Smolyan - details and images

Smolyan is a small and picturesque town in the heart of the Rodope Mountains. This magnificent town enchants visitors with interesting combination of old and modern architecture, influenced by the majesty of the great mountain.

Smolyan is just 15 kilometers away from the world famous ski- resort Pamporovo and 260 km south of Sofia. Plovdiv is just 103 km south of Plovdiv.
History: The town is famous for its history. During the Ottoman rule, the local people were subject of pursuit to change their belief and just a few of them survived in the mountain.

A lot of interesting historical monuments are preserved in this cosy town.
There are several preserved houses from the National revival period- Mermovata, Pridasova and some others. The arc bridge (Beiska kupria) over Cherna River (the Black River) was built in XVIII century. The natural reserve “Chinarat” –this is a 250 year old three.
The historical museum of the Middle parts of the Rodope Mountains and of course the biggest Planetarium in Bulgaria on Bulgaria Boulevard. The Rodope Mountains Smolyan is surrounded by numerous interesting sites, that worth to be visited.

Smolynski lakes are protected area with splendid landscape- mountain lakes with coniferous forest, varied marsh plant life. They are known as the “emerald eyes of the Rodope Mountains.” They used to be twenty, but now there are just 7 preserved. The whole region is like a natural park.

Smolyan is also a starting position for different mountain routes along the western part of the Rodope Mountains.

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