What Pazardzhik is known for

Pazardzhik town houses various cultural and historical attractions. One of them is Bulgaria's oldest theater, the Drama and Puppet Theatre Konstantin Velichkov. Established in 1870, it offers a 470-seat auditorium and a 100-seat chamber hall, presenting a variety of plays from classics to contemporary works both locally and nationally. In the city can also be found the Stanislav Dospevski Art Gallery, established in 1963, showcasing Bulgarian fine arts from the late 19th century to the present, with over 10,000 works by different artists spanning various genres and art movements. The gallery includes branches such as the Stanislav Dospevski House Museum, the Georgi Gerasimov House Museum, and an open-air exhibition of Velichko Minekov's art. The city's other attractions include the clock tower; the Church of the Dormition, renowned for its UNESCO-protected wood-carved iconostasis; and a historic post office.[2] Furthermore, the Pazardzhik's Regional Museum of History offers an Ethnographical Exhibition, which is housed in a Baroque building constructed in 1850. Established in 1974, the exhibition showcases the spiritual and material culture of Pazardzhik's people up to the mid-20th century. The first two floors display architectural models and pictures of buildings from the region, with a central map of the Pazardzhik Region. Rural house interiors and craft equipment for cotton, flax, hemp, and wool processing, including looms, are featured. There are reconstructions of a shoemaker's shop, a tailor's shop, and a furrier's workshop. The exhibition also includes living rooms from both poor and wealthy urban families, traditional costumes, jewelry, and musical instruments, offering insights into the region's customs and holidays.[7]

People who prefer outdoor recreation can visit the Batak Dam resort, located about eight kilometers from Batak town. Batak Dam is a fishing spot, with the nearby Golyama Syutkya Peak in the Rhodope Mountains offering hiking opportunities. Moreover, the lake also supports various water sports, namely boating and jet skiing. Winter enthusiasts can use a 1,500-meter ski track with slopes for beginners, equipped with rope lifts and a ski cloakroom. Numerous lodging options are available, and nearby towns offer cultural and historical attractions.[8] In close proximity to Batak Dam is located Snejanka Cave, which was first uncovered by a group of climbers in 1961. An 800-meter eco path leads to the cave's entrance, where visitors can observe various cave formations. The cave, stretching 145 meters and maintaining a relatively constant temperature of 8°C, ranks among Bulgaria's seven largest caves, with more than 600,000 stalactites, earning it the title of an "underground palace." It comprises various chambers, including the "Hall of Udders," "Great Hall," "Music Hall" connected to "Landslip," and "The Magic Room," where nature has formed a figure resembling the fairy heroine "Snow White," inspiring the cave's name. Designated as a natural landmark in 1979, Snejanka Cave reportedly attracts over 10,000 visitors annually.[9]

Geography

In terms of its geographical location, the Pazardzhik Region is situated along roadways that have historically connected Western and Central Europe to the Middle East and Asia. This position has played a role in the region's development over the centuries. The Pazardzhik Region encompasses various geographical features, including portions of the Western Rhodopes, Rila, Sredna Gora Proper, Ihtiman Stredna Gora, and the western end of the Pazardzhik-Plovdiv plain. The terrain varies from flat and rolling landscapes to mountainous areas. Pazardzhik's territory is crisscrossed by the river Maritsa and its major tributaries, including the Yadenitsa, Chepinska, Stara Reka, and Luda Yana. Additionally, there are thermal mineral springs located in various places such as Velingrad, Nelovo, Varvara, Bratsigovo, Strelcha, and Banya. Pazardzhik soil types vary, ranging from fertile soils in the Pazardzhik-Plovdiv plain to less fertile soils in the mountainous regions. Furthermore, over half of the region's territory is covered by forests. Reportedly, deciduous forests are prevalent in the Sredna Gora and parts of the Rhodopes, while coniferous forests dominate in the Rhodopes.[4]

Pazardzhik Province encompasses a relatively small portion of the Rila National Park which can be found in the western part of the territory. In total, the park spans four provinces: Pazardzhik, Sofia, Kyustendil, and Blagoevgrad, with the nearest town being Borovets. This region is home to over 120 permanent and 30 temporary glacial lakes, including the Seven Rila Lakes. Additionally, numerous springs in the park feed rivers such as the Iskar, Maritsa, and Mesta, providing fresh water for municipalities and even the capital, Sofia, as well as neighboring countries. Concerning local landscapes, four nature reserves within the park are part of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme and include Central Rila Reserve, Ibar Reserve, Parangalitsa Reserve, and Skakavitsa Reserve. Generally, forests cover about 66% of the park's area, hosting a diverse range of plant and animal species. There are 1,400 species of vascular plants, 280 moss species, and 130 types of freshwater algae. The park also hosts a variety of fauna, with 99 bird species, 48 mammal species, 20 reptile species, and 5 fish species, totaling 2,934 species within the park. Some of the endemic plant species include the Rodopean lily, while protected wildlife includes brown bears, wolves, Balkan lynxes, and various bird species, among them the endangered saker falcon and imperial eagle.[5] 

The climate in the Pazardzhik region varies from transitional continental in the flatland to mountainous in the highland areas.[4] Pazardzhik area experiences the warmest weather during summer, namely the months of July and August, with August's average temperatures peaking at 29°C. January tends to be the coldest, with a 6°C average.[6]

History

The Pazardzhik Province in Bulgaria has a history dating back to ancient times. It was inhabited by Thracians, with the remains of the Thracian town Besapara located in the region. The Panagyurishte Treasure—made of 23-karat gold and dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries BC—is a notable Thracian artifact found in the area. Later, the area became part of the Roman province and Byzantine Empire. During the early 9th century, it was part of the Bulgarian Empire and remained so until the fall of the First Bulgarian Empire. The Second Bulgarian Empire later reclaimed the region until the Ottoman Empire conquered it in the late 14th century. The area played a considerable role in the April Uprising of 1876 against Ottoman rule, with Panagyurishte at its center. After the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878, the region was initially part of Eastern Rumelia but later incorporated into the Principality of Bulgaria in 1885. It witnessed the presence of Red Army troops in 1944 and experienced changes in territorial boundaries. In 2015, the Sarnitsa Municipality was established, making it the newest municipality in the province and Bulgaria.[1]

In terms of the history of the province's capital city, Pazardzhik, the first settlers were recorded in the 7th millennium BC. Later the Thracians, one of the region's earliest known tribes, inhabited the region. The city was founded in the Middle Ages by various nomadic groups, with different historical accounts pointing to its establishment in the late 14th century. Pazardzhik experienced significant development in the 16th century with the introduction of rice cultivation and the influence of Akıncı families. It played a role in the Bulgarian national awakening in the 19th century, with Vasil Levski and Georgi Benkovski leading revolutionary activities. The Russo-Turkish War in 1877-1878 had an impact on the city, but it was reportedly spared planned destruction. Pazardzhik saw industrial growth after World War II and underwent changes during Bulgaria's communist era, including the establishment of a secret concentration camp. The city also witnessed demonstrations in the late 1980s, leading to political changes.[2]

Today, Pazardzhik is a town located in west-central Bulgaria, positioned along the upper Maritsa River. This town serves as a railway junction and functions as an industrial hub with a focus on various sectors, including textiles, rubber, furniture, engineering, and the processing of agricultural products. The town has a historical heritage with artifacts displayed in the National Museum. A notable attraction in the town is the Church of the Virgin Mary, partially submerged in the ground, which houses examples of Bulgarian carvings.[3]