LOCATION

Town of Smolian (34 641 residents, 850-1050m) altitude is situated in the narrow defile of Cherna river, in the most beautiful part of the Rhodopy mountain.The town is located 260 km away from Sofia, 103 km away from Plovdiv, 46 away from Devin and 16 km south from the resort Pamporovo.

HISTORY

Smolian is created in 1960 when three villages:
Smolian, Raikovo, and Ustovo become a town.
Smolian appears on the place of the lost village Ezerovo which has been situated around the lakes above Smolian.In 17th century when the Ottoman imperia tries to impose the Isliam, it kills part of local residents while others try succeed to run in mountain, and those who accept the Isliam are located around Cherna river there where is situated today's town.The new settlement is called "Pashmakli". The name "Smolian" appears after the Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman slavery in honour of the Slav tribe-"smoliani" who has lived round this region.
In past the village of Raikovo has been a craft center, and Ustovo-a big trade centar.

LANDMARKS

10 km away from Smolian is situated the village Momchilovci.The authentic rhodopian architecture, the ethnographical museum , the intereseting customs and traditions, the sotf and pleasant climat in all seasons, the local cousine, the incredibly beautiful and ecological pure nature , the numerous family hotels overturn the village in favourite place for rest and tourism. There is a regular bus line for Smolian and Chepelare.
The monastery St. Atanas and the legendary peak "Kraliow" are located in south, in the rhodopian part of "Kainadina".

Landmars in district of Smolian:
The Meramov's house, the Sariev's house and other house of Bulgarian national revival.The bridge of Cherna river is built in beginning of 18th century.The PLANETARIUM in Smolian is the biggest in the Bulgaria- "20 Bulgaria Boulevard"- phone for contact +359/0301/2-30-74
The historic museum in the city possess thousands masterpieces of art.

Landmarks in district of Raikovo:
The Pangalov's house is an architecture and cultural monument from 1860.The Ali Bei resting place-here was built a ossuary in honour of killed population for the liberation of Raikovo from the Ottoman slavery.

The church St."Nedelia"is with rich decorated iconostasis and the "Mausoleum" fountain.

Landmarks in district Ustovo:
The copper bazaar-and old market for copper articles.
The Hadjiivanovs's house which was served for headquarters of Russian army in the war for liberation (1877-1878).Here are located the Sheremetevs's house, Tankov's house, Hadjichonev's house.The church St."Nikolas" is remarkable for its mural painting and original architecture.
In Rhodopic drama theathre are palyed a various plays.

Transport:
There is a regular bus lines for Sofia, Plovdiv, Kardjali, Asenovgrad, Chepelare,Pamporovo.

Bus stations in the town:
-Bus station in Ustovo +359/0301/6-45-85
-Bus station in district of Smolian +359/0301/6-31-04

ENVIRONS

-16 km away from the town is situated one of the most biggest resorts - Pamporovo
-10 km north from Smolian are the Lakes of smolian called the "emerald eyes" of the Rhodopi ountain.
-20 km away from Smolian in the valley of Arda river is village of Mogilica. Among the beautiful renaissance houses is the Agushevs's resting place. The building is unique with its 221 windows, 86 doors 24 chimneys.The legend tells that this incredible piece of art was made from unknown master-builder who's right hand has been cut from Agush Aga in order to be sure that such masterpiece of art will be never created.This is the one middle feudal castle in the Balkan peninsula.Around the village there is at about 20 caves , the most interesting between them is "Uhlovica" cave.
-24 km away from Smolian is architectural and ethnographical reserve Shiroka Laka.