Village of Jelyava is located in South-West Bulgaria. It is part of Stolichna Municipality, Sofia-city District. Sofia City Region is situated in the Sofia kettle, surrounded by several mountains –Vitosha Mount, the Lyulin, the Lozen, the Sredna Gora and the Balkan Mountains. The Iskar River as well as its tributaries Perlovska, Vladayska, etc. cross the area. Sofia City Region is bounded by the regions of Sofia and Pernik. Vitosha Mount is one of the symbols of the capital city. Part of the mountain is proclaimed a national park, which includes the reserves of Bistrishko Branishte and Torfeno Branishte, as well as the Boyana and Bistritza Waterfalls. Vitosha offers wonderful conditions for tourism and rest both in winter and summer alike. This mountain gave rise to the organized tourism in Bulgaria. There are several skiing sites in Vitosha, the most significant of which is “Aleko”. Skiing places, ski runs, skiing paths, numerous holiday homes, hotels, motels are also available in Vitosha. The conditions for tourism and rest along the course of the Iskar River, at the Lyulin, the Lozen and the Balkan Mountains are wonderful. Lake Pancharevo, 15 km to the southeast of Sofia, is located in the vicinity of the village of Pancharevo and provides conditions for sunbathing and water sports. In ancient times, the area was known for its mineral water. There are many natural springs and drilled hydrothermal sources in Sofia and the vicinity. They vary in their chemical composition and temperature. A large number of them are potable. Balneological sanatoriums have been built for resort and treatment purposes near the therapeutic springs of the city districts of Ovcha Kupel and Gorna Banya, and in the city itself. The cultural history of the region is closely related to the history of the city of Sofia. Remnants of the Antiquity and the Middle Ages interweave here with monuments of the modern Bulgarian culture. During the Second Bulgarian Kingdom the area had been one of the most important centers of the Bulgarian Christian spirituality and civilization. Lots of churches, monasteries and chapels, many of which are still preserved, were built at the foot of Vitosha Mount, the Lyulin and the Balkan Mountains. They had constituted a substantial monastic community, known as the Little Mount Athos (a sacred area in modern Greece containing many Orthodox monasteries). The city district of Boyana accommodates the medieval Boyana Church, famed for its unique frescos, which is on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. The numerous archeological monuments, architectural sights, museums, art galleries, theatres and cultural events put Sofia City Region among the largest cultural centers in Bulgaria visited by a great number of tourists.
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