The fortress Bozhenishki Urvich

The only natural oak forest in the western Predbalkan is preserved in the trim reserve of Uchilishtna gora (School wood), Botevgrad district. The area was declared reserve in 1963. It is situated near the village of Bozhenitza and spreads on a territory of 136.3 hectares. The reserve represents a century-old oak wood, with an average age of the winter oaks of over 110 years and an average height of 22 m. In proximity to the reserve, on the western slopes of the Lakavishki hill, a unique cultural monument stands – the fortress Bozhenishki Urvich. It is situated on a peak in the shape of a truncated cone, surrounded on three sides by steep, almost upright slopes. Here an inscription in the rocks from the 14th century bespeaks important events for Bulgaria from the end of the 14th century – Bulgaria’s falling under Ottoman yoke. Upon archeological excavations around the gate of Bozhenishki Urvich a treasure of silver coins of Tsar Ivan Shishman was found. The coins were found scattered at a depth of 0.2-1.5 m. In 5th-6th century the fortress was a unit of the early-Byzantine defence system. At the end of 14th century Bozhenishki Urvich was a residence of Sebastocrator Ognyan. The fortress is partially examined.