LOCATION
The town of Hissar (9308 inhabitants, 364 meters above sea level) is situated in the center of Bulgaria, in the southern folds of
Sredna Gora Mountains, 42 km north of
Plovdiv and 167 km east of
Sofia, close to the
Valley of Roses.
It is a world famous balneotherapy resort and one of the biggest in Bulgaria.
HISTORY
During the age of the Roman Empire the town (called Augusta by the Romans) was a wealthy resort center with Emperor’s palaces, wide stone streets, marble baths, a lot of statues of Roman Gods and a luxuriant vegetation. After being burnt down by the Goths in the 3 rd century, it was rebuilt in the beginning of the 4 th, this time with high defensive walls. During the 5 th and 6 th centuries the town reached its zenith, being part of the Bysantine Empire. When the Turks invaded Bulgaria, the town put up a rugged resistance, for which it was annihilated and the population was massacred. It was in the 17 th century when the Turks appreciated its natural assets and re-populated the ex-resort, giving its present name – Hissar (Fortress), because of the many fortress remains in it.
PRESENT
Today Hissar is a flourishing resort of national importance with more than 20 mineral springs. The mineral water’s temperature is 24 to 49oC and its flow is 40 liters per second. The mineral water is light, clear, colorless, flavorless and tasty. It is slightly mineralized, hypo- and hyper-thermal, with a predominance of hydrocarbonic, sodium, sulphate and fluorine ions, as well as substantial amounts of radio radioactive gas.characterized as slightly mineralized, hidrocarbonic-sulphate-sodium, with a high alkaline reaction (pH 8.3 to 9.02). It cures diseases of the kidneys, liver, gallbladder, gastritis, diabetes and many more. The most famous spring is the one in Momina Banya (Maiden Bath) residential area.
CLIMATE
The climate is moderate continental with mild and warm winter. The average annual snow cover is 12 days. Spring comes early, summer is temperately hot with an average month temperature of 22oC. Autumn is warm and long lasting. The average annual humidity is moderate (70 %). Foggy weather is an exception. The wettest months are June and November. Sunny days - 280 per year.
LANDMARKS
Archeological Museum - 8, Alexander Stamboliiski Str.,working hours:8a.m.-12a.m., 1,30p.m. – 5,30p.m.
The Hissar Fortress has the shape of an irregular tetragon with an area of 300 decares. Its walls are some of the best preserved fortress defences in Bulgaria.
You could enter the town through 4 gates, the main of which was the southern, called “The Camels”.
Hissar tomb is a late- Roman (4 th century) family tomb, consisting of an overarched passage, a staircase and a burial chamber with colour frescoes and 4-colour-mosaic.
Other interesting sites are: the Banski buildings (baths), the Old-Christian Basilicas (5 th -6 thC.), the church-tomb from the 10 th – 12 thC, the mosque in the western part of the town, the Holy Mother of God temple in Momina Banya neighborhood, the St.Dimitar temple in the Verigovo residential area, the St. Pantaleimon temple, the St. Petar and Pavel church.
TRANSPORT
Hissarya has regular bus lines to
Plovdiv,
Karlovo,
Panagyurishte, the village of Krastevitch and others. The town is the last stop of the railway line Dolna Mahala – Hissar.
- Bus station – tel. + 359 337/2069
- Railway station – tel. +359 337/2256,2094,2411
SURROUNDING AREAS
Hissar is a starting point of tourist trails through the Central
Sredna Gora. From here there are marked tourist routes to the Orela Inn (5h). From the Inn you can proceed to the Chivira Inn(3h), the Bogdan Inn(5h), or you can climb the peaks Alexitza (1h), Fenera (20min), Kozya Gramada(20min).
Description
