The Montana province is where the mountains are rugged and the traditions are strong. Your journey starts in the town of **Chiprovtsi** which is world famous for its handmade carpets. You can visit the local museum to see these colorful rugs that have been made with the same patterns for over three centuries. Every design has a meaning and the colors are made from natural plants found in the nearby hills. It is a beautiful craft that represents the spirit of the people who live in these high valleys. Drive to the **Lopushna** Monastery to see a peaceful holy site with a unique white stone facade. The monastery is tucked away in a green valley and features a quiet courtyard and beautiful old frescoes. You can walk through the gardens and taste the cool water from the mountain spring. It is a much quieter spot than the big famous monasteries and offers a true sense of peace. The road to the monastery passes through small villages where time seems to have stood still. The trip continues to the city of **Montana** where you can see the ruins of the ancient Roman fortress Castra ad Montanesium. The fortress sits on a hill overlooking the modern city and the large Ogosta reservoir. You can walk along the old walls and look out over the water where people go fishing and boating in the summer. The reservoir is one of the largest in the country and is a great place to park the car and enjoy a picnic. This province is a hidden gem for those who want to find the authentic soul of the northwest.

Montana (province) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Montana (province)

Montana is the gateway to the **Wild Northwest**. In Roman times, it was the center of the **Province of Dacia Inferior**, and the fort of **Castra ad Montanesium** was established to protect the gold mines in the Balkan Mountains. This military history is still visible in the city ruins and the stone walls that have guarded the mountain passes for two millennia. The region was a vital link between the Danube and the fertile interior of the Balkans. In the 17th century, the mountain town of **Chiprovtsi** became a global hub for silver craftsmanship and the center of the **Chiprovtsi Uprising** of 1688 one of the earliest organized attempts to overthrow Ottoman rule. The village is known for its **carpet weaving** tradition, where women use ancient looms to create complex, geometric designs that carry the symbolic history of the local clans. A road trip through Montana takes you to the **Lopushna Monastery**, with its elegant white stone church, and the **Ogosta Reservoir**, one of the largest in the Balkans. The province is characterized by the rugged **Kom Peak**, the starting point of the longest mountain trail in the country. It is a land of hidden waterfalls and deep beech forests, where the history of Roman legionnaires and revolutionary weavers still resonates in the quiet valleys.

Montana (province)