From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Karlovo (Bulgarian: Карлово) is a town in central Bulgaria located in a fertile valley along the river Stryama at the southern foot of the Balkan Mountains. It is administratively part of Plovdiv Province and has a population of about 28,321 (as of 2005), the mayor being Emil Kabaivanov of the UDF.^GRBulgaria Karlovo lies at 42°38′N 24°48′E, 386 m above sea level.

Karlovo is famous for the worldwide-known rose oil, which is grown there and used in producing perfume. In addition to this, Karlovo is the birthplace of Vasil Levski, the most distinguished Bulgarian to start preparing the national liberation from the Ottoman rule in the late 19th century. There is a museum and large monument dedicated to him. Karlovo is also a popular location for tourism in the region.

The town originated in the 14th century, but grew in importance in the 19th century as a centre of Bulgarian culture and revolutionary activity.

During the 2000s, Bulgarian archaeologists made discoveries in Central Bulgaria which were summarized as "The Valley of the Thracian Kings". On 19 August 2005, some archaeologists announced they had found the first Thracian capital, which was situated near Karlovo in Bulgaria. A lot of polished ceramic artifacts (pieces of roof-tiles and Greek-like vases) were discovered revealing the fortune of the city. The Bulgarian Ministry of Culture declared its support to the excavations.

Karlovo is the seat of Karlovo municipaluty (part of Plovdiv Province), which includes the following 27 places (towns in bold):

Banya Beguntsi Bogdan Dabene Domlyan Gorni Domlyan Hristo Danovo Iganovo Kalofer Karavelovo Karlovo Karnare Kliment Klisura

Kurtovo Marino Pole Moskovets Mrachenik Pevtsite Prolom Rozino Slatina Sokolitsa Stoletovo Vasil Levski Vedrare Voynyagovo

• Botyo Petkov (1815–1869), teacher and father of Hristo Botev
• Evlogi Georgiev (1819–1897), merchant, banker and undertaker
• Ivan Bogorov (c. 1820–1892), encyclopedist
• Vasil Levski (1837–1873), revolutionary and national hero of Bulgaria
• Hristo Prodanov (1943–1984), first Bulgarian to climb Mount Everest

• Official web site (in Bulgarian and English)
• [http://www.karlovobg.eu/ Info site about the region of Karlovo (in Bulgarian and English)

Cities and towns in Bulgaria

Aytos | Asenovgrad | Blagoevgrad | Botevgrad | Burgas | Dimitrovgrad | Dobrich | Dupnitsa | Gabrovo | Gorna Oryahovitsa | Gotse Delchev | Harmanli | Haskovo | Karlovo | Karnobat | Kazanlak | Kardzhali | Kyustendil | Lom | Lovech | Montana | Nova Zagora | Panagyurishte | Pazardzhik | Pernik | Petrich | Pleven | Plovdiv | Razgrad | Rousse | Samokov | Sandanski | Sevlievo | Shumen | Silistra | Sliven | Smolyan | Sofia | Stara Zagora | Svishtov | Targovishte | Troyan | Varna | Veliko Tarnovo | Velingrad | Vidin | Vratsa | Yambol