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Central Southern Bulgaria >> Karlovo
The town is located 141 km east of Sofia, 58 km north of Plovdiv, 55 km west of Kazanluk, 66 km south of Troyan, 5 km east of Sopot and 17 km west of Kalofer. It is the birthplace of the greatest Bulgarian - The Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski.
History. Karlovo's remote past is not well explored. The village mounds, remains of Roman roads and constructions that were found in its vicinity cannot be related to certain names and events. Today's town is a relatively new one. It originated on the right bank of Stara Reka River right after the Ottoman invasion in Bulgaria, as an administrative centre and a residence of the local Turkish Feudal lords, close to the old village of Sushitsa. The village was named Karlovo after the local Turkish feudal lord. The beginning of the 19th century for Karlovo was a time of rapid economic boom, cultural uplift and revolutionary ardour. Hundreds of weaving shops and watermills worked near Stara Reka River. Rich merchants bought what the skilful master coppersmiths, goldsmiths, manufacturers of woollen braids and aba (coarse homespun woollen cloth and upper men's garment made of it), leather-workers had created and traded with distant countries - Egypt, Albania, Dubrovnik, Romania, Vienna. Karlovo became a big and bustling village with a distinct centre, town clock and nice houses. The Russian-Turkish War of Liberation put an end to the wealthy life in the town, despite the gained liberty. In 1877, the bashibozouks (Turkish armed volunteers) plundered and set Karlovo on fire. 813 people were slaughtered; most of the survivors ran away through the Balkan Mountains. Fortunately, the surviving parts of Karlovo have kept their original identity. The town is the birthplace of the teacher Botyo Petkov, father of Hristo Botev; Dr. Ivan Bogorov, (writer from the period of Bulgarian National Revival, publisher of the first Bulgarian newspaper Bulgarski Orel (Bulgarian Eagle) in Leipzig in 1846-1847); the brothers Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi (distinguished representatives of the emerging Bulgarian bourgeoisie and patriots, who donated 6 million golden Levs for a Bulgarian institution of higher education - The University), Braiko Hadzhigenov, Hristo Popvassilev and others. Also a native of Karlovo is the famous Bulgarian mountaineer Hristo Prodanov, first to climb a peak higher than 8000 meters -Lhotse (8516 m) and the first Bulgarian to set foot on "The roof of the World" - Mt. Everest (8848 m, 20 April 1984), he remained forever in its frozen embrace. Its greatest fame, however, the town owes to the fact that it is the hometown of Mother Bulgaria's greatest son - the Apostle of Bulgarian Freedom -Vassil Ivanov Kunchev - Levski.
Landmarks: The Town Museum of History (Bulgarian National Revival and Ethnography, next to Levski Monument, 2, Vuzrozhdenska Street, working hours: 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., tel.: 0335 4728) in the house in the Old School - a valuable architectural and historical monument of culture since 1871. Vassil Levski House-Museum (57, General Kartsov Street, working hours: 9.00 a.m. -12.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m., tel.: 0335 3489). The original house was set on fire during the War of Liberation. The stairs to the cellar and the hideout are all that survived. In 1937 under the initiative of Bulgarian patriots, the house was restored. In the yard, there is the monument of Levski's mother - Gina Kouncheva. A spacious exhibition hall has been built, featuring materials and exhibits of the Apos¬tle's life and revolutionary activities. From this life, everyone can learn something – no matter if you are a Bulgarian or a foreigner, rich or poor, banker or politician. From the humble father's house to immortality on the gallows, Levski teaches us pure and simple things, shows us the path as nation and humans' The Monument to Vassil Levski (V. Levski Sq., in the old part of the town)- the figure of the Apostle in life-size, on a high base, with a pistol in his hand and a lion next to him. At the lower part of the base, there are bas-reliefs. One can always find fresh flowers here, left by ordinary people. The St. Nicola Church (next to Levski's monument). In the northern part of the yard is the grave of Levski's mother. The Holy Virgin Church (built in 1847) 32, Vassil Levski Street, it has a nice stone drinking fountain near the entrance. The Chitalishte Vassil Levski (reading room and community centre) with a permanent art gallery (20th July Sq., working hours: 9.00 a.m. -12.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m., tel.: 0335 3391). The Alexandrov’s House (V. Levski Sq), Beliyat Dvor (The White Yard) (1, Sokolova Street), Zoevs' House (1, Evstati Geshov Street), Koprinarovs' House (11, Rakovska Street), Patevs' House (45, Vassil Levski Street, opposite Levski's monument), Ploshtakovs' House (8, Verkovitch Str.), Poulevs' House (The Union of Bulgarian Artists - 5, Dimitur Sabev Street, Sumnalievs' House (1, Dragoman Street). The bust-monument of Hristo Prodanov is in the town park, in the northern part of Karlovo.
Accommodation: Hemus Hotel (3-star, 87, V. Levski Str). Rosova Dolina Hotel (2-star, 1, 20th July Sq.). BeshBounar Hotel-Restaurant. Tourist Hostel (500 meters north of the town centre, 23, Vodopad Str). There are interesting restaurants with original Bulgarian cuisine in Karlovo, too: Vodopad Tavern (86, Vodopad Str), Mazite Tavern (9, Verkovitch Str, working hours - 2 p.m. - 3 a.m.), etc.
Tourist information - available at the Tourist Information Centre - 4300 Karlovo, 35, Vodopad Str., tel.: 0335 5373, e-mail: inforcentre@mbox.digsys.bg; in the hotels, the tourist hostel, at Vassil Levski Tourist Association (1, Todor and Anna Pulevi Street) and in the town-hall (1, Petko Sabev Street).
Transport. Karlovo is a large transport centre. It is a main station of the main road and railroad lines Sofia-Karlovo-Bourgas. It provides regular bus lines (public and private) to Plovdiv, Kalofer, Sopot, Pazardzhik and other smaller villages in the area. The Central Bus Station is near the railway station, 77, Vassil Karaivanov Str, tel.: 0335 3155. There are also two private bus agencies: Roza-Express, whose bus station is at Subota (Saturday) Marketplace and Private Transport Agency, its bus station is opposite the railway station. The railway station (2, Teofan Rainov Blvd., tel.: 0335 4641 and 4320) is in the southern part of the town. Besides being on the main Sofia-Plovdiv railroad, Karlovo is also the last station of the Plovdiv-Karlovo line. Public bus transport is also functioning.
Surrounding areas. The 15-metre-high Kar-lovski Waterfall (Suchurum) is located 1 km north of the town, at the foot of the Balkan, above the hydroelectric power station - a favourite place of the people of Karlovo for sunbathing during the summer heats. 11 km south of Karlovo, at the village of Banya are the Karlovo baths - a balneotherapy resort of national importance. The mineral water temperature is 35°-54°C and its flow is 30 liters per second. It cures diseases of the muscular-skeletal system, gynecological diseases and disturbances of the peripheral nervous system. There is also a mud-cure bed and the mud is used for treatment of various diseases. Besides the resort's polyclinic, there is a sanatorium, recreation facilities, an open-air beach and many villas. There is regular bus transport to Karlovo. About 15 km southeast of Karlovo is the Domlyan Dam near the village of the same name. It is a great place for hiking and camping. There are regular buses from the town. Karlovo is a starting point of tourist routes all over the Central Balkan Range (see Stara Planina related chapter).
 | 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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