Haskovo, one of Bulgaria's 28 provinces, is located in the southern part of the country. The province contributes to Bulgaria's state border with Greece to the southeast and Turkey to the east. Haskovo covers circa 5,533 square kilometers, which represents 4.6% of Bulgaria's national territory, ranking it the fifth largest province.[4] The capital city, also called Haskovo, is found in the northwestern part of the region. The city houses several historical and cultural landmarks, including the Bulgarian National Revival Houses.[6] Haskovo's history can be traced back approximately seven millennia, when the area was inhabited by ancient cultures, including Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations.[1] Scattered across Haskovo's territory are several archaeological and historical monuments from that era, including the Thracian complexes in the Kovan-Kaya area.[8] In terms of Haskovo's geography, the province covers the Upper Thracian Lowlands, the Haskovo hills, and parts of the Eastern Rhodopes, generally featuring lowland and undulating landscapes.[4] One of the natural protected areas in Haskovo Province is the Meanders of Byala Reka National Park, protecting a considerable number of rare or endangered animal and plant species.[5]
In Haskovo and its surroundings, people can explore various attractions. One of them is the Bulgarian National Revival Houses from the 19th century. These houses were owned by traders and crafters. Today, they display architectural heritage with fretwork ceilings, numerous windows, columns, and ornate details influenced by Plovdiv and other cities. Tourists can also visit the Haskovo Theatre, established in 1879. Though initially on a school stage, it laid the foundation for theatre activity. In 1919, amateur actors founded the Haskovo Drama Theatre, striving for artistic excellence. Located in the central city square for nearly 80 years, the Unknown Soldier Memorial honors soldiers from the Haskovo region who lost their lives during the Balkan Wars of 1912-1918, reflecting the town's history. Situated near Kasnakovo village, the Thracian sanctuary is Bulgaria's sole Nymphaeum, which has been designated a National Cultural Site.
Furthermore, Haskovo reportedly houses the world's largest statue of the Virgin Mary, cradling the infant Jesus and standing on Yamacha Hill. This 14-meter-high statue, set atop a 17-meter foundation, holds a place in the Guinness World Records and symbolizes the city.[6]
Visitors can find several cultural and historical sites connected to the Thracians in the Eastern Rhodopes region. These include remnants of Thracian villages, fortifications, burial sites, and sanctuaries, among others. One of the significant megalithic Thracian religious complexes can be found in the Kovan-Kaya area, near the village of Dolno Cherkovishte. This complex features a collection of over 100 niches carved into the rock, as well as a trapezoidal tomb cave. It is believed that these niches were used to house urns containing the ashes of cremated individuals.
Approximately 500 meters northwest of Dolno Cherkovishte is located another Thracian sanctuary. There, people can find six stone niches used for cult purposes and a tomb carved at the summit of a massive rock formation. In the vicinity, traces of a Thracian settlement have also been unearthed.[8] Furthermore, in December 2000, archaeologists led by Dr. Georgi Kitov made a discovery in the "Roshavata Chuka" mound near the village of Alexandrovo. They unearthed a unique tomb from the 4th century B.C. The tomb features a corridor leading through rectangular and circular chambers, with frescoes and architecture offering insights into Thracian life.
In May 2009, the Museum Center "Thracian Art in the Eastern Rhodopes" opened, displaying a replica of the Alexandrovo Tomb. This museum showcases regional Thracian cultural heritage, including artifacts from the Late Iron Age. Additionally, it features a gold treasure dating back to 4500-4000 B.C., among other exhibits.[9]
The Haskovo region's geography encompasses portions of the Upper Thracian Lowlands, the Haskovo hills, and sections of the Eastern Rhodopes, resulting in a combination of flat and undulating terrain. The Maritsa River, Bulgaria's deepest river, flows through the area as well. There are also mineral springs in Marichleri and Haskovski Mineralni Bani, which are utilized for therapeutic purposes. Various types of humus soils characterize the region's soil composition.
Furthermore, Haskovo contains lead-zinc ore deposits in Madjarovo, marble deposits in Topolovgrad and Ivaylovgrad, and some lignite coal extraction.[4]
Spanning 1,532 hectares in the southern part of Haskovo is the Meanders of Byala Reka National Park. This Eastern Rhodopes protected area in Bulgaria is home to diverse flora and fauna. Situated along the Byala Reka's meandering course, it harbors rare plant species and endangered animals, including the recently discovered Rhodope pike.
Home to over 100 butterfly species, it is rated second for the place with the most amount of butterflies in Bulgaria. Furthermore, the Byala Reka area offers herpetofauna, with seven amphibians and nineteen reptile species, among them the snake-eyed lizard, worm snake, and Caspian marsh turtle, all listed in Bulgaria's Red Book. The national park also houses spiny-legged and spiny-tailed turtles, recognized by the World Red List.
As part of the Ornithologically Important Site "Byala Reka," it attracts bird enthusiasts with 94 species, including 6 rare Mediterranean zone representatives. Notably, it provides a habitat for the globally endangered black vulture and nesting grounds for raptors such as the short-toed eagle and little eagle. Additionally, it safeguards the otter, a globally protected species.[5]
In terms of local weather conditions, Haskovo's transitional Mediterranean climate leads to warm summers, mild winters, and limited rainfall.[4] The warmest months in Haskovo are usually June, July, and August, with average temperatures peaking at 32°C during August. On the other hand, January tends to be the coldest time of the year, with average temperatures resting at 7°C.[7]
Archaeological findings suggest that Haskovo's roots date back approximately seven millennia. The region, including Haskovo and its vicinity, features a historical legacy spanning from prehistoric times through the eras of Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations. In the ninth century, within the First Bulgarian Empire, a fortress was constructed in Haskovo, later evolving into a town. This settlement occupied a strategic position at the heart of a substantial territory bounded by the Klokotnitsa, Harmanliyska, and Maritsa rivers.[1]
The fall of Haskovo to the Ottoman Empire reportedly marked a period of suffering for its inhabitants. In 1872, Vassil Levski, a Bulgarian liberation leader, established a secret revolutionary committee in Haskovo led by teacher Petar Berkovski. However, the organization was discovered, leading to the imprisonment of its most active members in Diarbkir. Consequently, Haskovo did not actively participate in the April Uprising of 1876.
Despite these events, the town endured the attacks of Turkish forces during the uprising, resulting in widespread destruction and death. The Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 eventually brought freedom. However, due to the conditions of the Berlin Congress, Haskovo fell under the jurisdiction of "Eastern Rumelia," a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire. The struggle for independence and reunification with Bulgaria persisted, leading to the formation of revolutionary committees known as "Unity," which worked toward Bulgaria's unification in 1885.[2]
In today's time, Haskovo's economic activities encompass industries such as the manufacturing of silk and cotton textiles, tobacco processing, vegetable packaging, and metalwork. The surrounding area is characterized by fertile land that supports significant agricultural pursuits, including viticulture, tobacco and cotton cultivation, and the breeding of silkworms.[3]
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