Haskovo (population: 80 870, 200 meters above sea level) is located at the banks of Haskovska River, among Haskovo Hills at the foothills of the Eastern Rhodopes. The town is 225 km and 75 km to the south-east of Sofia and Plovdiv, respectively; 64 km and 16 km south of Stara Zagora and Dimitrovgrad, respectively; 50 km north-east of Kurdzhali and 70 km north-west of Svilengrad. It is one of the oldest settlements is Bulgaria (in 1985 Haskovo celebrated it 1000th anniversary). It is a regional administrative centre. History: The first settlement on this territory dates back to around 7 000 years BC in the neolith period. Throughout its existence, the town experienced innumerable periods of revival and decay. During the first half of 13th century near Haskovo history witnessed one of the most successful battles in Bulgarian history - the Battle of Klokotnitsa (nearby the village bearing the same name). On 9th March 1230 Tsar Ivan Assen II (1218-1241) inflicted a smashing defeat of the Byzantine Empire, which had violated the peace treaty. The battle at Klokotnitsa later proved to have been an event of immense importance for the entire future of Bulgaria. The town developed into a settlement of craftsmen although much smaller than the near village of Uzundzhovo, which hosted a big fair. In fact, during some time Haskovo was called "Haskyoi by Uzundzovo". The town was liberated on 19 January 1878 by General Gourko's army. After the Balkan Wars the population of the town grew rapidly as a result of the incoming refugees from the Aegean Thrace. Gradually, it developed as the tobacco-producing centre in Bulgaria. The town is the birthplace of the noted Bulgarian scientist and social activist - Prof. Assen Zlatarov and the famous violin player Nedyalka Simeonova. Transport: Haskovo has bus and railway transport facilities. This is a stop along the Trans-European motorway to the Middle East. Over 54 bus lines ensure the transport connections with Dimitrovgrad, Harmanli, Lyubimets, Svilengrad, Stambolov and many other towns and villages in and outside of the region. The bus station is not far from the railway station The town is a station along the Rousse - Toulovo - Podkova railway line. Apart from the central railway station there are several other stops on the territory of the town. 11 regular bus and trolley inter-town lines line operate within Haskovo. Surrounding areas: Kenana Park is a beautiful natural park adjacent to the town offering excellent opportunities for recreation, sports and tourism, located 2 kilometres south-west of the town. The Haskovo Mineral Baths is a balneological resort of national importance, located 15 kilometres west of the town (regular, hourly bus line to Haskovo). The 12 mineral water springs have a temperature of 48.5°C and an output rate of 35 liters per second. The water is excellent for joint and other bone-structure (spinal) disorders and some gynaecological deceases are cured, as well. There is an open mineral pool. The resort is a starting point for hiking tours along marked tracks through the Eastern Rhodopes (refer to the Rhodope Mountains related chapter herein). From the Baths one can reach the Sharapanite in about an hour's walk. The Sharapani are unique Thracian wineries - enormous grape vessels carved out in plain rock and connected with channels for transporting the fluid (I millennium BC). 7 kilometres to the north-west of the town and 2 kilometres from the village of Klokotnitsa one can find the remains of the Assenova Kre-post (Hissarya) (The fortress of Tsar Ivan Assen II) as well as the memorial in honour of the battle of 1230, when Tsar Ivan Asen II captured the Despot of Epir - Theodor Kom-nin. Close by is a big tourist complex. Regular bus-lines to Haskovo. 20 kilometres away from Haskovo, nearby the village of Alexandrovo, immediately by Maritsa Motorway connecting Europe with Asia, the scientists have excavated a Thracian domed tomb dating back to the second half of the 4th century BC. The wall is covered with paintings displaying hunting scenes with 7 riders, 4 people on foot, 2 deer, 2 wild boars and 9 hunt dogs. The scenes are of unique artistic value, true, expressive, and unparalleled in the Thracian art up to now. The Sanctuary of the Nymphs is located 10 kilometres to the north-west of the town, near the village of Kasnakovo (refer to Dimitrovgrad section herein). Izvora na Belonogata Tourist Complex is 37 km east of Haskovo (4 km east of Harmanli). Remarkable is the old drinking fountain built in 1585 the legend of which inspired the great Bulgarian poet P. R. Slaveikov to write the poem of the same name, translated as "The spring of the white-legged maiden" which gave the name of the tourist complex. Accessible by regular bus-lines.
