The Shipka Monument, in Bulgaria’s Balkan Mountains, draws visitors from Bulgaria and abroad with one of the finest panoramic views in the region. Ever since I started reading about the history of Bulgaria before doing our road trip, it became clear to me that I wanted to visit the Shipka Monument. This place marks the […]
Nico Trinkhaus
A drone view of Bansko Old Town reveals a maze of cobblestone streets, stone houses, and red-tiled roofs framed by the Pirin Mountains. Known as Bulgaria’s most famous ski destination, Bansko has become popular not only for winter sports but also for its preserved cultural heritage. And it doesn’t matter if you visit Bansko in […]
Nico Trinkhaus
Hisar Kapia Gate in Old Town Plovdiv, Bulgaria, is a medieval stone arch integrated into a pedestrian street surrounded by historic buildings. As I had already written in another article about Plovdiv, I really fell in love with the diversity of this Bulgarian city. There are so many different influences over time, and you can […]
Nico Trinkhaus
This heart viewpoint in the Rhodope Mountains offers a serene, panoramic sneak peek into rural Bulgaria. I took this photo on the drive from Bansko to Plovdiv, where I also took the photo of the Rhodope Mountains Train Station. The whole purpose of our trip was to reach the Rose Valley in Kazanlak, which is […]
Nico Trinkhaus
Sofia city at night offers a mix of eclectic architecture, vibrant illumination and elevated viewpoints, making it one of Eastern Europe’s most underrated destinations for night photography. The Sofia cityscape is equally beautiful during the day, especially in autumn colors, but I wasn’t expecting it to transform into this glowing grid after sunset, with a […]
Nico Trinkhaus
I tried to photograph the Sofia National Assembly and Parliament of Bulgaria for years. Every time I came back to Sofia, I found myself returning to the Largo area, hoping for the right conditions to finally capture this iconic architectural ensemble. When the day finally arrived, I was gifted this perfect sunset…! Sofia National Assembly […]
Nico Trinkhaus
You know, when I was planning my trip to Bulgaria, I discovered something curious. Something that brought back childhood memories. Can you guess what? Trains. Train tracks have such huge significance for Bulgaria! The country is almost entirely shaped by its mountains — wherever you go, you’ll find peaks, valleys, and winding passes. For centuries, […]
Nico Trinkhaus
When you think of Bulgaria’s mountains, you probably imagine winding passes and thick forests. But rising out of the greenery, like something from a fairytale, stands the Shipka Memorial Church. And while it’s beautiful from the ground, it’s only when you take to the skies that its golden domes truly shine. Why I Had to […]
Nico Trinkhaus
How do you photograph a Tsarevets Fortress at sunrise, a place with over 800 years of history—when you only have one night and the forecast says rain? Sometimes, you gamble on preparation. And sometimes, that gamble gives you 20 seconds of light that transforms everything. Tsarevets Fortress at Sunrise — A Rooftop Moment We spent […]
Nico Trinkhaus
You know that feeling when you walk into a place and instantly think, “Oh yes, this is where I want to spend the afternoon”? That was Baryakova Tavern for us. Tucked in the very heart of Bansko, this hidden gem is easy to miss—ironically because it looks exactly like what you’re hoping to find: a […]
Nico Trinkhaus
You know that feeling when you stumble into something extraordinary—completely unplanned? That’s exactly what happened when we found the Velyan House in Bansko. No big signs, no entry desk. Just an open gate, a quiet courtyard, and a story waiting to be discovered. It all started with a Google Maps pin Daria spotted. “Looks like […]
Nico Trinkhaus
What if the best moments in photography weren’t planned—but simply revealed? That’s exactly what happened the morning I launched my drone with no expectation beyond curiosity. Just one night in town, one sunrise, and suddenly—I was gifted a view I couldn’t have imagined from the ground. That’s when I captured Bansko drone panorama in summer. […]
Nico Trinkhaus
I wasn’t planning to photograph Plovdiv’s City Hall that evening. After capturing the golden sunset from the Plovdiv Clock Tower and a panoramic view of the city skyline, I took a different street down the hill—one of those quiet, spontaneous choices that can change your whole night. My camera was already packed away, my tripod […]
Nico Trinkhaus
There’s something about the Plovdiv Clock Tower that feels more than architectural. On this particular spring evening, I stood watching the sky fade behind Bulgaria’s second-largest city, just a few minutes after capturing a wider Plovdiv panorama. This time, my focus narrowed—not on the full skyline, but on one glowing structure that, in that moment, […]
Nico Trinkhaus
When I first looked into visiting Plovdiv, Bulgaria, this hidden gem and underrated European city, I knew it had history—but I didn’t expect to fall in love with its hills. Unlike other European cities, Plovdiv’s charm rises literally from the landscape. Scattered through the town are several distinct, round hills—each with their own personality and […]
Nico Trinkhaus
As I left the sacred place, I was now ready and excited to capture the panorama of Rila Monastery with my drone. It was incredible to see how remote this location is in the middle of the Rila Mountains. The way that this magnificent building stood by itself, surrounded by tall peaks. The route we […]
Nico Trinkhaus
This is another scenic shot, this time of the defense tower at Rila Monastery, located on the left side of the main church. I was quickly curious about story behind and found this was perfect composition. Historical Significance of the Tower The defense Tower at Rila Monastery is a strong symbol of Bulgarian medieval architecture […]
Nico Trinkhaus
As soon as I walked into the right side of the portico of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin at Rila Monastery, the bright colors of the wall frescoes mesmerized me, especially that beautiful shade of blue. But here it felt differently. I noticed then that the paintings here were just as colorful, […]
Nico Trinkhaus
After welcoming wide entrance to the courtyard of Rila Monastery, I walked towards main church entrance. As I got to the doors I discovered incredibly colorful detailed Rila Monastery paintings of the celling and walls. All covered in Bible stories—so colorful, so detailed and complex, they seemed almost alive—my eyes grew wide. The whole outside […]
Nico Trinkhaus
Following a visit to the historic Boyana Church in Sofia, we set off to see the Rila Monastery. The drive itself marked a change from the busy cityscape of Sofia to the peaceful contact with nature. The last thirty minutes of the trip were quite remarkable; all around were simply large stretches of unspoiled nature’s […]
Nico Trinkhaus
Boyana Church, tucked down at the base of the Vitosha Mountain, just outside of Sofia, seems like a secret haven locked in time. The way the little medieval building fit its natural surroundings caught me right away when I arrived. Towering trees framed the entrance, their leaves filtering the sunlight into a soft, golden glow. […]
Nico Trinkhaus
Nico Trinkhaus
Nico Trinkhaus
Nico Trinkhaus
Nico Trinkhaus
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