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Central Southern Bulgaria >> Chepelare
It is 222 km south-east of Sofia, 72 km and 53 km south of Plovdiv and Assenovgrad respectively, some 30 km north of Smolyan and about 10 km north-east of Pamporovo Resort. This is the town in Bulgaria situated at the highest altitude. It is a typical resort centre, mostly winter resort.
History. The valley has been populated since ancient times, which was proved by the urns with burnt bones, heads of arrow and spear, different ornaments and other objects, considered to be of Thracian origin and found in the locality of Batalski Kamuk. Some Bulgarian Christian tombs dating back to 12th-14th century were found on the neighbouring land of the town, yet there is no absolute proof as to the existence of an ancient and medieval settlement on the territory of the present town. An ancient Roman road from Plovdiv to the Aegean region passed through the Chepelarska river valley. The first inhabitant of this place was Belyo Kehaya, who built his house in 1705. Inhabitants from the neighbouring villages followed his example. In 1726, the newcomers bought the land and became owners of the valley and the surrounding hills. So the settlement of Chepelare was founded. Its name comes from the Gyumyurdzhi village of Chepeli, which translates into Bulgaria as stormy, cold. The basic occupation of the inhabitants was animal breeding and some artisanship, while some of the men, living there used to travel in the Aegean region working as anglers or bricklaying masters. The kurdzhalii (Turkish brigands) often invaded the settlement, but they faced organised and severe defence. In 1836, Chepelare inhabitants built St. Atanas Church and three stone turrets within 40 days, supported by a troop of soldiers, sent by the Sultan to guard against the Bulgarian-Mohammedans (pomaks), who opposed the construction. Later on, a school was built up, while in 1867 a second temple - Holy Virgin - was inaugurated. The Caucasus Cossacks brigade of General Cherevin liberated Chepelare on 18th January, 1878. The same year Captain Petko Voivoda with his detachment settled there to defend the Bulgarian Christian population against the rebels of Sinclair. The Berlin Treaty made Chepelare a borderline village and it frequently gave shelter to the members of the detachment of Peyo Shishmanov Voivoda, who fought for the liberation of the enslaved parts of our Motherland. After the union of Eastern Roumelia with the Bulgarian Principality in 1885, the south border with Turkey was closed and the path of thousands of sheep herds to their winter pastures were barred. Then Cheperale people butchered a large number of sheep and started cutting the surrounding woods in order to provide pastures for the reduced number of sheep herds. Within the period 1879-1886 about 30 000 decares of wonderful coniferous forests surrounding Chepelare were cleared. This brought in the new occupation for the town woodcutting and -wood-processing. The timber was transported along the river to Stanimaka (Assenovgrad). In 1922, one of the first water power stations in the country was constructed in the region. Gradually, with the beginning of the 20th century and especially during the 30s and the 40s, Chepelare was turned into a resort site.
Landmarks: St. Atanas Church (5A, General Cherevin Streeet), the Holy Virgin Church (Chaya Street). More information about these two churches is provided in the history section on Chepelare, provided above. Museum of Speleology and Bulgarian Karsts (9A, Shina Andreeva Str., in Peshtemyak Tourist House, tel.: 03051 2289, 2041, 3041, working hours: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. except Mondays) - it is a unique museum not only for Bulgaria, but also for the Balkan Peninsula and Europe. Rhodopska Iskra Chitalishte (Rhodope Sparkle Community Centre) (21, Vassil Dechev Street).
Accommodation: Plenty of accommodation facilities exist in Chepelare, yet throughout the winter months of January, February and March it is necessary to book in advance. The family type 2- or 3-star hotels prevail in this small town (their number exceeds 20), and they are associated in Chepelare Tourist Association.
Tourist Information - Tourist Information Centre - 4850 Chepelare, 2A, Mourdzhovska Street, tel.: 03051 3273; Chepelare Tourism Association (tel.: 03051 2246, 3545, fax 03051 3475). Studenets Tourist Company (9A, Shina Andreeva Street, housed in Peshtemyak Tourist House, tel.: 03051 2289, 3251, 3261); at the hotels.
Transport. The only available transport to Chepelare is by bus. There are regular bus lines to Plovdiv, Assenovgrad, Sofia, Smolyan, Pamporovo, Devin, Shiroka Luka, and other smaller villages within the region. The bus station is located on the left bank of the river (Chaya Street, tel.: 03051 2023).
Surrounding areas. 1.5 km south of the town, near the road to Smolyan and Pamporovo is the first station of the two-chair lift. It is 2471 m long, its transportation capacity is 600 persons per hour, it takes the skiers, and tourists for 17 minutes to Mt. Chala (1873 M) in the Chernatitsa sub-part of the Rhodopes, where the starting points of the ski runs are located. Their total length is equal to 8400 meters. The first ski run is 3150 m long and 50 m wide, with a variance of 720 m, while the second ski run is 5250 m long and 25 m wide. The long distance ski run is 30 km. 10 km south-west of the town is one of the largest and most famous winter resorts in the country - Pamporovo (refer to the Rhodope Mountains related chapter herein). Being situated in the heart of the Rhodopes, Chepelare serves as a starting point for numerous tourist routes in the mountain of Orpheus (refer to the Rhodope Mountains related chapter herein). At a road distance of 15 km (6 km deep in the Rozhen Saddle), south-east of the town, high on top of Mt. Mechi Chal (Karamanitsa). Rozhen Observatory is located, which is open for tourist visits against a modest entrance fee. There is no regular transport to this place, but one can climb up from Chepelare to the observatory for about 2-2.30 hours. The white building, which can be seen from the entire Western Rhodope Mountain, seems as if it has perched on the mountain ridge. Chelepare is a beautiful mountainous small town, but even more beautiful and appealing is the nature surrounding it - a mixture of century old coniferous forests, luxuriant green meadows, exuberant in flowers, vigorous mountain springs, and the endless "sea" of the mild Rhodope peaks!
 | Detailed information about the Bulgarian towns and cities |
Central Southern Bulgaria
Batak, Bratsigovo, Peroushtitsa, Pazardzhik, Koprivshtitsa, Sopot, Karlovo, Kalofer, Hissarya - spa resort, Plovdiv, Asenovgrad, Chepelare, Smolyan, Devin, Pavel Banya, Kazanluk, Stara Zagora, Chirpan, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Kurdzhali | Southeastern Bulgaria
Svilengrad, Elhovo, Yambol, Sliven, Kotel, Karnobat, Aitos, Malko Turnovo | Northwestern Bulgaria
Berkovitza, Chiprovtzi, Belogradchik, Vidin, Kozlodui, Oriahovo, Montana, Vratsa, Mezdra, Botevgrad, Etropole, Yablanitza, Cherven bryag, Loukovit, Lom | Central Northern Bulgaria
Teteven, Troyan, Apriltzi, Lovech, Pleven, Nikopol, Svishtov, Pavlikeni, Sevlievo, Gabrovo, Tryavna, Dryanovo, Elena, Veliko Turnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Byala, Rousse | Southwestern Bulgaria
Petrich, Sandanski, Gotse Delchev, Bansko ski resort, Razlog, Blagoevgrad, Doupnitsa, Samokov, Kyustendil, Pernik, Pirdop and Zlatitsa, Panagyurishte, Kostenets, Velingrad | Northeastern Bulgaria
Pliska, Shoumen, Veliki Preslav, Turgovishte, Razgrad, Toutrakan, Silistra, Dobrich, Provadia | Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Shabla, Roussalka, Kavarna, Balchik, Albena, Zlatni Pyasutsi (GOLDEN SANDS), St. St. Konstantin and Elena, Varna, Kamchia, Obzor, Elenite, Slunchev Bryag (SUNNY BEACH), Nessebar, Pomorie, Bourgas, Sozopol, Dyuni, Primorsko, Kiten, Tsarevo, Ahtopol | Bulgarian Mountains
Rila, Rila Monastery, Borovetz, Malyovitza, Pirin, Melnik and The Rozhen Monastery, Shiligarnika, Stara Planina (The Balkan Mountain), KOM - Emine Route, The Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo, Bachkovo Monastery, Shiroka Luka, Vitosha |
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