Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Upsurge of visitors on Ascension Day in the village of Bov

The Feasts of Bov begin on Spasovden

Photo: bov.bg

On Spasovden (Ascension)the village of Bov awaits for guests from near and far!

For the picturesque and ancient mountain village of Bov, perched above the Iskar Gorge, today's feast - Ascension Day, also popular in Bulgaria as Spasovden, brings double joy.

Along with the Christian feast, its inhabitants celebrate the festival of the village. There is a service and blessing with holy water, on the occasion of the feast of the church "Holy Ascension".

From that day onwards start the celebrations dedicated to the two villages of Bov and Gara Bov (Bov Station). Since 2006, in the week from Ascension to Pentecost, the two villages have been symbolically bridging past and present in the "Feasts of Bov". 

Between the two major Christian feasts, the Bovs come alive to welcome relatives and guests from all over the surrounding area.

Today, on the occasion of Spasovden, the local women have prepared a kurban offering (feastive lamb soup) from early dawn, and despite it being a working day, the usually depopulated village is filled with joyful chatter.

More about the history and traditions of the village with a centuries-old history, which today celebrates 816 years, can be found in Radio Bulgaria's collection:


Compiled by: Darina Grigorova

Photos: bov.bg



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A gift for a gift – ritual breads and an odd number of dishes on Christmas Eve

Nowadays, as in the past, households are bustling with a festive hustle from the early morning of the day of Christmas eve (Badni vecher in Bulgarian) with preparations for the most important dinner of the year. The dinner in anticipation of Christmas..

published on 12/24/24 4:05 AM

Bulgaria marks 145 years since the first Christmas tree was decorated

The first modern Christmas was celebrated in Bulgaria in 1879. It followed a European model with a Christmas tree, ice skating and gifts. At that time, the young Alexander Battenberg, who had just become the Prince of Bulgaria, took it upon..

published on 12/23/24 3:11 PM

Remembering Mykhailo Parashchuk who left his mark on emblematic buildings in Sofia

Ukrainian sculptor Mykhailo Parashchuk was born on November 16, 1878. He crafted the ornaments of some of the most emblematic buildings in the Bulgarian capital. Mykhailo Parashchuk was born in the village of Varvaryntsi, at the time within..

published on 11/16/24 7:10 AM