Asparuhovo is a village in north-eastern Bulgaria, part of Dalgopol municipality, Varna region. It is a small, yet picturesque village situated at the foot of Stara Planina mountain, in the beautiful gorge of Luda Kamchiya river and at the bank of Tzonevo dam-lake. It is located 85 km to the south-west from the city of Varna and 15 km away from the municipal center Dalgopol. E7 international  road  which connects Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey is passing through the village.
The relief is various and intriguing - Tzonevo dam-lake winds among picturesque screes and oddly-shaped rocks, and the vast fertile field alternate with green rolling hills. The climate is temperate-continental and is characterized by a cold, snowy winter, a cool spring, hot summer and a colourful warm autumn. The altitude is 84 m.
Approximately 700 people are constantly residing in the village, but during the weekends and throughout the summer many people are coming to the village both Bulgarians and foreigners, attracted by the wonderful opportunities the village offers - fishing, hunting and relax among the beautiful nature surrounding the village. The former names of the village used to be Ovchaga and Chenge.

history

The former name of the village - Chenge - derives from the Turkish word "cenk" which means "battle". It  suggests the great number of glorious battles held in the area. Even nowadays the locals are still using this name. At the beginning of the 20th century the area was visited by the famous archaeologist Karel Skorpil who noted that the local people are with darker skin, prominent cheek-bones and very much look like each other. He has suggested that they are probably direct descendants of khan Asparuh - the founder of the Bulgarian state. Therefore, in 1934 the name of the village was changed to Asparuhovo. in 1970 a big part of the former Asparuhovo was flooded by Tzonevo dam-lake and the village itself was moved to a higher location.

infrastructure

The infrastructure in the village is excellent - there is a secondary school, a kindergarten, a mayor's office, a community center with a library, a post-office, various kinds of shops, many guest houses, a stadium, a medical center where dental care is offered, as well, an ethnographic complex, an Orthodox church. The roads to and inside the village are in a very good condition. Regular bus and railway transportation is available to the municipal center of Dalgopol, the nearby villages and the city of Varna. Many new houses are being built in the village and beautiful flower gardens are arranged in front of each house in the village. Regular electricity- and water-supply is available. The village is situated on the bank of Tzonevo dam-lake - famous among the fishing lovers as a great fishing site. The area near Asparuhovo village provides wonderful oportunities for hiking, exploring the historical and natural landmarks, rock climbing, bird-watching, mointain bike rides and fishing. The area is rich in rare plant and animal species and impressive landscapes. The stunning nature, the proximity to Tzonevo dam-lake, the unique architecture of the local houses and the folklore and ethnographic findings revealed in the area add to the charm of the village, making it an attractive tourist destination.

landmarks

• Tzonevo dam-lake: No doubt - this is one of the most impressive landmarks in the village! Situated alongside the valley of Luda Kamchiya river. It is the third largest dam-lake in Bulgaria spreading over an area of 17 300 decars. The waters of the lake are crystal clear and warm and are used for both watering and water-supply. In the dam-lake there is a great variety of fish species: Common Bream, Carassius, Common Rudd, European Perch, Wels Catfish. The picturesque bed of the dam-lake and the afforested slopes surrounding it are making it an attractive place to develop tourism and short-term holidays. Many hotel complexes and bungalows are built near the lake.

• Asparuhovo Ethnographic Complex - The complex represents the Kamchiya-type houses as they were built during the period of the Bulgarian Revival. Due to the skills and the individual approach of the self-taught craftsmen, these houses have become works of art. The old monastery school and the old church made of stone have been moved stone by stone from their original locations, when the village was flooded by the dam-lake. In the rest of the houses there are ethnographic expositions revealing the lifestyle and the culture of the local people. The restored houses have preserved the beauty of the old village for the generations to come. Some of them are currently being used as a community center, a library, a youth center. Here under the guidance of local craftsmen one could practice the traditional Bulgarian handicrafts - pottery, weaving of carpets, rugs etc.

• Chudnite Skali /the Amazing Rocks/ rock phenomenon is located 4 km away from the village of Asparuhovo. Its total area is12.5 hectars and is located on the bank of Tzonevo dam-lake. The formation represents a massif of 10 incredibly beautiful rocks, 40-50 m high, which resemble the towers of a castle. They were formed by the influence of the water and the wind over the soft limestone as the rock is not monolithic. the rocks are rising from the banks of the lake - vertical and steep. The phenomenon comprises three rock massifs through which three tunnels are hewn. The road winds through the tunnels... Since the formations are to be seen from the main road the travellers would often stop by to admire the amazing view and the sophisticated forms of the rocks.

Sources: http://ovchaga.com/; http://www.bgglobe.net, http://bg.wikipedia.org