Brodilovo
Brodilovo (Bulgarian: Бродилово) is a thriving self-contained remote village in the Strandzha mountains of southeastern Bulgaria, part of Tsarevo Municipality, Burgas Province. Lying on the left bank of the Veleka, as of 2005 it has a population of 363 and the mayor is Dimitar Dimitrov. Brodilovo is located at 42°5′N 27°51′E / 42.083°N 27.850°E, 56 metres above sea level, 12 km south of Tsarevo. The name of the village is derived from its location near a convenient river ford (Bulgarian: брод, brod).
Older forms of the name are attested as Beradiu, Brodivo, Pordrikoz; it was first mentioned in 1498 with relation to salt trade, and had Christian 34 households at the time. Until 12 July 1914 the village was inhabited by Greek nestinari, but following the Second Balkan War these moved out to be replaced by Bulgarian refugees from Eastern Thrace. The village's Eastern Orthodox Church of Saint Pantaleon was built in 1910 and features an external narthex; the iconostasis was manufactured and carved by a local carver called Giannis.
Until 2006, the ancient ritual of dog spinning was practised in Brodilovo. It was banned by the authorities after Bulgarian animal welfare organizations complained of its cruelty. However fire dancing and other Thracian customs are still practiced. Following this publicity the village and its outstandingly beautiful valley was discovered by the outside world and the older Greek houses have undergone a restoration by foreign owners. Partly favoured for its gentle micro climate,incredibly long summers and close proximity to the rugged black sea coast and unspoilt coves and beaches. The village represents a unique time capsule of rural life and skills, and benefits from the surrounding oak forested Strandja Nature Park.
References
- Rajčevski, Stojan (2001). "Brodilovo". Krajbrežna Strandža: Toponimi i hidronimi. Sofia: Universitetsko izdatelstvo "Sv. Kliment Ohridski". pp. 20–24. ISBN 954-07-1541-5.
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