1. Map of Bulgaria

2. Haskovo - south Bulgarian town

3. Location  Bulgaria is situated in the middle of the Balkan Peninsula.  Area - 110.099 sq. km.  Population - 8.4 million.  sharing boarders with Greece and Turkey in the South, Macedonia and Serbia in the West. The River Danube separates it from Romania in the North and its natural boarder in the East is Black Sea.

4. The Town of Haskovo The region of Haskovo is situated in the south-eastern part of Bulgaria on a territory of 5 541 sq.km. It includes the valley of the Maritza River, the Haskovo hills and parts of the Upper Thracian lowlands, Sakar Mountain and the Eastern Rhodopes. To the Southeast it borders on the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Turkey. The region is characterised by fertile land and moderate continental climate. The rivers Maritza, Arda and Tundzha flow through the territory of the region. Roads connecting the Mediterranean with Thracia and the Rhodopes have been built along the rivers since ancient times. M Many monuments from the Thracian epoch, the Greek antiquity, the Roman times, the Middle ages and the Renaissance are preserved in the region.

5. tourist attraction…. The geographical location on the border of Greece and Turkey and our complicated history has designated this region as a crossroad of different cultures, religions and ethnic traditions. This combination has created a cultural richness to a land full of natural beauty that makes the region of Haskovo one of the most attractive for tourists in Bulgaria. The geographical location on the border of Greece and Turkey and our complicated history has designated this region as a crossroad of different cultures, religions and ethnic traditions. This combination has created a cultural richness to a land full of natural beauty that makes the region of Haskovo one of the most attractive for tourists in Bulgaria. The city of Haskovo was founded 1000 years ago; however, there is evidence of a settlement here from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago. The city of Haskovo was founded 1000 years ago; however, there is evidence of a settlement here from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago.

6. Haskovo Municipality

7. 21-st Century Building

8. Regional community centre

9. A monument of unknown soldiers

10. A monument of captain Petko Petko Kiryakov Kaloyanov is a Bulgarian chieftain and a rebel. Petko Kiryakov Kaloyanov is a Bulgarian chieftain and a rebel. He is a participant in the Bulgarian National Movement of Liberation. He is a participant in the Bulgarian National Movement of Liberation. 1866 till 1869 he fights in the rebellion of Crete. 1866 till 1869 he fights in the rebellion of Crete.

11. Small business trade center

12. Mineral trade complex

13. Center….

14. Haskovo central square

15. Statue… in the Guinness record book

16. Haskovo at night

17. Complex 21c or `Titanik`

18. Some pictures from eagle `s view

19. Art gallery

20. St. Archangel Michael Church - iconostas

21. Some old buildings in Haskovo – Shishmanov home, Paskalev home, Kirkovo school

22. Specific `S – shape ` – The river of Haskovo

23. Some internet industry addresses of Haskovo and more info for the town http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=inv estment&action=view_all http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=inv estment&action=view_all http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=inv estment&action=view_all http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=inv estment&action=view_all http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=flas hmap&object_id=24&lang=bg&dx=720&dy=2 80&scale=180 http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=flas hmap&object_id=24&lang=bg&dx=720&dy=2 80&scale=180 http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=flas hmap&object_id=24&lang=bg&dx=720&dy=2 80&scale=180 http://www.haskovo.bg/main.php?module=flas hmap&object_id=24&lang=bg&dx=720&dy=2 80&scale=180

24. Plovdiv - a picturesque town Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures. Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Maritsa River. Its unique location on these ancient crossroads has stimulated strong cultural and political influences from East and West civilizations, and yet maintained its unique cultural identity. Being older than most of the oldest towns like Rome, Athens, Carthage or Constantinople, an almost contemporary of Troy, Plovdiv is a town built upon layers of towns and a culture developed upon layers of cultures. Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air performances Plovdiv is a picturesque town, with many parks and gardens, museums and archaeological monuments. Its old part, called the Old Town, with houses from the National Revival period (18-19th century), is an imposing open-air museum situated on the three hills of the ancient Trimontium. One of the most remarkable sights of the town, the Ancient Theatre (a well-preserved Roman theatre), is located there and is still used for open-air performances

25. Plovdiv - history Plovdiv (ancient Philippopolis), city in southern Bulgaria, capital of Plovdiv Region. Plovdiv is a trading center and market for the Plovdiv Basin and an agricultural area producing tobacco and livestock. A manufacturing center, Plovdiv has cigarette-making, food-processing, and woodworking industries; textiles, metal, leather, and chemicals are also produced here. The city has an ancient gate and walls, a Catholic cathedral, old churches and mosques, and the ruins of a Turkish market and baths. Plovdiv is also the site of the Ivan Vazov National Library (founded in 1879), Paisi Hilendarski University of Plovdiv (1961), and institutes of food, agriculture, and music. Originally the Greek settlement of Eumolpias, Plovdiv was captured in 341 BC by Philip II, king of Macedonia, and was renamed Philippopolis. After Roman conquest in 46 BC, it was known as Trimontium and was the capital of the Roman province of Thrace. The city was the site of many battles and was ruled successively by the Goths, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Greeks, Ottomans, and Russians. It was made the capital of Eastern Rumelia under the Congress of Berlin in 1878 and was joined to the rest of Bulgaria in 1885. Population (1996 estimate) 344,326.

26. The restored Philippopolis Amphitheatre in Plovdiv. This antique theatre was built in 343 and was re-discovered during construction in the late 1970's.

27. Plovdiv - amphitheatre...

28. From inside Philippopolis Amphitheatre, a house just on the edge of the hill at the southern end of Plovdiv Old Town

29. Bunarjik Tepe one of the Plovdiv's "seven hills“.

30. Monument Bratska Mogila (Brotherly Tomb) is a memorial to symbolize nation's gratitude to the thousands of heros who devoted themselves and gave their lives

31. Memorial to Russian Czar Alexander II on Plovdiv's Bunarjik Tepe.

32. The Turkish built this clock tower on one of Plovdiv's seven hills and gave the hill its current name Sahat, which, appropriately, means 'clock' in Turkish.

33. Monument of Gyuro Mihailov in Plovdiv's Centrum. This Bulgarian soldier stood his post and perished as fire swept the building he guarded.

34. Looking at the ruins of the Roman Coliseum near the central post on Plovdiv Main Street. The letters on the inset are seen on the base of each pillar in the coliseum.

35. Old Plovdiv

36. Old Plovdiv house

37. Bachkovo Monastery Popular Name - Bachkovo Monastery Orthodox Name - Virgin MaryRegion The second largest Bulgarian monastery, the Bachkovo cloister, lies in the valley of the Chepelare river (also known by the locals as Chaya), about 10km to the south of the town of Assenovgrad. On all sides, the monastery is surrounded by the hills of the Rhodopi mountain, which together with its size and ancient spirit make is one of the most visited monasteries in Bulgaria. The complex and its neighbourhood have grown into a developed tourist sight where dozens of small shops, stalls, and restaurants stand on both sides of the walkway to the gates and appeal with their variety to visitors. One can find here everything that grows or is being manufactured in the Rhodopi mountain – rare herbs, home-made jams of wild fruit, yogurt and white cheese made of sheep or buffalo’s milk, woolen carpets, etc.

38. Bachkovo Monastery

39. Bachkovo Monastery – the church

40. Bachkovo Monastery

41. Bachkovo Monastery - inside

42. Assen`s Fortress - history The fortress as well as the neighbouring town itself (Assenovgrad - meaning Assen`s Town) are both bearing te name of one of the greatest rulers Bulgaria ever had - Tsar Ivan Asen II. It was under the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241, son of Tsar Assen I and a nephew to Tsar Kaloyan), that the Second Bulgarian Kingdom reached its peak. Bulgaria expanded to three Seas and extended over Thrace, Macedonia and part of Albania. Ivan Assen II signed a peace treaty with the Kingdom of the Magyars (i.e. Hungary) and married the Magyar princess. In 1230, he was victorious in the battle against the Byzantines led by Theodorus Komnin near the village of Klokotnitza, destroying the enemys army. The captured soldiers were set free, and this generous act made a favourable impression to everyone.

43. The entrance to the Assen's Fortress.

44. The inside of the fortress

45. The "Holy Virgin of Petrich" church What remains intact from that fortress is the church, called Holy Virgin of Petrich. It was partially restored in the 20th century, primarily to prevent further deterioration.

46. Assen`s Fortress Assen`s Fortress