Map of Bulgaria. Haskovo - south Bulgarian town Location Bulgaria is situated in the middle of the Balkan Peninsula. Area - 110.099 sq. km. Population.

Map of BulgariaMap of Bulgaria

Haskovo - south Bulgarian townHaskovo - south Bulgarian town

LocationLocation

Bulgaria is situated in the middle of the Balkan Bulgaria is situated in the middle of the Balkan Peninsula. Peninsula.

Area - 110.099 sq. km. Area - 110.099 sq. km. Population - 8.4 million.Population - 8.4 million. sharing boarders with Greece and Turkey in the sharing boarders with Greece and Turkey in the

South, Macedonia and Serbia in the West. The South, Macedonia and Serbia in the West. The River Danube separates it from Romania in the River Danube separates it from Romania in the North and its natural boarder in the East is Black North and its natural boarder in the East is Black Sea.Sea.

The Town of HaskovoThe Town of Haskovo The region of Haskovo is situated in the south-eastern part The region of Haskovo is situated in the south-eastern part

of Bulgaria on a territory of 5 541 sq.km. It includes the of Bulgaria on a territory of 5 541 sq.km. It includes the valley of the Maritza River, the Haskovo hills and parts of valley of the Maritza River, the Haskovo hills and parts of the Upper Thracian lowlands, Sakar Mountain and the the Upper Thracian lowlands, Sakar Mountain and the Eastern Rhodopes. To the Southeast it borders on the Eastern Rhodopes. To the Southeast it borders on the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Turkey. Republic of Greece and the Republic of Turkey.

The region is characterised by fertile land and moderate The region is characterised by fertile land and moderate continental climate. continental climate.

The rivers Maritza, Arda and Tundzha flow through the The rivers Maritza, Arda and Tundzha flow through the territory of the region. territory of the region.

Roads connecting the Mediterranean with Thracia and the Roads connecting the Mediterranean with Thracia and the Rhodopes have been built along the rivers since ancient Rhodopes have been built along the rivers since ancient times.times.

Many monuments from the Thracian epoch, the Greek Many monuments from the Thracian epoch, the Greek antiquity, the Roman times, the Middle ages and the antiquity, the Roman times, the Middle ages and the Renaissance are preserved in the region.Renaissance are preserved in the region.

tourist attraction….tourist attraction….

• The geographical location on the border of Greece The geographical location on the border of Greece and Turkey and our complicated history has and Turkey and our complicated history has designated this region as a crossroad of different designated this region as a crossroad of different cultures, religions and ethnic traditions. This cultures, religions and ethnic traditions. This combination has created a cultural richness to a combination has created a cultural richness to a land full of natural beauty that makes the region of land full of natural beauty that makes the region of Haskovo one of the most attractive for tourists in Haskovo one of the most attractive for tourists in Bulgaria.Bulgaria.

• The city of Haskovo was founded 1000 years ago; The city of Haskovo was founded 1000 years ago; however, there is evidence of a settlement here however, there is evidence of a settlement here from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago.from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago.

Haskovo MunicipalityHaskovo Municipality

21-st Century Building 

Regional community centreRegional community centre

A monument of unknown soldiersA monument of unknown soldiers

A monument of captain A monument of captain PetkoPetko

• Petko Kiryakov Petko Kiryakov Kaloyanov is a Kaloyanov is a Bulgarian chieftain Bulgarian chieftain and a rebel. and a rebel.

• He is a participant He is a participant in the Bulgarian in the Bulgarian National Movement National Movement of Liberation. of Liberation.

• 1866 till 1869 he 1866 till 1869 he fights in the fights in the rebellion of Crete.rebellion of Crete.

Small business trade Small business trade centercenter

Mineral trade complexMineral trade complex

Center….Center….

Haskovo central squareHaskovo central square

Statue… Statue… in the Guinness record bookin the Guinness record book

Haskovo at night

Complex 21c or `Titanik`

Some pictures from eagle `s viewSome pictures from eagle `s view

Art galleryArt gallery

St. Archangel Michael Church - St. Archangel Michael Church - iconostasiconostas

Some old buildings in Haskovo Some old buildings in Haskovo –Shishmanov home, Paskalev –Shishmanov home, Paskalev

home, Kirkovo schoolhome, Kirkovo school

Specific `S – shape ` – The Specific `S – shape ` – The river of Haskovoriver of Haskovo

Some internet industry Some internet industry addresses addresses

of Haskovo and more info of Haskovo and more info for the town for the town http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?mohttp://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?mo

dule=investment&action=view_alldule=investment&action=view_all

httphttp://://wwwwww..haskovohaskovo..bgbg//mainmain..phpphp??modulemodule==flashmapflashmap&&objectobject__idid=24&=24&lalangng==bgbg&&dxdx=720&=720&dydy=280&=280&scalescale=18=1800

Plovdiv - a picturesque townPlovdiv - a picturesque town

PlovdivPlovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures.developed upon layers of cultures.

Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air performancesperformances

Plovdiv - history

Plovdiv (ancient Philippopolis), city in southern Bulgaria, capital of Plovdiv Region. Plovdiv is a trading center and market for the Plovdiv Basin and an agricultural area producing tobacco and livestock. A manufacturing center, Plovdiv has cigarette-making, food-processing, and woodworking industries; textiles, metal, leather, and chemicals are also produced here. The city has an ancient gate and walls, a Catholic cathedral, old churches and mosques, and the ruins of a Turkish market and baths. Plovdiv is also the site of the Ivan Vazov National Library (founded in 1879), Paisi Hilendarski University of Plovdiv (1961), and institutes of food, agriculture, and music. Originally the Greek settlement of Eumolpias, Plovdiv was captured in 341 BC by Philip II, king of Macedonia, and was renamed Philippopolis. After Roman conquest in 46 BC, it was known as Trimontium and was the capital of the Roman province of Thrace. The city was the site of many battles and was ruled successively by the Goths, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Greeks, Ottomans, and Russians. It was made the capital of Eastern Rumelia under the Congress of Berlin in 1878 and was joined to the rest of Bulgaria in 1885. Population (1996 estimate) 344,326.

The restored Philippopolis Amphitheatre The restored Philippopolis Amphitheatre in Plovdiv. in Plovdiv. This antique theatre was built in 343 and This antique theatre was built in 343 and was re-discovered during construction in the late was re-discovered during construction in the late 1970's.1970's.

Plovdiv - amphitheatrePlovdiv - amphitheatre

. . .

From inside Philippopolis Amphitheatre, a house just From inside Philippopolis Amphitheatre, a house just on the edge of the hill on the edge of the hill

at the southern end of Plovdiv Old Townat the southern end of Plovdiv Old Town

Bunarjik TepeBunarjik Tepe one of the one of the Plovdiv's "seven Plovdiv's "seven hills“hills“..

Monument Bratska Mogila (Brotherly Tomb) is Monument Bratska Mogila (Brotherly Tomb) is a memorial to symbolize nation's gratitude a memorial to symbolize nation's gratitude to the thousands of heros who devoted to the thousands of heros who devoted

themselves and gave their livesthemselves and gave their lives

Memorial to Russian Czar Alexander II on Memorial to Russian Czar Alexander II on

Plovdiv's Bunarjik Tepe.Plovdiv's Bunarjik Tepe.

The Turkish built this clock tower on one of Plovdiv's The Turkish built this clock tower on one of Plovdiv's seven hills and gave the seven hills and gave the hill its current name Sahat, which, appropriately, hill its current name Sahat, which, appropriately,

means 'clock' in Turkishmeans 'clock' in Turkish..

Monument of Gyuro Mihailov in Plovdiv's Monument of Gyuro Mihailov in Plovdiv's Centrum. This Bulgarian soldier stood hisCentrum. This Bulgarian soldier stood hispost and perished as fire swept the building post and perished as fire swept the building he guarded.he guarded.

Looking at the ruins of the Roman Coliseum near the Looking at the ruins of the Roman Coliseum near the central post on Plovdiv Main Street. The letters on the central post on Plovdiv Main Street. The letters on the inset are seen on the base of each pillar in the inset are seen on the base of each pillar in the

coliseum.coliseum.

Old PlovdivOld Plovdiv

Old Plovdiv houseOld Plovdiv house

Bachkovo Monastery Popular Name - Bachkovo Monastery Orthodox Name - Virgin MaryRegion The second largest Bulgarian monastery, the Bachkovo

cloister, lies in the valley of the Chepelare river (also known by the locals as Chaya), about 10km to the south of the town of Assenovgrad. On all sides, the monastery is surrounded by the hills of the Rhodopi mountain, which together with its size and ancient spirit make is one of the most visited monasteries in Bulgaria.

The complex and its neighbourhood have grown into a developed tourist sight where dozens of small shops, stalls, and restaurants stand on both sides of the walkway to the gates and appeal with their variety to visitors. One can find here everything that grows or is being manufactured in the Rhodopi mountain – rare herbs, home-made jams of wild fruit, yogurt and white cheese made of sheep or buffalo’s milk, woolen carpets, etc.

Bachkovo MonasteryBachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo Monastery – the churchBachkovo Monastery – the church

Bachkovo MonasteryBachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo Monastery - insideBachkovo Monastery - inside

Assen`s Fortress - Assen`s Fortress - historyhistory

The fortress as well as the neighbouring town itself The fortress as well as the neighbouring town itself (Assenovgrad - meaning Assen`s Town) are both (Assenovgrad - meaning Assen`s Town) are both bearing te name of one of the greatest rulers bearing te name of one of the greatest rulers Bulgaria ever had - Tsar Ivan Asen II.Bulgaria ever had - Tsar Ivan Asen II.

It was under the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan It was under the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241, son of Tsar Assen I and a Asen II (1218-1241, son of Tsar Assen I and a nephew to Tsar Kaloyan), that the Second Bulgarian nephew to Tsar Kaloyan), that the Second Bulgarian Kingdom reached its peak. Bulgaria expanded to Kingdom reached its peak. Bulgaria expanded to three Seas and extended over Thrace, Macedonia and three Seas and extended over Thrace, Macedonia and part of Albania. part of Albania.

Ivan Assen II signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom Ivan Assen II signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of the Magyars (i.e. Hungary) and married the of the Magyars (i.e. Hungary) and married the Magyar princess. In 1230, he was victorious in the Magyar princess. In 1230, he was victorious in the battle against the Byzantines led by Theodorus battle against the Byzantines led by Theodorus Komnin near the village of Klokotnitza, destroying Komnin near the village of Klokotnitza, destroying the enemys army. The captured soldiers were set the enemys army. The captured soldiers were set free, and this generous act made a favourable free, and this generous act made a favourable impression to everyone.impression to everyone.

The entrance to the Assen's The entrance to the Assen's Fortress.Fortress.

The inside of the fortress The inside of the fortress

The "Holy Virgin of The "Holy Virgin of Petrich" churchPetrich" church

What remains What remains intact from that intact from that fortress is the fortress is the church, called church, called Holy Virgin of Holy Virgin of Petrich. It was Petrich. It was partially restored partially restored in the 20th in the 20th century, primarily century, primarily to prevent to prevent further further deterioration.deterioration.

   Assen`s FortressAssen`s Fortress

   Assen`s FortressAssen`s Fortress