ASSENOVGRAD
The town of Assenovgrad (58 677 inhabitants, 180 m above sea level) is situated in the western part of the
Upper Thracian Valley. It is 169 km southeast of
Sofia, 19 km southeast of
Plovdiv and 84 km north of
Smolyan.
Assenovgrad is known as “little Jerusalem”, because of the great number of monasteries, churches and chapels in the region.
HISTORY
Assenovgrad is one of the oldest towns in Bulgaria. Within its surroundings more than 100 Thracian mounds were found.
The town has a favourable geographic location. This fact explains its ancient name of Stanimaka, meaning fortified narrow place.
In 1230 Ivan Asen II fortified and expanded the Stanimakas fortress, this is the reason for the fortress be renamed to
Assenova Fortress, and the town – to Assenovgrad .
The town is famous for its wine production.
LANDMARKS
The
Historical museum with its three sections: Archaeology, Revival and Ethnography. – 1, Trakia Square, phone 0331 22150.
Ethnographic exhibition presenting the domestic style of living and culture of a rich urban family.- 31, Stanimaka Str., phone: 0331 24030.
The working hours for the two museums: Monday through Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.
There is also a
Paleontological museum. Some skeletons and fossils of animals, having lived 7-8 million years ago were found.
Phone: 0331 23736
Working hours: Monday through Friday 9.00 a.m.-12 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.-5.00 p.m.
Saturday 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m.
Winery and Vineyards Museum – 6, Bulair Str.
The town has several Renaissance style houses with original architecture and beautiful carvings – 30, Stamenka Street and 2, Bachkovska Street.
TRANSPORT
Assenovgrad is connected to the rest of the country mostly by bus transport and by railway. There are regular bus lines to
Plovdiv(each 30 minutes),
Smolyan,
Chepelare,
Pamporovo,
Bachkovo Monastery,
Haskovo,
Kardjali.
Bus station – 8, Vassil Levski Blvd., phone: 0331 22862, 24853
Railway station – 10, Vassil Levski Blvd., phone: 0331 23029, 22970, 22870.
FESTIVITIES
Assenovgrad owes its fame to the marvelous and picturesque religious ceremonies and festivities.
The oldest religious ceremony is the taking out the miraculous icon of Holly Mother from
Bachkovo Monastery and bringing it to the Kluviata spring. The legend tells that a shepherd found it at that place. People still believe that the icon brings health and peace of mind. The ceremony is held every year on the first day after Easter.
The most significant religious festivity in the town is called “Prepolovenie”. It is held 25 days after Easter. It was celebrated for the first time in 1896. Every year on the 15th of May Bulgarian people take out of the church the “Holly Mother, Ribnata” Icon and bring it to
Bachkovo Monastery. This magnificent ceremony is held even nowadays.
Epiphany (Jordan’s Day) and Virgin Mary’s Day are other great festivities, held in January and August.
SURROUNDING AREAS
2 km south of the town stands the historical
Assenova Fortress.
11 km south of Assenovgrad is situated the famous
Bachkovo Monastery and the village of
Bachkovo.
The guides are available in the monastery each day of the week from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
8 km east of the town is situated
“St. Nedelya” Arapovski Monastery – one of the few monasteries, located and built up in the fields.
One of the most interesting prehistoric sights is found in the village of
Dolnoslav. There is the only cult centre, well studied, which had satisfied the religious needs of the prehistoric inhabitants of present South Bulgaria and North Greece. To visit this site one may take the buses, running in the direction of
Kardjali.
9км away from the town the world famous reserve
“The Red Wall” of a total area of 3029 hectares is located. More than 600 species of plants grow there, large part of them included in the “Red Book”.
45km south of Assenovgrad is located
Krastova Gora (Crest Forest). The place is reckoned to be holy – if someone overnights there, there is a chance for him to be cured, if ill.There is a regular bus transport to the village of
Borovo. From there one may go on by own transportation vehicle or by foot (1-1.30 hours walk).
3 km from the town is the village of
Kuklen and 23 km from Assenovgrad is the village of
Narechenski bani.
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