastery in Gabriel's video, next to the cave where St John lived and the Sacred place where he died. I was very impressed to see the devotion of those who go there.

[@PepinoDJ]

B/w good and evil is sound Creepy , this is the way back den to expose visible ,but this is the reality b4 is reality today ….. thing about it 💪👽🇧🇬❤️☦️

[@cristovaomendoca8164]

Great video man, love seeing the world through your videos. Best wishes from Brazil.

[@annelammel1027]

That monestery.......what a TREASURE of a 'discovery'!! Thank you for sharing this delight🎉🥰

[@witlof5492]

Never mind the beer - try the Bulgarian wine - it's very good!

[@jessyisfluffy]

Bulgarian beer is not good, the wine is mid class (it's ok), the bulgarian traditional is rakia and i do not recommend it whitout a big salat if you care for your mouth 😃

[@websterroger]

Gabriel, I have loved this Bulgarian series of videos. I have both Bulgarian and North Macedonian heritage and now I really need to get over there and tour the area. Thanks for showing us how beautiful the world is!

[@yogiaol]

North Macedonians are Bulgarians. My grandfather comes with his family from North Macedonia to Bulgaria before 80 years as the communist Tito start brainwashing there in Jugoslavia. Because als these people at that time knows, that they are bulgarians. So I am 100% Bulgarian. So you have only Bulgarian heritage.

[@websterroger]

@@yogiaol My grandfather was from Bitola and grandmother was from Varna. So, I was just talking geographically. They were both born before World War 1 and immigrated to Detroit Michigan where there were many immigrants from those areas. They never returned to their homeland but spoke lovingly of the old country. Peace and thanks for the comment.

[@yogiaol]

@@websterroger My grandfather was from Tetovo North Macedonia.. My mother-site from Shumen Northwest Bulgaria, which is not far from Varna. Before 1 world war North Macedonia was Part of Bulgarian teritory. Bulgaria los this Part after they Los the second Balkan war in 1914. To that time also North greek Coast was bulgarian. I am living since 2009 in Germany, but I go back to vacation in Bulgaria every year.

[@ojosazules8828]

Very impressed with Bulgaria👍

[@billmoeller8897]

Great video. Excellent job in capturing the beauty of the paintings.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Great, glad to hear it.

[@soumyadeeplovestoexplore6631]

The marvellous paintings above from the ceilings are worth enough to see inside that monastery.

[@campbell640]

I really enjoyed watching this video tour to Bansko. However, as a Bulgarian (currently living in the US) I want to make some corrections about the author’s comments regarding the historical objects he included in this video. For example, the monument of Paisius of Hilendar has nothing to do with the communist era in Bulgaria. Although it was built in 1976, it doesn’t depict the hard working people for the communist cause, as the author said. If you can read Bulgarian, above the working figures there is an inscription that says what they represent - the labor and crafts that Bulgarians used to make a living in the 18th century. In addition to this, all these side walls represent pages of a book on which there are passages from the book that Paisius Hilendarski wrote. Another example is the comment about the “strange” picture that was placed on the wall inside the big tavern. Nobody in Bulgaria would use the word “strange” about the portrait of Hristo Botev, who is a national hero, poet and revolutionary during the time of Ottoman yoke. Together with the man’s portrait there are various figures and objects taken from his poems. As for the Rila monastery and other monasteries as well, visitors can stay overnight in certain rooms, but the most rooms are for the monks. If you plan to spend a night in the monastery, you must know that there are strict rules that you must obey. Also, the rooms are very modest. And I want to add some additional information about facts mentioned in the video. I believe in taverns they serve more alcohol than warm drinks like hot chocolate. In general, hot chocolate is not very popular in Bulgaria, instead Bulgarians like to drink coffee and tea. And also, I want to say something about Kocherinovo. The author said that this is a TYPICAL Bulgarian town, but actually is not. Kocherinovo is a very small town, more like a typical village with a population of only 2,200 people.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Thanks a lot for the info. 👍✌

[@alexgaskill8201]

just think how long it took to paint all that incredible art at the monastery. amazing.

[@maksKv91]

Great video, Gabe! You have managed to cover quite a lot of places for a single video. In the monastery most of the rooms are for renting, as it is a holy site for Bulgarians. The monastery itself is named after Saint Ivan of Rila who is the patron saint of the country and many people go there on a pilgrimage, henceforth the many rooms.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I see, thanks for the info.

[@huskytail]

Most of the rooms are NOW for renting. Their original purpose is exactly what Gabriel thought in the beginning - for monks.

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

If you like Bansko, you will love little towns like Shiroka Laka, Tryavna, Zheravna

[@catfink4710]

Bulgaria and Greece are one of the places to switch off your digital devices and experience the natural landscape.

[@martynaweronika1330]

Incredible monastery !

[@KanKubrat1]

I would recommend you to visit the amazing town of Koprivshtitsa , it is an arvhitectural heaven a peace remain from the 29 century

[@donstravelsandrants.]

Excellent. Loved the fox 🦊 playing the bagpipes.😂👍😊

[@yogiaol]

I was also in the Stop pyramids. Last year. Good choice Gabriel. And I remember these pyramids from the school.

[@loboblue5441]

I've got to visit Bulgaria and the Black Forrest and the Carpathian Mountains. I feel it in my bones

[@kosmicheskiprah]

Even though the sun was not your best friend since your arrival to Bulgaria for some strange reason, rain and clouds made the videos more cinematic and interesting. But, hopefully you finally see the sun at the 7 Rila Lakes. I hope you also remembered to visit nearby pretty town of Melnik (and the Rozhen Monastery) which is a the smallest in the country. They have super great wine.

[@annelammel1027]

Such a great...n interesting video🎉🎉🎉🎉thanks Gabe 🥰

[@rumik-stahnke6512]

Really interesting and beautiful place 👍Well done and keep going👏. Thanks for sharing.😁

[@rado_grami]

Bulgaria is Beautiful!

[@yogiaol]

In Bulgaria we haven´t monson, but may and june are always the rainiest months in the year. Mostly thunderstorms. Juli, August and September are usualy sunny and dry. very good for summer tourism. The landscape bekome more dry during the late summer and early autumn. In november we can have rainy days full days. In december falling the first snow, somethimes in november too. The climate is similar to Indianapolis-Detroit region. In winter are typical strong snow storms similar to New York and Boston. Russian cold air mass contact to mediteranean wet and warm air mass and the result is heavy snow and strong wind. But in the last years rarely than before 80s and 90s. In the last Winter 2021/22 Sofia has around 40 snowy days. Normal are 60 snowy days. On the Black sea normal are only 10-15 snowy days, but in the last years only aroung 5 days there.

[@annelammel1027]

The positioning n execution of all that art work..........talk about Michelangelo!!!!!!!!!!😮😮😮🎉🎉🎉

[@lisbethvalt8008]

Really enjoy your videos. If you are not already familiar with the travel writings of Patrick Leigh Fermor, you might enjoy his 3 books about his trek from the Hook of Holland, through Central/Eastern Europe (including through part of Bulgaria), all the way to Istanbul and Greece, in the 1930s. Followed the Danube for a large portion of the trek. He was Irish & English, only about 20 years old, and traveled mostly by foot and a little bit on horseback. Overnighted often in monasteries, sometimes with peasants or gypsies, but also in castles that no longer exist. A whole way of life that was destroyed shortly after his trek. Beautifully written, and fascinating look at what this part of the world was like before WWII. Books are: A TIme of Gifts, Between the Woods and the Water, and The Broken Road.

[@martynaweronika1330]

Sounds really interesting ! I'll check it out

[@janfilip3108]

Hi Gabriel, I highly recommend visiting Melnik and doing the hike to the monastery!

[@GlobetrotterGary]

Rila is an amazing place!

[@tike5449]

The mountain town has nice buildings and I loved the monastery. Ambitious to sell this gravel pit as tourist attraction. I guess the best thing there was the view.

[@jvk5013]

16:14 Dont think its a bathtub, think it could be for making bread, or something.

[@pasqualeabarno]

Hi.. Gabriel.. Interesting place.. Thanks.. Exellent work of you... Take care of yourself.. Salut from Switzerland 🇨🇭🍀💚

[@papaflickr]

Awesome places ! Wonderful video Gabriel!

[@nikosnikos8184]

you can follow the Christian celebration . on July 17 is the feast of Saint Marina. on July 20 is Agios Ilias celebration

[@andreidimitrov592]

Hi Gabriel, before you leave Bulgaria try to visit Zheravna, Koprivshtica or Tryavna. These are small towns in the mountain region with car free zones, less toristy than Bansko and uniquely preserved dating back from the time Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule.

[@Gemelli2906]

Quite a hidden gem ☺️

[@vesnanuspahic7510]

ooooo the entire Balkan (Serbia ,Macedonia ,Bulgaria )is full of hidden trasures like that .😁

[@TheEddieToro]

Nice mountain in Bulgaria GABE 😎😎👍👍.

[@ahvidaneidavirgilluminous8754]

fastinating murals in the monastary

[@Jason_Unstoppable]

Gabe, I'm surprised you didn't know about Sergio's channel. He puts out great videos, as well.

[@babiyarnazarismaily6207]

Bansko church was the biggest on the balkans before alexander nevski cathedral was build in sofia,and about the houses made with wood and stone,the wooden part is instaled because is more flexible than the stone and incase of earthquake ,so the wood takes the force of the quake and absorbs it keeps the home from destruction

[@mimi64231]

It's very nice. All the best from Poland.

[@merlijnvanwijngaarden2173]

I was at the Rila Monastery yesterday and some of the information is incorrect. There live 9 (not 60) monks. Back in the days there lived 350. There are 199 rooms, and you can stay in there for a good price.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

The Wikipedia page probably isn't updated regularly: "The Monastery of Saint John of Rila, also known as Rila Monastery "Sveti Ivan Rilski" (Bulgarian: Рилски манастир „Свети Иван Рилски“), is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the southwestern Rila Mountains, 117 km (73 mi) south of the capital Sofia in the deep valley of the Rilska River ("Rila River") at an elevation of 1,147 m (3,763 ft) above sea level, inside of Rila Monastery Nature Park. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 - 946 AD), and houses around 60 monks."

[@BarbieRocks8888]

Love your videos!!💞💓

[@corcordium42]

The weather in Bulgaria this year is quite unpredictable 😄 Seeing how you liked the style of Bansko’s old city I would recommend also visiting Plovdiv, Sozopol and Nesebar. Maybe Veliko Tarnovo too. Hopefully it’s sunny enough to take a dip in the sea. Take care ✌️

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3Woia2Dl7qMaNE

[@plamkolev8540]

Hey man, it's just beyond me how a guy like you misses a town like Sopot. Maybe your next visit, who knows. Much love!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

You mean Sopot, Poland?

[@martynaweronika1330]

Sopot is in Poland 😂

[@plamkolev8540]

There is Sopot in Bulgaria as well. One of the best destinations for paragliding(part of the world cup tour), great open seat lift and incredible mountain energy.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

@@plamkolev8540 Yes, I see that now, looks pretty nice.

[@akraps99]

Bro ive gotten drunk so many times in the Rila Manastir that its lost its magic for me😂

[@angelacret]

Hi Gabriel, since you are visiting Bulgaria, hop over the border and visit Romania. The monasteries from Moldova are a cultural treasure trove, dating from 1400's to 1800's. Go see Cheile Bicazului , Cheile Turzii, and Borsec (free mineral water everwhere!). It used to be 12 springs, and it is free for everybody. Caves: Stanisoara, Bears' cave, Pestera Muierilor, and the delta of Danube. Also, the Danube at Cazane. Also, visit the Hungarian areas of Romania, especially if they have any sorts of cultural festivals. The Peles castle is the most beautiful. Go also to the Bran Castle. Let me know if you go, there is a lot more to see.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Thanks for the tips. I visited Bran castle the last time: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqklIeBfrSCmqs

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

Can you please explain to me why under every single video on Bulgaria on KZbin there is at least one comment to visit Romania, given that these people us visit there too?

[@mirzagoralija4492]

Nice video !!! Come to Sarajevo again , come to Sarajevo Olympic mountains !!!

[@dee74raz]

LOL I had thought at 25:20 of the video, you were going through a Nepali cannabis viral video deja vu moment 😄

[@babiyarnazarismaily6207]

So you like massive stone houses...i recomend you to visit rodope mountain and see local houses -big two three stori houses from solid stone ,the town of shiroka lakais a good place to go to see what i am talking about.......they are true fortresses

[@TheSwede70]

Can you research the gluten free food availability in every country you visit for my sake? 🙂 Joking with you! I have a new reality connected to travelling nowadays. But I wont' let it stop me exploring the world! I am glad that I tried so much beer around the world before I got this!

[@Sharingofficiall]

Thanks for sharing

[@saratemp790]

I enjoyed this vid.

[@leahfriedman3381]

Where are going next love your videos

[@leahfriedman3381]

Thanks 😊

[@matthewwalz2624]

I was just here today

[@pat2row]

Sergio Sala is from Tabasco 🇲🇽 which is where President Andres Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) was born. Learned during a Mexican cooking class that Amlo’s nickname is El Peje which is a fish commonly found in Tabasco also known as a pejelagarto 🐊. Gabriel should go to Bariloche, Argentina 🇦🇷 like Sergio. His videos from there are so helpful. While I. Argentina Gabriel should meet up with fellow Canadians, Samuel and Audrey, renovating a guesthouse in province of Córdoba.

[@effie-Toronto]

Nice video Gabe

[@adayinthelifeofadrian]

Wow that little guest house looks like something straight out of Lord of the rings 😮

[@MartinaGeorgieva]

Yes, you can sleep in Rila monastery.

[@slaxmax9219]

Btw, nice choice - visiting Orthodoks church/monastery with Hindu outfit.....

[@CarlosCastillo-iy5it]

Hello greetings amigo good day good trip

[@jordanrobinson3113]

You don't feel lonely, mate? I know you meet up with many folks in your travels but still. Amazing video to be fair. Just wondering.

[@gracedegraaf2454]

You have not had much luck with the weather in Bulgaria!

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Nice and sunny the past few days in Plovdiv.

[@FlyTravelVlog]

Hy, nice video my friend!

[@AnthonyJosh]

Do you want to Collaborate? I’m planning to be in Europe from July 24th through August 6th. I’ll be in Pristina, Podgorica, Vaduz, Monaco, and Chișinău. Let me know if you want to meet up.

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I hadn't heard of Vaduz, had to look that one up. The capital of Liechtenstein, nice. I love that it's only 5,000 people even though it's the capital of a country. Definitely want to go there but I don't make advance travel plans, it's all spontaneous. If we happen to be in the same place then yeah I'd be up for a beer or a hike or something.

[@AnthonyJosh]

@@GabrielTravelerVideos sure sounds good 👌

[@valiohristozov3943]

hello brother witch city you will visit next?

[@jalalal-haddad7414]

What a weathet change😄🍻

[@mikefreeman9251]

The rock formations resemble bryce canyon in utah

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

Yes, similar but a much smaller area. A lot more to see in Bryce. I was there last year: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4HGooZ7rpZghtU

[@annonymous498]

When you hire a car do you pay extra for a GPS? How do you know the way is there is not internet signal ?

[@GabrielTravelerVideos]

I have google maps on my phone.

[@_____J______]

Xram in Bulgarian language means a temple

[@Allexander9880]

Not bad but the weather 😆

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

Bulgaria did not become Christian in 9th century. It accepted the supremacy of Constantinople. Given that St Paul visited these lands and addressed his letters to the locals, Philippians, it is borderline absurd to think that there were no Christians. Moreover, that Sofia and Plovdiv were the sites of some of first Church Council. Roman Emperor Galerius, born near Sofia, issued the first edict of tolerance for Christians in 4th century in Sofia, then known as Serdika

[@wilfredotorres6628]

hi Gabriel, Amazing video you truly capture Bulgaria but amazes me even more and I hope people aren't offended it reminds me of Bavaria, Germany, and their uncanny resemblance I wonder if there is something related to the two cultures. When you mentioned pyramids, I immediately thought of a Natural formation. This looks like it has been tampered with, unlike the natural formation in Oregon called the painted hills which are intact and breathtaking. This pyramid looks like it's been excavated and distorted.

[@Vasil_Hristov]

Indeed there was a bavarian scholar in the 1600's i think who has written of common origin of Bulgarians and Bavarians and there is some truth to that, the celtic-thracian connection and migrations

[@wilfredotorres6628]

@@Vasil_Hristov oh yes the most famous Thracian Spartacus.

[@conorgraafpietermaritzburg3720]

Unbelievable!

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

Hot winter beverage in Bulgaria is hot rakia! Hot chocolate is for kids

[@mirzaabid6691]

Beautiful 👍 Mirza from Pakistan

[@KM-ce9jq]

Hi Gabe, I like your travel videos, but you move the camera way too fast to the point where the viewers feel nauseous!!! You need to move the camera a bit slower.

[@PepinoDJ]

Yes ,you can have a room in Rila Monastery and stay but you must fallow the Christian orthodox rules , the man and woman must use different rooms , regards and god bless you all Amin 🙏☦️❤️

[@marybaker8582]

Where on earth is this country?

[@jordan9339]

Europe, next to Greece

[@ExplorewithSvetlin]

Do you want to make a colab?

[@Bas0000]

Carry garlic.🧛🏻‍♂️

[@Jaybob33]

Small World 🌎

[@larrymaietta5912]

Really good stuff, weird though the masonic symbols " skull & bones and all seeing eye"....turn left. oh no masonic priest.Really nice trails for hiking. Thanks.

[@RositsaPetrovarjp7]

These are not masonic symbols. They are in every Bulgarian church and are meant to represent death. Usually under the cross of Christ. The all seeing eye represent God. The Bulgarian Church is antimasonic, and throughout history the Western World tried to destroy it. One of the Crusades was launched against Constantinople,the seat of Orthodoxy. Bulgaria resisted and basically destroyed the occupiers, capturing their leader.

[@larrymaietta5912]

@@RositsaPetrovarjp7 Most everything masonic was taken from already existing beliefs. Just like today's so called advancements. "History is the lie that rulers of any given time decide to tell." The real truths are must deeper, and different than what tales history books proclaim. And clearly esoteric. Social engineering has been going on for a very long time. Many of today's lies have become global and are totally catastrophic.

[@happy_00000-]

Nice places!!! Come to us, Sveti Vlas and Nesebr 😆 🤣 😂!!! Gala Vlasova. 👋 👍 🇨🇦 Bulgaria 🇧🇬!!!