Montana Region is one of the 28 regions of Bulgaria. It covers
an area of 3,635.5 km² and has a population of 148,098 (2011
census). The postal codes of the settlements in the Montana
region are from 3400 (for the city of Montana) to 3699. Its
vehicle code is M.
Montana region borders Vidin, Vratsa,
Sofia region.
Berkovitsa
Balyuvitsa, Berkovitsa, Bistrilitsa, Bokilovtsi,
Borovtsi, Burzia, Gaganitsa, Zamfirovo, Komarevo, Kostentsi, Kotenovtsi,
Leskovets, Mezdreya, Poshnitsa, Perlichevo, Rashovitsa, Slatina,
Tsvetkova bara, Chereshovitsa, Yagodovo
Boychinovtsi
Beli
breg, Beli brod, Boychinovtsi, Vladimirovo, Gromshin, Erden, Kobiljak,
Lehchevo, Madan, Murchevo, Ohrid, Palilula, Portitovtsi
Broussards
Brusartsi, Bukovets, Vasilovtsi, Dondukovo, Dabova Mahala,
Kiselevo, Knyazheva Mahala, Kriva bara, Odorovtsi, Smirnenski
Wolfdrum
Botevo, Bazovets, Valchedrum, Septevriitsi, Gorni Tsiber,
Dolni Tsiber, Zlatia, Ignatovo, Mokresh, Razgrad, Cherni Vrah
Varshets
Varshets, Gorna Bela Rechka, Gorno Ozirovo, Dolna Bela
Rechka, Dolno Ozirovo, Draganitsa, Spanchevtsi, Stoyanovo, Cherkassy
George Damyanovo
Vidlitsa, Gavril Genovo, Georgi Damyanovo,
Glavanovtsi, Govedha, Diva Slatina, Dulgi del, Elovitsa, Kamenna Riksa,
Kopilovtsi, Melyane, Pomezhdin, Chemish
Scrap
Dobri dol, Dolno
Linevo, Zamfir, Kovachitsa, Lom, Orsoya, Slivata, Staliiska mahala,
Stanevo, Traikovo
Medkovets
Asparuhovo, Medkovets, Pishurka,
Rasovo, Slivovik
Montana
Bezdenitsa, Belotintsi, Dolno
Belotintsi, Blagovo, Vinishte, Virove, Voinitsi, Gabrovnitsa, Gorna
Verenitsa, Gorno Tserovene, Doctor Yosifovo, Dolna Verenitsa, Dolna
Riksa, Klisuritsa, Krapchene, Lipen, Montana, Nikolovo, Slavotin,
Smolyanovtsi, Stubel, Cold Buche , Sumer, Trifonovo
Chiprovtsi
Belimel, Gorna Kovachitsa, Gorna Luka, Zhelezna, Martinovo, Mitrovtsi,
Prevala, Ravna, Chelyusnitsa, Chiprovtsi
Yakimovo
Dolno
Cerovene, Dalgodeltsi, Komoshtitsa, Yakimovo
In the north, the district borders the Danube River and natural
conditions have been created for direct connections with Romania and the
other countries of the Danube basin. It is adjacent to the Republic of
Serbia and Sofia to the southwest, Vratsa region to the east and Vidin
region to the northwest. Montana Region consists of 130 settlements
distributed in 11 municipalities: Berkovitsa, Boychinovtsi, Brusartsi,
Valchedrum, Varshets, Georgi Damyanovo, Lom, Medkovets, Montana,
Chiprovtsi and Yakimovo. Its population is about 184,000 people.
The Ogosta, Tsibritsa and Lom rivers pass through the territory of the
district. Of the rivers that flow into the Danube, the Augusta River is
the second largest in terms of catchment area. The largest dam in
Bulgaria and one of the largest on the Balkan Peninsula - the "Ogosta"
dam - was built on the river. There are also quite a few micro-dams in
the area - 56 of them.
The climate in the district is
characterized by a cold winter, with snowfall usually in the months of
December, January and February, and a warm summer. Spring usually occurs
in the middle of March, and autumn is relatively warm and longer. One of
the highest summer temperatures in Bulgaria was recorded in the
district: 45oC in the town of Boychinovtsi.
The Montana region has a thousand-year history, with numerous
historical and cultural monuments, a clean environment and places for
recreation and tourism. The geographical position favors its development
as a transport, tourist and cultural center. South of Montana are the
remains of the Roman fortress Castra ad Montanesium. That is where the
name of the city comes from. Most of the findings that were found there
are kept in the Historical Museum of the city of Montana. Only 22 km.
west of the city is the Lopushan Monastery.
Montana Reservoir is
located south of the city and is a wonderful place for vacations,
sports, water tourism and fishing. There are numerous rest centers and
restaurants in the surrounding area. There are regular bus lines to get
there.
The mineral springs near the town of Varshets are of great
importance for the development of balneotherapy.
The Montana region is connected by rail and road transport with all
settlements in the country and border crossings in all directions. The
road network is of internal and external regional importance, with more
important roads being Lom - Montana - Sofia and Vidin - Vratsa -
Botevgrad - Sofia, as well as the international road E-79.
The
economic axis of the district is the railway. the line Sofia - Mezdra -
Vratsa - Vidin. It departs from the town of Boychinovtsi to the town of
Montana and the town of Berkovitsa, and from the town of Brusartsi to
the town of Lom.
Water transport is also an important factor in
the development of the region. The port of Lom is the second largest
port on the Danube. It is the river port of Northwestern Bulgaria and
the shortest connection between Bulgaria, Western Europe and the White
Sea. Of great economic importance is the Petrokhan Pass, through which
the shortest road from Sofia to Northwestern Bulgaria passes.
Prehistoric and Ancient Periods
The history of Montana Province in
northwestern Bulgaria traces back to prehistoric times, with evidence of
human habitation along the Ogosta River valley. Archaeological findings
indicate Thracian settlements in the region dating to around 3000 BC,
featuring fortified structures and artifacts such as pottery, tools, and
millstones. The Thracians, an ancient Indo-European people, established
communities here during the early Iron Age, leaving behind wall
paintings depicting deities like Heros, Benedita, and Dionysius. By 29
BC, the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire as part of the
province of Upper Moesia (later Dacia Ripensis). Around 160 AD, a Roman
military camp named Castra ad Montanesium was founded on the site of a
former Thracian settlement near the modern city of Montana. This camp
evolved into a significant urban center, Civitas Montanensium, which
received city rights and developed according to Roman urban planning
models. The town featured a fortress on a nearby hill, public buildings,
residential areas, temples dedicated to patrons like Diana and Apollo
(in a Hellenistic style), baths, theaters, and infrastructure supporting
a population engaged in agriculture, gold mining in the Ogosta River,
and craftsmanship. Large Italic landowners operated villas and mansions,
while a Greek community handled money-lending and trade. In the 3rd
century, it was a key town in the province of Dacia Ripensis but faced
destruction from barbarian invasions. The region also hosted other Roman
sites, such as fortifications and sanctuaries, some of which persisted
until the establishment of Christianity in the Bulgarian state in the
9th century.
Medieval Period
The medieval era brought
significant disruptions to the region. Between 440 and 490 AD, Hunnic
raids led by Attila devastated northwestern Bulgaria, including the
Montana area, followed by invasions from Goths, Slavs, and Avars, which
effectively ended Greco-Roman cultural dominance. The arriving Slavs
renamed the settlement Kutlovitsa and gradually repopulated it. During
the First Bulgarian Empire (681–1018) and the Second Bulgarian Empire
(1185–1396), Kutlovitsa recovered economically and became the center of
an eparchy (ecclesiastical district), indicating its importance in the
Bulgarian Orthodox Church structure. Roman baths from earlier periods
remained in use, blending ancient infrastructure with medieval life. The
province's broader area, including towns like Lom, saw cultural
developments, such as the founding of community centers and early
theatrical performances in the 19th century, but medieval specifics are
sparse beyond the central settlement. Archaeological sites, like ancient
fortresses near Montana, reveal sanctuaries that functioned until the
9th century, when Christianity was formalized in the Bulgarian state.
Ottoman Period
Following the Ottoman conquest in the late 14th
century, Kutlovitsa was destroyed and largely deserted. It was renamed
Kutlofça (derived from its Slavic name) and resettled by Turks between
1450 and 1688 due to its strategic location at regional crossroads.
Under Ottoman rule, the town flourished as an Oriental-style settlement,
with the construction of mosques, fountains, and other Islamic
architecture. The region became part of the broader Ottoman
administrative system, with local economies focused on agriculture and
trade. By the 19th century, areas like Lom emerged as cultural hubs,
with the establishment of one of Bulgaria's first community centers in
1856 and early theatrical performances. The Ottoman period ended with
the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), leading to Bulgaria's liberation.
Modern Period
After Bulgaria's liberation in 1878, massive
migration to the region, particularly to Kutlovitsa (then known as
Golyama Kutlovitsa), spurred rapid economic growth. Infrastructure
developments included an electricity station, railway station, post
office, hospital, fairgrounds, and community center. In 1890, the town
was renamed Ferdinand in honor of Bulgarian Prince (later Tsar)
Ferdinand I and officially gained town status in 1891. It became a
prominent craft center and stock market, attracting traders from
Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, and Serbia. After World War I, refugees from
Tsaribrod (now Dimitrovgrad, Serbia) settled in the area.
In 1945,
following the communist takeover, the town was renamed Mihaylovgrad (or
Michailovgrad) after Hristo Mihaylov, a communist activist and leader in
the 1923 September Uprising. The province itself was formally
established as an administrative unit in the communist era, with Montana
(then Mihaylovgrad) as its center. Population trends show a steady
decline since the mid-20th century: from 242,073 in 1946 to 119,950 in
2021, attributed to migration, economic challenges, and demographic
shifts. In 1993, after the fall of communism, the town was renamed
Montana, drawing from its Roman heritage (Castra ad Montanesium),
reflecting a broader effort to reclaim pre-communist and ancient
identities. The province now encompasses 11 municipalities, including
historical towns like Berkovitsa, Lom, and Varshets, with sites such as
ancient fortresses and Roman ruins preserved for tourism. Culturally,
the region has seen developments like the founding of FC Montana
football club in 1921, which competes in Bulgaria's top league. Today,
Montana Province remains an agricultural and industrial area, though it
faces economic challenges as one of Bulgaria's less developed regions.
Montana Province, located in northwestern Bulgaria, encompasses a diverse geographical landscape that transitions from riverine plains to mountainous foothills. Spanning an area of approximately 3,635.5 square kilometers, it serves as a bridge between the expansive Danube Plain to the north and the rugged Balkan Mountains to the south. This positioning creates a varied topography that influences local climate, agriculture, and settlement patterns. The province's geography is characterized by fertile valleys, significant water bodies, and forested uplands, making it a region of both natural beauty and economic potential centered on farming and outdoor activities.
Montana Province is situated at coordinates around 43°36′N 23°11′E, with its capital city, Montana, at approximately 43.4125°N, 23.225°E. It borders Romania to the north, separated by the Danube River, which forms a natural boundary and facilitates cross-border interactions. To the southwest, it shares a border with Serbia, while internally, it adjoins other Bulgarian provinces such as Vratsa to the southeast, Vidin to the west, and Pleven to the east. The province lies about 100 kilometers north of Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, 50 kilometers south of the Danube near the town of Lom, and 40 kilometers northwest of Vratsa. This strategic location positions it as a crossroads for regional trade and travel, with proximity to the Balkan Mountains influencing its southern extents.
The terrain of Montana Province is transitional, featuring flat to gently rolling plains in the northern sections near the Danube, which give way to hilly uplands and the northern foothills of the Balkan Mountains in the south. Elevations vary significantly: the capital city sits at around 135-150 meters above sea level, while northern lowlands dip to about 50 meters near the river, and southern areas rise to 500-1,000 meters or more in the mountainous zones. The landscape includes fertile river valleys, such as those along the Ogosta River, interspersed with uplands to the south and east. Notable features include scenic valleys around towns like Chiprovtsi, which are surrounded by mountains and waterfalls, and the area near Berkovitsa, close to Kom Peak—the western starting point of the long-distance Kom-Emine hiking trail. This diversity creates a mix of arable lowlands ideal for agriculture and higher elevations supporting forests and recreation. The province's position in the Carpathian Mountains' broader geological context adds to its varied relief, with influences from the Eurasian Plate and the Banatitic Magmatic and Metallogenetic Belt contributing to underlying rock formations.
Water features play a central role in the province's geography. The Danube River, Europe's second-longest river, defines the northern border and provides a vital waterway for transportation and ecology. The primary internal river is the Ogosta, which originates in the Balkan Mountains and flows northward through the capital city before joining the Danube. This river is dammed to form the Ogosta Reservoir, a large artificial lake near Montana city that covers submerged areas, including the former village of Zhivovtsi and its ruined 19th-century church, which emerges during low water levels. The reservoir not only regulates water flow but also supports local fisheries and tourism. Other minor tributaries and streams contribute to the fertile valleys, enhancing soil moisture for agriculture. The hydrographic network influences flood risks in lowlands but also enriches the biodiversity of riparian zones.
Montana Province experiences a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen classification Cfb), with continental influences due to its inland position and proximity to mountains. Summers are warm and mostly clear, with average high temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F) in August, while winters are very cold and snowy, with lows dropping to around -3°C (26°F) in January, and occasionally below -10°C (14°F). Annual temperature ranges from about 5°C (41°F) in winter to 30°C (86°F) in summer, rarely exceeding 35°C (96°F). Precipitation is moderate, with higher rainfall in spring and autumn, and snowfall in elevated southern areas. The Balkan Mountains act as a barrier, moderating winds and contributing to varied microclimates—cooler and wetter in the foothills compared to drier northern plains. This climate supports diverse agriculture but poses challenges like winter frosts and occasional summer heatwaves.
The province's fertile soils, particularly in river valleys, are a key resource, supporting intensive agriculture including grains, fruits, vines, and livestock. Forests cover significant portions of the uplands and foothills, providing timber and habitats for wildlife. Game reserves in these wooded areas are home to species such as deer, pheasants, and rabbits, making hunting a traditional activity. Vegetation varies by elevation: deciduous forests (oak, beech) dominate the mountains, while grasslands and cultivated fields prevail in lowlands. Geological resources include historical gold deposits in the Ogosta Valley, though modern extraction is limited. Protected areas, while not extensively detailed, include parts of the Balkan foothills with ecological significance, such as waterfalls and trails that promote biodiversity conservation.
The geography of Montana Province fosters a balance between natural preservation and human use. The mix of plains and mountains creates opportunities for hiking, ecotourism, and scenic drives, with sites like the "drowned church" in the Ogosta Reservoir adding unique attractions. However, environmental challenges include reservoir-induced submersion of lands and potential flooding from rivers. The terrain has historically shaped settlements, with ancient Roman sites like Castra ad Montanesium perched on hills for defense. Today, the fertile lands drive the economy, while forests and rivers enhance quality of life through recreation and resources. Overall, the province's geography underscores its role as a transitional region in Bulgaria, blending Danubian influences with Balkan ruggedness.