Staropatitsa is a village in northwestern Bulgaria, located in Kula municipality, Vidin region.

It is situated at the foot of Stara Planina mountain, near the border with Serbia, about 13 km southwest of Kula, 45 km from Vidin in the same direction and approximately 200 km northwest of Sofia.

The terrain is hilly with an average altitude of 265 m. The climate is characterized by relatively cold winters and hot summers with little rainfall.

The village has electricity and water. The majority of the streets are paved. There is an operational street lighting, mobile coverage and buses to Vidin city.

Staropatitsa has about 360 inhabitants, at which disposal are: a city hall, a post service, a community center with a library, a pensioner club, a beekeeping club, a soccer team and health service. The nearest kindergarten and high school are located in the municipal center. There is specialized medical care too.

The name of the village was changed several times before the present one Staropatitsa. It was called Tsrsko Padalishte, Tsaropatitsa.

Sights and Tourism

Staropatitsa offers good opportunities for the rural tourism development. The village is being crossed by Voynishka river, which flows into the Danube, and less than a kilometer north is a branch of the Lake Poletkovtsi, suitable for water sports and fishing.

Near the village there are remains of a Roman fort and along the river can be found fossilized corals, an evidence that the village is located within the coral reef of the former sea.

In the region you can also visit:

Rakovishki monastery "Holy Trinity", which is located 15 km southwest. Founded in X-XI century, and after the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule declined. It was restored in the XVII century by St. Pimen Sofiyski. In the late XVIII century it was destroyed. Currently it is restored and operating. The road to the monastery passes through the village of Rakovica /9 km south/.

Ancient fortress Castra Martis, whose remains are located in the town of Kula. It was likely built by the Emperor Diocletian between III and IV century. It defended the way from Bononia to Singidunum through Vrashka chuka that is one of the western passes of the Balkan Mountains.

"Magura" cave, located about 25 km southeast of the village. The cave is one of the most beautiful in the country, a part of the Hundred national tourist sites.

Belogradchik Rocks - one of the most famous rock formations in Bulgaria, also a part of the Hundred national tourist sites. Located 45 km southeast of Staropatitsa.

Sources: http://www.vidin-online.com/, http://bg.wikipedia.org/, http://staropatica.selo.bg/, http://info.e-vidin.com/, Mirela, Internet.
Photos: http://www.panoramio.com/, Internet.