{"id":4208,"date":"2022-07-25T06:00:39","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T06:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/bulgaria\/?p=4208"},"modified":"2022-07-31T19:11:01","modified_gmt":"2022-07-31T19:11:01","slug":"smolyan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelshelper.com\/bulgaria\/smolyan\/","title":{"rendered":"Smolyan"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Smolyan is a town in Southern Bulgaria\u2019s Middle Rhodopes region. It is situated 104 kilometers south of Plovdiv and 98 kilometers west of Kardzhali. The town encompasses a sizable portion of the Cherna River valley (Black River). In 1960, the three big hamlets of Smolyan, Raykovo, and Ustovo amalgamated to become the town of Smolyan. The town has a population of roughly 32 000 people.<\/p>

The earliest archaeological finds in the Smolyan Region date from the late Bronze Age \u2013 13th century BC. The Rhodopes are a holy Thracian mountain considered to be the birthplace of Orpheus. The investigated sanctuaries atop Kom Peak (1570m), the mound necropolis near Gela Village, and the distinctive flat necropolis at Stoykite Village all bear witness to this time (11th century BC).<\/p>

Thracians turned to Christianity during the fourth and fifth centuries, as shown by the existence of several early Christian basilicas (7th\u20139th century).<\/p>

After the Ottomans invaded Bulgaria, the Sultan granted the territory of the Middle Rhodopes to court physician Aha Chelebi by a decree dated in 1519. As a result, this locality is sometimes referred to as Ahachelebi.<\/p>

Smolyan Region remained a part of the Ottoman Empire\u2019s territory until 1912.<\/p>

Tourists are drawn to the Old Houses Architectural Complex in Cheshitska Quarter. This is the estate\u2019s oldest area, and it has some of the most spectacular mansions erected after 1835. Semi-detached homes are quite prevalent in the area. A semi-detached home is made up of two dwelling units connected by a party wall. They are not functionally linked. Cheshitevs\u2019 Semi-Detached House was constructed by an unknown craftsman around the turn of the nineteenth century. It is a classic semi-detached home with symmetry. Its proprietors \u2013 brothers Georgi and Todor Cheshitev \u2013 were prosperous artisans.<\/p>

The House of Milyon Chesitev is an example of a single symmetrical structure that belonged to a wealthy businessman.<\/p>

Gyordzhev\u2019s Shelter was built in 1873 to house and support a craftsman\u2019s family. Raycho Gyordzhev, a wool manufacturer, formerly owned the mansion. The mansion was given to Smolyan History Museum in 1984 and was used to stage an exhibition honoring Hungarian poet and translator Laszlo Nagi.<\/p>

Around 1870, the Chesitska Fountain was constructed. According to local folklore, the water of this spring has medicinal properties.<\/p>

The Stoyu Shishkov Regional History Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Smolyan. The Rhodopes\u2019 Cultural and Historical Endowment from Ancient Times to the Present The museum\u2019s Permanent Exhibition contains extensive information on the region\u2019s history.<\/p>

Smolyan is home to Bulgaria\u2019s largest planetarium and astronomy observatory. It opened in 1975 and is one of the town\u2019s most popular tourist attractions. There are opportunities for telescopic views, sessions in the starry hall, and performances-tales for the smallest children, among other things.<\/p>

Smolyan is also home to the biggest Orthodox temple in Southern Bulgaria. On 2 July 2006, the church was dedicated. It is named after Vissarion of Smolyan, a local bishop and martyr from the 17th century.<\/p>

Smolyan Lakes is located on the left bank of the Cherna River (Black River) valley, north of Orpheus\u2019 Rocks and Snezhanka Peak (Snow White Peak). There were around 20 lakes in the past, but only seven survive now since the rest have become marshes. Keranovia gyol Lake (alternatively spelled Platenoto Lake) is located near the end of Smolyan, on the left side of the route to Pamporovo and Plovdiv. Camping and fishing are permitted in the lake area.<\/p>

Outside of town, the 750-meter-long Nevyastata Eco-Trail (the Bride Eco-Trail) is being constructed. It leads to Nevyastata Rock (Sokolitsa, Turluka), one of Smolyan\u2019s most recognizable landmarks. It begins around twenty meters from the Smolyan \u2013 Pamporovo road. The trail begins to the right of the St. Pantaleimon Monastery\u2019s entry arch. The route meanders through several lovely areas \u2014 bizarrely formed rocks that are covered with wild geraniums, moss, and fern.<\/p>

The Soskovcheto Reserve and the Waterfall Canyon Eco-Trail begin in the western outskirts of Smolyan, near the end of the Sredok Housing Estate. The trail\u2019s highest point is roughly 1800 meters above mean sea level, with a vertical descent of around 700 meters. The route ascends the river and passes through a series of water cascades, producing a network of small and medium waterfalls that flow into one another. The route spans the Elenska River through metal and elegant timber bridges. They are constantly followed by rest areas and picnic areas.<\/p>

Smolyan extends a cordial greeting to all of its guests. There are a few modest hotels in town, but there is additional lodging available in the nearby towns and Pamporovo Resort. The eateries feature delectable regional fare.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Smolyan - Introduction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Climate of Smolyan<\/h3>

Smolyan has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate or a dry-summer warm-summer humid continental climate, depending on whether the 0 or -3 degrees celsius isotherm is utilized.<\/p>

Population of Smolyan<\/h3>

Smolyan had a population of around 5,000 just after World War II. Since then, it has grown decade after decade, mostly due to migration from rural regions and neighboring smaller towns, reaching a high of over 34,000 in the early 1990s.<\/p>

According to Aha Celebi, 8,252 families already exist, including 2,815 Exarchists, 140 Patriarchists, and 5,297 Bulgarian Muslims or Pomaks. (Lyubomir Miletich, \u201eThracian Bulgarians: Their Destruction in 1913\u201c) In 1912, the village was home to 320 Bulgarian Muslim households, 80 Bulgarian Exarchist families, and 40 Patriarchist families. In Ustuvo, there are 420 Bulgarian Exarchist families; in Raykovo, there are 700 Bulgarian Exarchist families, 100 Bulgarian Patriarchist families, and 70 Bulgarian Muslims households. Currently, the majority practice Islam, while the remainder are mostly Bulgarian Orthodox or unaffiliated.<\/p>

According to the most recent 2011 census statistics, those who indicated their ethnic identification were divided into the following categories:<\/p>