Pictures of the ongoing development can be viewed via  http://picasaweb.google.com/yogagypsy

I purchased this beautiful but somewhat dilapidated rural property and 1,000 square metres of land with amazing views on the outskirts of the village of Cherven in the summer 2006.  In 2007 I bought an additional 2,500 square metres of land adjoining the property .  The land is  cultivated organically.

Cherven is situated within the National Park of the Roussenski Lom, 20 miles south of Rousse, which is a very interesting city on the banks of the River Danube just over the border from Romania. One of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, Rousse has some beautiful Neo Rococo and Baroque architecture which explains its nickname of ‘Little Vienna’.

Cherven is a traditional Bulgarian village with a current population of about 300, where people can still be seen getting to the fields and weekly market on carts pulled by donkeys.  Villagers grow their own vegetables and keep goats and sheep which are herded through the streets to common grazing.

The village grew up round a fortified medieval citadel where there is ongoing excavation, revealing more of the fascinating history of the region.   It is described in The Rough Guide to Bulgaria as ‘… a rather brutish and desolate version of Machu Picchu in Peru…’   The area is also famed for a number of Rock Monasteries with two of the best examples in nearby Ivanavo and Basarbovo. 

I am now living in the original house and work is ongoing on the ruins and old stable. 

I am  intending to develop an international artist in residency programme at the property.

I am interested in getting input at this time with regard to peoples expectations from a retreat centre and would welcome any thoughts you might have.

I am also interested in volunteers coming to help with the project, so please get in touch if this is of interest.