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Bulgaria

Rose Valley

Početna / Rose Valley

Bulgaria


Bugarska Bugarska

Koordinate: 42°42'N 23°20'E / 42.700°N 23.333°E

Površina: 110.994 sq km

Broj stanovnika: 7.537.929

Glavni grad: Sofia

Valuta: Lev

Rose Valley

Rose Valley is the region south of Stara Planina Mountain, famous for rose growing practiced for centuries and from where comes 85% of the rose oil production of the world. The geographical center of Bulgaria - between the Stara Planina and Sredna Gora mountains is known as the Rose Valley where for centuries the fragrant Bulgarian rose has been grown. Renowned for its healing and beautifying properties, the fragrant rose elixir of the marvelous power of natural extracts flows from the heart of Bulgaria to the whole world. Kazanluk is the centre of the rose oil industry with festival celebrating roses held every year. Kazanluk lies in the Kazanluk Valley, the eastern part of which is known as the Rose Valley, and it is about 200 km away from Sofia. The Rose Festival combines the rose blossom picking activity with a number of typical local cultural rituals and events. These evolve from several centuries of tradition and have played a vital role in shaping identity. It used to be an additional source of income for mining families in the past and nowadays it is a single source of income for many. Therefore, rose growing is considered a local cultural value and its traditions are to be preserved and further improved.

Pazardzhik is one of the biggest towns in southern Bulgaria. It is situated in the western part of the Thracian valley, on the bank of Maritsa River. The distance from Pazardzhik to Sofia is 100 km and to Plovdiv – 35 km. The area was populated in ancient times. Many mounds and necropolises were found there. The settlement appeared in 15th century and acted as a merchant center on the road from  Europe to Asia Minor. In the coming century, the town became an Ottoman administrative unit. Travelers often wrote about it and mentioned it as a hectic place with large markets.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, Pazardzhik was one of the main Maritsa harbors. The storehouses near the river held wheat, rice, tobacco and timber from the nearby Rhodope Mountain region. Locals grew vegetables, tobacco and rice and practiced various crafts. Craftsmen and merchants comprised nearly 70 percent of the local population.

As every major town, during the Bulgarian revival, Pazardzhik turned into a cultural center. The first school appeared there in 1823 and the first modern school, featuring classrooms, opened doors in 1845. After the liberation, the town's population reached 15 000 people. Craftsmanship lost its power and factories appeared there. In the coming decades, the town developed as an industrial center. One of Pazardzhik's landmarks is the St. Bogoroditsa cathedral. It was constructed in 1836 and 1837. Its iconostasis and the woodcarvings are considered some of the most beautiful on the Balkans. Konstantin Velichkov drama theater is among the oldest in the country. It merged with the town's puppet theater.

Pazardzhik has various other landmarks. The history museum was created in 1911 and today is one of the oldest in the country. A separate building of 1200 sq m was constructed to host it. The museum has its restoration room and photo lab. An ethnographic collection can be seen alongside the other artifacts. The town's art gallery carries the name of the famous revival-period artist Stanislav Dospevski. The gallery has rich collection and its room host works representing all art styles.