Dourankoulak received Unique European settlement award

Dourankoulak received Unique European settlement award

Anita Valentinova, source: www.ndt1.com, 16.02.2009

Dourankoulak received a special award due to its historical and cultural development and its unique natural landmarks. This year Dourankoulak received the prestigious award, because it boasts traces from the culture of ‘hamandjiite’. It was proven that a civilization has existed there 2000 years before the times of Egypt and ancient Mesopotamia. The biggest necropolis in the world is situated in Dourankoulak where more than 1200 tombs were found. Extraordinary stone architectural monuments, huge two-storey houses where old families resided can be still seen in Dourankoulak area. Renowned archaeologists define Dourankoulak as “Bulgarian Troy”. The villages of Mogilitsa (Smolyan region), Tetovo (Rousse region), Mezek (Haskovo region), Beli Iskur also received Unique European Settlement awards. European Forum of Experts decided to start awarding such distinctions to villages and towns which have significant contribution to the European cultural and historic heritage. Each of the settlements that receive the award is distinguished from the others due to its rich history and cultural heritage.