Pepelina’s Champion: How One Man Is Transforming a Tiny Village

Georgi Korchev, former Pepelina mayor

Pepelina may be the smallest village in the Ruse region, but it boasts a thousand-year history, remains of an ancient castle, and at least three legends explaining its name.

One story tells of a noblewoman named Pepelina who sought refuge among the surrounding rocks from advancing conquerors. Another version highlights the village’s economic importance in the Middle Ages when it supplied charcoal to forges in the nearby fortress town of Cherven, producing so much ash (pepel in Bulgarian) that it became Ash Town. A third tale attributes the name to the area’s rich biodiversity, particularly its vipers (pepelyanka in Bulgarian).

Whatever Pepelina’s origin may be, Georgi Korchev believes the region holds immense promise. “The region has the potential of Perperikon,” says the former Pepelina mayor and one of the village’s 25 permanent residents. [Perperikon is a popular tourist attraction in the Rhodope Mountains featuring the remains of an ancient Thracian city and a medieval fortress town, ed.]

Drone shot of Pepelina

Driven by a desire for a more fulfilling life in nature and away from urban stress, Georgi moved to Pepelina a decade ago. The stunning landscapes, unique terrain, and rich history of Pepelina captivated him. With his language skills and innovative ideas for tourism development, Georgi also won the contest for village mayor.

For the past eight years, Georgi has worked tirelessly to attract visitors to Polomieto, also known as Lomovete (The Loms) — the territory framed by the valleys of the four Lom Rivers: Rusenski Lom and its tributaries Mali Lom, Beli Lom, and Cherni Lom. Because of its canyons, caves, and rocky heights, the Loms area is often called “a mountain under the plain.”

“Every 10 km, you see something different,” Georgi says.

In the footsteps of the hesychast monks with the writer Victoria Beshliyska and friends

Georgi eagerly shares the incredible natural beauty of Pepelina with the world through the village’s Facebook page, where he posts photos and updates about the area. As a group leader for visitors, his smiling face is a familiar sight in online photos of local landmarks.

To enhance tourist comfort, Georgi renovated the visitor area at the Orlova Chuka cave, the third-longest cave in Bulgaria and a major regional attraction. He works with locals, tourism associations like Ruse’s Prista, businesses, and cultural organizations to promote routes that feature popular sites such as the UNESCO-protected Ivanovo Rock Churches, the medieval town of Cherven, and the Orlova Chuka cave, along with lesser-known but equally fascinating places.

There is plenty to do and see in Pepelina and the area.

Georgi aims to unify the people of the Loms area who offer tourist products and services to develop sustainable tourism. After his second term as mayor, he founded the Tourism on the Loms Association to connect tourism professionals and promote the region’s opportunities for recreation, sports, culture, and spiritual enrichment.

Whether you are a rock climber, water sports enthusiast, wildlife explorer, or simply curious, the Loms area has something for everyone!

Visitors can also enjoy activities like Beekeeper for a Day at Georgi’s bee farm in Pepelina.

Georgi is an avid beekeeper.

“The idea of people returning to the countryside is close to my heart,” Georgi says. His passion for rural revival — and his desire to promote voluntary blood donation in Bulgaria — led him to seek a more visible platform: he was a participant in the eighth season of the reality TV show The Farm!

If you are inspired to stay after meeting Georgi, please note that there are no houses for sale in Pepelina. That said, nearby villages may have options. Intrigued?

There is always something to do in the countryside.

 

Support for Tourism along the Loms Association is part of the America for Bulgaria Foundation’s long-term efforts to promote economic development in the Bulgarian North through entrepreneurship and tourism.

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