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We start our tour around the area in Sliven itself - the administrative capital of the region, home to around 115000 people and probably best described as a vibrant, modernising city with a rich and diverse history Remains of the oldest settlements in Sliven date back to around 6000 BC and ruins of a Thracian settlement dating to around 4th century BC, together with ceramics and coins have been discovered in the area of Hisarlaka, a small hill in Sliven. The Thracian civilisation gave way firstly to the Greek Empire, then the Roman Empire and the Byzantines before succumbing to the rule of the Ottoman Empire from the end of the 14th century until the time of the Bulgarian National Revival from around 1820 until the formation of the Principality of Bulgaria in 1878. During World War II, Bulgaria was occupied by Russian forces and became part of the People's Republic in 1946. It would be almost fifty years before the Communist regime was brought to an end. Bulgaria became a Democratic Republic in 1990, a member of NATO in 2004 and a full member of the European Union on 1st January 2007. Sliven was one of the country's most significant centres during the Revival movement for its resistance against the Ottoman Turks and is known as the City of the Hundred Voyvodi, (a |
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Voyvoda being a leader of a "Haidut" or resistance group). Much of Sliven's old heritage is still preserved and, today, it offers its citizens and visitors a wealth of cultural, historic and architectural treasures. Perhaps the best known icon of the city, as featured on the Coat of Arms, is the thousand year old "Stariya Briast" (Old Elm), a huge smooth-leaved elm tree in the centre of the main pedestrian thoroughfare where, during the latter stages of the Ottoman Occupation, Turkish officials hanged numerous Bulgarian revolutionaries. Sliven nestles in the foothills of the Stara Planina (Old Mountains), below the famous rocky massif, Sinite Kamani (Blue Rocks) and the Karandila plateau from where the best views of the city can be enjoyed. The City Centre From any vantage point along the main pedestrian thoroughfare, Boulevard Tsar Osvoboditel, you could be in pretty much any European city. Subtle Mediterranean colours lend clarity and emphasis to the buildings lining the wide boulevards where boutiques, cafe-bars, florists and fashion stores intermingle with the high street banks, pharmacies and phone shops. A short stroll past the Municipality Building and St Dimitar Church brings you to the Central Market, which is as much about shopping for your fresh fruit and vegetables as it is about meeting friends for lunch in one of the numerous cafes and bars dotted around the Market area or the neighbouring park. Beautiful Buildings Visitors to Sliven regularly comment on the number of beautiful, historic buildings located in and around the city - and on how well they are are maintained by the local Municipality. Some of the most striking examples are, in fact, old family houses set in the city centre that are now publicly managed and home to such organisations as: the City Art Gallery, the Museum of Military History and the Regional Library< Restaurants Too many to list separately .. but suffice it to say that, whatever your tastes, you will find a good selection of restaurants offering traditional Bulgarian, European and Chinese menus, together with numerous cafes, snack bars, pizza parlours and speciality venues. You can choose from delicious cakes and pastries, baked potatoes and pancakes or local treats such as: Piroshka (fried dough filled with cheese), Banitsa (a pastry with white cheese), Kifla (a croissant that usually contains jam, Kyufteta (spicy meat balls), Kebapcheta (mincemeat with spices) .. or any of the huge array of fresh salads. Dinner could be in a stylish hotel with full silver service, an open-air restaurant in the park, a traditional "mehana" with local music and dancing, or seated alongside an ancient water-mill, on a moonlit terrace overlooking the river Tundja ... the choice is yours |
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Hadzhi Dimitur's Memorial House Sliven's oldest district, Kloutsohor, hosts the birth house of the famous Haidut leader, Hadzhi Dimitur. The house has been restored and turned into a museum dedicated to his life and revolutionary activities. The collection also presents the life of another Sliven revolutionary, Stefan Karadzha. Apart from their personal belongings, the displays include numerous weapons and artefacts from the time of the revolution. The house has been acting as a museum since 1935 and visitors can even take a look at the room, where Hadzhi Dimitur was born. The museum is situated at No. 2 Asenovska Street and welcomes visitors from 9.00 am to midday and from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm. During the summer, it is open every day through the summer but in the winter the museum is closed at the weekends. Museum of Popular Customs Considered one of the most valuable revival period monuments in the city, the museum is actually two symmetrical dwellings originally constructed in 1813 - Diado Boiuva house and Arnaoutkina house - separated by a wall dividing both the yard and the building. In 1963, Diado Boiuva house was turned into a museum presenting local customs, traditions and lifestyle from the 19th century. Then, in 1970, Arnaoutkina house was re-furbished to present a permanent exhibition of European influences on Sliven's lifestyle. The museum rooms feature beautiful hand-woven carpets, together with intricately decorated dishes, fine wood-carvings and original paintings. The classic revival design, the richly decorated icons, the sweeping columns, arches, balconies and verandahs define the museum as one of the masterpieces of Bulgarian architecture from the period. Textile Industry Museum The textile industry museum is the first of its kind in the country. It opened in 1984 to mark 150 years since the beginning of manufacturing in Bulgaria, when Dobri Zheliazkov opened the first factory to appear inside the Ottoman Empire and on the Balkans. Several hundred people worked at the factory, which was the first source of woollen clothing supplied for the Sultan's needs. The factory is situated in a three-storey building and hosts the museum today. Collections have been organized under the three themes of: handmade clothing, textile crafts and textile factory production. The museum is situated at No. 3 Stoil Voivoda square and visitors are welcome from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm every week day. Sinite Kamani The breathtaking Blue Rocks Nature Park offers panoramic views and an array of rare flora and fauna. It covers some 7000 hectares and it is the third largest National Park in the country. It also houses an ancient beech forest near the Kushbunar spring and the favourable climate has seen increases in the plant species, of which there are now over 1000 along with 235 invertebrate animal species. The mountains are steep and reach 1181 metres above sea level at the highest point. The famous Bora winds sweep through the region and the park is full of waterfalls, caves, unusual rock formations and rivers. There is a chair lift with wonderful views, which transports visitors to the high mountain peak, although many of Sinite Kamani's interesting sights can also be reached on foot. Karandila Sliven's most visited site is the Karandila, a hilltop 1050 metres above sea level in the Blue Rocks National Park. It offers some spectacular views across the city. The hill is also home to an intriguing rock formation called the Hulkata or "The Ring", a rock overhang with an unusual hole in the centre. There are many local folklore tales associated with the Hulkata, perhaps the strangest being that those who pass through the centre of the ring will change gender. Caves and Waterfalls Sliven is home to many caves, including the highly popular Zmeiovi Dupki or Dragon's Cave, situated 5 km north-east of the town. There is an underwater river in the cave, which runs for more than 150 metres. Another nearby but inaccessible cave is the Eagles' Hole, perched at the top of a vertical cliff which, as the name suggests, only eagles can reach. Sliven also boasts some extremely picturesque waterfalls. The Dragon's Cave Waterfall is over 8 metres high and flows into the Mara Deer River. The Camel's Step Waterfall on the Goliam Djendem River is 10 metres high and lies hidden in a beautiful lush forest. Zheravna Village Zheravna is a small, architecturally protected village which lies in a valley at the southern foot of the eastern Balkan Mountains. It boasts more than 200 one and two storey wooden houses in the architectural style of the National Revival and the village is surrounded by stone walls and cobblestone alleys. Popular sites in the village include the museum house of the merchant Rusi; the Church of St Nicholas, which houses beautiful religious icons from the 18th and early 19th century; the restored home of the distinguished writer, Yordan Yokov; the Art Gallery, which is in the Old School House; and the Museum House of the teacher, Sava Filaterov. Days of Wine ... A not so well-known fact is that Bulgaria is one of the oldest documented wine producing regions in the world with archeology, folklore, and literature providing evidence of vine planting and wine production for some 6500 years. Today, the wine industry is amongst the most profitable sectors of Bulgaria's food industry. From the 65 or so cellars located around the country, those in the Sliven area include the old established Vini Sliven, Domain Boyar, Stara Ibza, Rosova Dolina and Vineks Slavianski wineries, together with the newer cellars at Sinite Skali and Windy Hills Chateau. In addition to the ubiquitous local Rakiya, there are more than 25 varieties of white and red wines with registered trademarks of origin from designated geographic regions and the sector also offers: natural sparking wines, wine distillates, grape syrup, high-alcohol beverages (brandy, cognac, vodka and whisky) and sweetened spirits (vermouth, aniseed flavored brandy, mint alcohol and fruit liqueurs). More than 80% of Bulgaria's wine is exported throughout Europe and to other countries including the USA, Canada, Russia, Australia and Japan. ... and Roses Bulgarian rose essential oil is one of the country's most expensive products, sold all over the world, mainly for the production of high quality perfumes. A kilogram of rose essential oil can command a price of more than 5000 US dollars on the international market. Known as "The Valley of the Roses", the centre of the rose oil industry is a region located between the Balkan Mountains, to the north, and Sredna Gora Mountain, to the south. The region's administrative center is the town of Kazanluk, less than an hours drive from Sliven. June is the time for the traditional ritual known as the Festival of the Roses. Traditionally, the petals are collected at dawn, before the flower blossoms have opened because it is believed that, at this time of day, the concentration of rose oil is at its highest. A little before sunrise, the rose-pickers enter the rose fields singing and dancting and begin picking the fragile rose petals in their straw baskets. Visitors to the region are invited to join in and become part of this ritual, which has become both a means of livelihood for the local population and one of Bulgaria's most magical cultural experiences. |
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Sliven Coat of Arms
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Out and about in Sliven
some snapshots of the places to go, the sights to see and the things to do while you are here .. images will cycle automatically .. |
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