Okolchitsa, Mountain summit in Vratsa Province, Bulgaria
Okolchitsa is a 1048-metre summit in the Vratsa Mountains, the highest point of the western Balkan Mountains, about 20 km southeast of Vratsa. A 35-metre monument with an opalchenets cross, erected in 1936–1939, stands on the peak. In the nearby Yolkovitsa hollow, a natural rock bears a carved inscription marking the death site of poet-revolutionary Hristo Botev.
The summit was the site of a final battle in 1876 between a Bulgarian revolutionary force and Ottoman soldiers, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's struggle for independence. The monument on the peak was later built to commemorate this historical event.
Every year on 2 June, national commemorations honour Hristo Botev and all who died for Bulgaria's freedom; on 1 June participants in the national hike along Botev's route arrive from the Kozloduy bank and set up a tent camp. The peak is one of the Hundred National Tourist Sites, and its stamp is kept at the Baba Iliytsa house-museum in Chelopek and at the Vratsa Regional History Museum.
The ascent follows well-marked trails, making navigation straightforward for most visitors. The exposed summit provides clear views in all directions, helping you locate the monument and chapel easily once you reach the top.
The monument at the peak underwent a surprising transformation during the 20th century, shifting from a cross to a five-pointed star and then back to its original cross design decades later. This physical change mirrors major shifts in the country's history and identity.
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