Smolyan - the largest city in the Rhodope Mountains, the regional center, located at an altitude of 850 - 1050 above sea level. Smolyan stretches along the Chern River, which originates from the highest peak of the Rhodope Mountains - Golyam Perelik. The city is located in central southern Bulgaria, in the most beautiful part of the Rhodopes, 250 km south-east of Sofia, 102 km south of Plovdiv and just 16 km south of the popular ski resort Pamporovo.
The center of Smolyan looks quite modern. However, in many areas of the city you can find islands of Rhodopian architecture of the XIX century. with houses that look like fortresses. Not far from the city center, two local museums await guests: the Art Gallery presents works by Bulgarian masters, and the exposition of the Historical Museum tells about the life and past lives of the past centuries.
In the Rhodopes from time immemorial lived the master of mednitskogo and jewelry, who raised their craft to the heights of genuine art. They use the technique of flat forging, and acid etching, and various types of engraving. The Rodopians are the master of the ornament. Rhodopian jewelers delicately own forging, exquisite brooches, pendants and necklaces are woven from a thin silver thread.
In Smolyan, there is practically everything that a modern city needs - shops, restaurants, clubs, a drama theater. There is even a planetarium with an observatory for amateur astronomers - the largest in Bulgaria. But in Smolyan, there is still something that residents of large cities lack so much - there is a lot of sky, air, and sun. At the weekend, the residents of Smolyan do not need to go far beyond the city. And although it's not so easy to get around it on foot - it stretched along the valleys of the Cherna and Byala rivers and the surrounding hills for many kilometers - just turn off the main street and walk for only a quarter of an hour to be alone with nature.
Story
Smolyan became a city in 1690, with the unification of three villages: Smolyan, Raikovo and Ustovo, now they are residential areas of the city. Situated above all in the mountains - Smolyan arose at the site of the vanished village of Ezerovo, among Smolyan lakes. In the 17th century, the Turks completely destroyed the village, and when the residents rebuffed, they adopted the Muslim faith. Some of the inhabitants died, others hid in the mountains, and those who accepted the Mohammedan faith settled near the river Chern and the settlement was called Pashmakla. After the Liberation, the settlement was called the current name - Smolyan, which is derived from the name of the Slavic tribe Smoleni.
The former village of Raikovo was famous for its handicrafts during the Ottoman rule. And during the period of the Bulgarian National Revival, houses, churches and schools with typical Rhodopian architecture were built here.
The lowest quarter - Ustovo, is located at the mouth of the river. It is located at the crossroads of important roads, so it is a shopping center. Crafts were also developed here - copper, tin, footwear, jewelry, leather, weaving, etc.
Neighborhood
At 10 kilometers from the center are the Smolyan lakes, which are called “the emerald eyes of the Rhodope Mountains”. There are 7 of the 20 lakes, the largest, deepest and most beautiful, of which Bistroto. The whole area is a natural park - forests, meadows, alleys, cable car to the top of Snezhanka (Pamporovo), sheer cliffs.
The popular ski resort Pamporovo is only 16 km away.
Smolyan waterfall (20 m) on the river Kriva. To the south of the city on the Rhodopian elevation of Kaynadin is the monastery of St. Atanas and the legendary peak Kralev Kamyk.
The village of Momchilovtsy is 10 km from the city, with original Rhodopian architecture, a historical and ethnographic museum, interesting traditions and customs, local cuisine, comfort and a mild climate of a small mountain village.
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