Balgarianovinite.com The Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory (NAO) was awarded the certificate and plaque for “Star Destination No. 1” on Thursday. Smolyan Regional Governor Georgi Pepelanov presented the distinction to NAO Director Assoc. Prof. Nikola Petrov. The ceremony was attended by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) President Corresponding Member Evelina Slavcheva, Regional Academic Centre for Smolyan Region Coordinator Momchil Karaivanov, and astronomers from the Rozhen Observatory.
Slavcheva said one of BAS’s key priorities is to strengthen its presence across Bulgaria’s regions.
Karaivanov said that the observatory had symbolically become the first site included in the “Rhodope Star Routes” initiative, which forms part of broader plans to develop astrotourism in the region.
The “Rhodope Star Routes” are part of the integrated project Development of Smolyan Region through Investments in Sustainable Tourism, the Creation of New Attractions and the Preservation of the Cultural and Historical Heritage of the Municipalities of Smolyan, Chepelare, Banite and Zlatograd, and the Improvement of Transport Connectivity. The Smolyan Regional Administration is a project partner, while the astrotourism routes are linked to the introduction of the regional brand, Rhodopes – A Mountain Closer to the Stars.
During the award ceremony, participants discussed opportunities for expanding cooperation between the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Regional Academic Centre and the Smolyan Regional Administration. Representatives of the academic community and regional authorities also explored ways of directing scientific expertise toward more practical issues related to the development of Smolyan Region and the Rhodope Mountains.
Slavcheva described the Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory as an exceptionally important scientific facility. In her view, however, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences has not devoted sufficient attention to the observatory. She pledged that the Academy would adopt a more focused approach to supporting Rozhen and would apply “gentle pressure” on the relevant state institutions to ensure the observatory receives the attention and recognition it deserves. Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory Named Bulgaria’s Top Stargazing Destination 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-08-06 15:59:17 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
