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Southeastern Bulgaria >> Svilengrad
It is about 70 km 150 km, and 300 km south-east of Haskovo, Plovdiv, and Sofia respectively, 2 km north of the boundary with Greece, and 14 km north-west to the boundary with Turkey 30 km and 265 km north-west of Odrin(Edirne) and Istanbul, respectively. It is one of the gates to Bulgaria.
History. There is information about an initial Thracian settlement, and consequently a Roman one, which was later transformed into an important Roman fortress called Bourdenis guarding the military road to Tzarigrad. In 1205 on the same territory, Tzar Kaloyan inflicted the first serious defeat on the Crusaders lead by Emperor Baldwin; that was one of the greatest battles in medieval Bulgarian history. At the time of imposing the Ottoman Rule, the settlement of Kinekh was situated there. The present town was formed in 15th century beside a ford on the Maritsa River Actually the town expanded around the famous Moustafa Pasha Bridge built in 1529. It is 300 m long, 6 m wide and has 20 arches. There is a slab stone with an inscription stating the years of construction, which the generations assessed as "an eternal useful deed". The bridge is considered to be one of the best representatives of this epoch in Southeastern Europe. In the middle of 17th century the town had more than 700 houses and a kervan-sarai (stable for the horses of travelling tradesmen) for 700 horses. Apart from its strategic location (on the way to Tsarigrad and the bridge over Maritsa), the town was famous as a big silkworm breeding centre. The follicles called "Odrin type’’ were particularly evaluated in Europe, however the main market was Turkey. The town was famous for its renowned charshiya (market street) - workshops and inns. A secular school was built in 1847, where Ivan Vazov was later a teacher (1872-1873). In 1870, the Zvezda (Star) Communal Cultural centre was opened. In 1874 Peter Stanchev, a teacher from Turnovo, proposed the name of Svilengrad for the town ("svila" - silk, "grad" - town), and the Bulgarians accepted this idea, however it was implemented during the Balkan War (1912). G S Rakovski, Petko. R. Slaveikov, Hr. G. Danov would often travel through the town on their way to or back from Tzarigrad. In 1871, Levski set up a secret revolutionary committee. On 7th January, 1878 the Russian armies entered, however after the signing of the Berlin Treaty the town was left in the territory of Turkey. During the Balkan War, a military airport was equipped near Svilengrad. For the first time in world history, an army (the Bulgarian army) used aeroplanes for military purposes. The town was finally liberated during the Inter-Allies War (1913). At the time of liberation the town's ethnic composition was entirely changed, the inhabitants were predominantly Bulgarians, refugees from the areas still under yoke. Landmarks. The Moustafa Pasha Bridge (see above).
Accommodation: Svilena Hotel (Svilena Sq., in the town centre). Ekaterina Sevova Hotel (20 Hristo Shishmanov Street). Milena Hotel (8, Preobrazhenska Street). Chekichev Hotel (9, V. Levski Street). The catering and entertainment opportunities continuously expand.
Tourist Information - at the hotels and the Sakar Tourist Association (5, Septemvriiska Street.
Transport. The international roads and the railway line from Europe to the Middle East and Asia cross the town. There are bus lines to Plovdiv, Haskovo, Harmanli, Elhovo, etc. All buses heading for Turkey go through the town, so the latter is practically connected to all points of the country by bus. The bus station is located at 19, Tsar Simeon Veliki Street in the eastern part of the town (tel.: 0379 3466, 2883, working hours: 6.30 a.m. - 7.00 p.m.). The railway station is in the Novo Selo Quarter, 3 km away from the centre. The town is connected with the national railway system as well as with that of Turkey by means of the international railway line.
Surrounding areas. There are numerous Thracian mounds 7 km south-west, in the lands of the village of Mezek. The Maltepe Mound (treasure mound) is a Mikena type (4th century BC) and it is situated 1 km south-west of the village. It recovered a Thracian domed tomb - Mezekska Tomb of remarkable architecture as well as other archaeological finds. Just above the village are the remains of the Mezek Neutzikon Fortress (11th-12th century) having the shape of an irregular polygon. It is one of the best-preserved fortresses in the country. There is a regular bus line to the village of Mezek. Some 30 km northeast, near the villages of Matochina and Mihalich is the famous tower (12th -13th centuries) and the rock churches (10th century). There is a regular bus line available. The border Kapitan Andreevo Checkpoint (on Bulgarian territory, tel.: 0379 7448, 7346) and Kapukoule (on Turkish territory) are situated 14 km southeast on the international road to Istanbul. There is a regular bus line.
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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
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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
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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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