On this day in 1991, the Central Balkan National Park was established by order of the Minister of Environment. The declaration of the protected area aims to preserve, for the benefit of society, ecosystems characteristic of the high parts of the Balkans, rich species diversity, habitats of rare and endangered communities, and remarkable landscapes.

With an area of just over 72000 ha, it is one of the largest protected areas in the country and covers the highest parts of the Central Stara Planina, including three parts of the mountain range – Zlatishko-Tetevenska, Troyanska Planina, and Kaloferska Planina.

Within the park’s borders, there are nine reserves – “Boatin”, “Tsarichina”, “Dzhendema”, “Steneto”, “Peeshti Skali”, “Sokolna”, “Stara Reka”, “Severen Dzhendem” and “Kozya Stena”, which are protected areas with the highest protection regime according to Bulgarian legislation.

Thanks to the typical mountain relief and inaccessibility, in the Central Balkan National Park one can see virgin forests preserved over time, impressive rock formations, and beautiful waterfalls, as well as rare, endangered and endemic species.

The Central Balkan National Park is the recipient of a number of international awards. The old beech forests, untouched by human hands, in the nine reserves are highly valued and in 2017 were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the series "Old and Primary Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions in Europe".

The national park has become an essential part of the Central Balkan Biosphere Park – in recognition of the preserved nature and cultural identity of the region. The park, together with its reserves, forms the core and buffer zones of the Biosphere Park, and the surrounding municipalities - Karlovo, Troyan, Sevlievo, Pavel Banya, and Anton - form the transition zone, where the cultural values of the local community with their characteristic way of life, crafts, and traditions are preserved and developed.

Among the most significant international awards of the park is the European Diploma for Protected Areas by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, awarded in 2009. The Central Balkan is also part of the European ecological network "Natura 2000" - the "Central Balkan" Protected Area has been declared under both the directives for the protection of birds and for the protection of habitats.