Complex "Grandpa Yotso is watching"

Overview

The monument to Vazov's hero, Grandpa Yotso, was erected on the rocks opposite the railway line passing the Iskar Gorge, near the village of Ochin Dol, in the Balkan Mountains. It was built in 2005 and is a 5 meter white stone figure. From here you can see a unique view of the most beautiful part of the Iskar Gorge. This is also the place where Vazov's blind hero "observes" with affection at the new railway, sharing his enthusiasm with the remark "I'm watching the Bulgarian!".

The locals of the village of Ochin dol are proud to say that it was here that Ivan Vazov drew inspiration for his story "Grandpa Yotso watches", published in the collection "Seen and heard" in 1901.

Around the monument is a small complex with a panoramic gazebo and walkways. There is also a tavern with traditional Bulgarian dishes. There is a small parking lot next to the tavern, and opposite it, on a steep meadow, the local self-taught woodcarver Nedyalko Atanasov has arranged his wood-carved animal sculptors.