Haskovo is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria. The remains of traces of human life found in its vicinity date back to the 5th millennium BC. e. And then whoever didn’t live here. At first, the Thracian civilization flourished in Haskovo. Then the Proto-Bulgarians built fortresses to protect the borders of their state. And it was in this region that the spiritual flame of the Bulgarian Renaissance flared up. The unequivocal interest of people in settling these places is by no means accidental: the unique location in the hilly valley between the Eastern Rhodope Mountains and Stara Planina provided (and provides) the fastest direct route from Europe to Asia Minor and the Middle East. The abundance of archaeological sites and unique sculptures is why travelers come to Haskovo.

Bus number 15 runs from Burgas Airport to the city. Buses depart from the Central Bus Station to Haskovo every day at 13:00 and 16:30, traveling for 3 hours.

Having arrived at Sofia airport, you need to take buses No. 84 or 284 and get off at the Central Bus Station of the capital. From there, at 13:30 and 20:30, 2 comfortable buses of the carrier Arda Tur leave for Haskovo (office site in Bulgarian).

Search for air tickets to Sofia (closest airport to Haskovo)

Transport

Public transport in Haskovo is represented by trolleybuses, three routes of which connect all districts of the city. Bicycles can be rented at hotels. Parking along the streets and on hotel grounds is free, in the city center in “pockets” - paid during business hours.

Haskovo Hotels

There are not many hotels in Haskovo. But each of them looks very decent, and they offer accommodation at very reasonable prices. So, a double room in a two-star hotel costs 40-86 BGN, in a three-star hotel - 45-200 BGN per day. A night in a 4* hotel will cost 100-171 BGN. All options include breakfast. There are no hostels in the city, and apartments for a day cost 61-111 BGN, but there are very few of them for rent. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Cuisine and restaurants

Haskovo is still far from becoming a tourist Mecca, so catering establishments focus primarily on local residents. The city is dominated by taverns and simple cafes. Typical dishes: “katmi” - pancakes with honey and nuts, “sarmi” - cabbage rolls made from grape leaves, spinach soup. You can have a hearty dinner for 15-20 BGN per person without alcohol. There are also a couple of relatively expensive restaurants with prices 1.5 times higher.

The city has a large Turkish community, so it’s hard to imagine local fast food without “duner” - shawarma with chicken or lamb for 5-6 BGN.

Sights of Haskovo

The city is rich in interesting architectural objects, most of which were built relatively recently. Since Haskovo has the unofficial title of the city of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is logical that there is a monument dedicated to the Mother of God. Moreover, it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The impressive 31 m tall statue can be seen from everywhere, even at night. There is a small chapel on the pedestal.

Next to the statue of the Virgin Mary is the bell tower. The 30-meter tower was built in 2010 solely with donations from local residents. At its top there are 8 bells weighing more than a ton and an observation deck.

Another notable high-rise monument is the Clock Tower. It was erected at the beginning of the 19th century as a symbol of the city's economic recovery. But in 1913, local authorities decided to demolish the tower, and in 2012 - restore it. The structure, made of hewn Uzundzhov stone, rises 23 m. At the top there are 3 dials, and the hour bell was cast in the legendary British foundry Whitechapel - it once made the bell of Big Ben and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Like the bell tower, the clock tower in Haskovo was restored with donations from the townspeople.

The Historical Museum contains 120 thousand cultural heritage monuments.

The Haskovo Historical Museum houses more than 120 thousand cultural heritage monuments of primitive, ancient and medieval times (office site). Among the most interesting exhibits are two glasses of the Trojan type from the 1st century BC. e. An exceptionally valuable collection of ancient and medieval coins is also presented. In the ethnographic department you can see copper vessels, national costumes, fabrics, jewelry, agricultural and craft tools, and folk art.

25 km from Haskovo, near the village of Aleksandrovo, there is an ancient monument of Thracian culture - the Alexander Tomb, one of the largest in Bulgaria (office site). Superbly preserved wall paintings give an idea of ​​Thracian religious rituals, weapons, and clothing. In 2009, the Museum of Thracian Art in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains opened next to the tomb. Among its most important exhibits are 98 gold appliqués made 6,000 years ago, discovered in the northern part of Mount Sakar - this is one of the oldest examples of gold processing in Bulgaria. An exact copy of Alexander’s tomb was erected right in the museum.

Haskovo has a population of 80,870 and is 200 meters above sea level. It is located on the banks of the Haskovska River, among the Haskovo Hills in the foothills of the Eastern Rhodope. City - 225 km southeast of Sofia; 64 km south of Stara Zagora and 70 km northwest of Svilengrad. It is one of the oldest settlements - Bulgaria (in 1985, Haskovo celebrated its 1000th anniversary). It is the regional administrative center.

The first settlement on this territory dates from about 7,000 BC in the neolith period. During its existence, the city experienced countless periods of rebirth and decay. During the first half of the 13th century, the history of Haskovo witnessed one of the most successful battles in Bulgarian history - the Battle of Klokotnitsa (a nearby village bearing the same name). On March 9th, 1230, Tsar Ivan Assen II (1218-1241) inflicted a crushing defeat on the Byzantine Empire, which violated the peace treaty. The battle of Klokotnitsa later turned out to be an event of enormous importance for the entire future of Bulgaria.

Haskovo developed into a craftsmen's settlement although much smaller than the nearby village of Uzundzhovo, which hosted a large fair. In fact, Haskovo was called Haskovo for some time. Haskoj Uzundzhovo.

Haskovo was liberated on January 19, 1878 by General Goerko? s army. After the Balkan Wars, the city's population grew rapidly as a result of incoming refugees from Aegean Thrace. Gradually, it developed as a tobacco producing center in Bulgaria.

The city is a university center and hosts the Territorial Systems and Faculty of Administration with the University of National and World Economy, Sofia.

Haskovo has bus and rail transport facilities. This is a stop on the European motorway transaction to the Middle East. More than 54 bus lines guarantee transport connections to Dimitrovgrad, Harmanli, Lyubimets, Svilengrad, Stambolov and many other cities and villages in and outside the region. City - station along Ruse - Tulovo - Podkova railway line. In addition to the central railway station, there are several other stops throughout the city. 11 regular buses and intercity trolley lines operate within Haskovo.

Kenana Park is a beautiful natural park adjacent to the city offering excellent recreational, sports and tourism opportunities, located 2 kilometers southwest of the city.

Haskovo Mineral Baths is a balneological resort of national importance, located 15 kilometers west of the city (regular, hourly bus line to Haskovo). The 12 mineral water springs have a temperature of 48.5°C and a production rate of 35 liters per second. Water is excellent for joint and other bone structure (dorsal) disorders and some gynecological deaths are cured, too. There is an open mineral pool. The resort is the starting point for hiking tours along marked trails through the Eastern Rhodope.

From Baths you can reach Sharapanite in about an hour's walk. Sharapani are unique Thracian wineries - huge grape vessels carved into plain rock and connected to channels to transport liquid.

7 kilometers north-west of the city and 2 kilometers from the village of Klokotnitsa, one can find the remains of the Assenov Fortress (Hisarya) (the fortress of Tsar Ivan Assen II) as well as a memorial in honor of the battle of 1230, when Tsar Ivan Asen II captured the Despot of Epirus - Zeodore Komnenos. Nearby is a large tourist complex. There are regular bus lines to Haskovo.

At a distance of 20 kilometers from Haskovo, nearby the village of Aleksandrovo, just off the Maritsa Highway connecting Europe with Asia, scientists excavated a domed Thracian tomb dating back to the second half of the 4th century BC. The wall is covered with a display of paintings, hunting scenes with 7 horsemen, 4 men on foot, 2 deer, 2 wild hogs and 9 hunting dogs. The scenes have a unique artistic value, faithful, expressive, and unprecedented in Thracian art until now.

The Nymphs' Refuge is located 10 kilometers to the north-west of the city, near the village of Kasnakovo. Izvora na Belonogata - Tourist Complex - 37 km east of Haskovo.

Excursions to Haskovo from private guides and travel agencies.
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Haskovo- an ancient Bulgarian town, which is comfortably located at the very foot of the Rhodope Mountains.

In Bulgaria he has preserved wonderful historical monuments. Visiting Haskovo will be interesting for tourists who are interested in the history of the country and love cultural leisure.

Thus, in Haskovo you can admire the elegant statue of the Virgin Mary, which towers over the city and is visible even at night. Interestingly, this Haskovo landmark is included in the Guinness Book of Records. The historical sights of the town are also interesting.

By the way, there is also something to see outside of Haskovo, so we recommend that tourists, after staying at the Haskovo hotel and seeing the sights of the resort, do not stop there and do not leave the city, but spend a few more days exploring its surroundings.

It should be noted that Haskovo is also an excellent balneological resort. It is believed that Haskovo mineral springs can cure all diseases without exception!

Despite the rather modest size of the resort, the city has hotels of various categories, cozy restaurants and cafes.

While relaxing at the Haskovo resort in Bulgaria, you can feel the atmosphere of pristine Bulgaria, untouched by political unrest. Holidays in Haskovo are peaceful - check it out for yourself!

Video from Haskovo

The sights of Haskovo are a variety of cultural and historical monuments. First of all, we recommend that tourists visit such an interesting sight in Haskovo as the Historical Museum. While visiting this wonderful place, tourists can learn a lot of interesting things about the traditions of the Bulgarian people and local curious...

Haskovo: excursions and activities

This is a visit to numerous attractions that are located near the city.

Thus, 15 km from the Haskovo resort are the famous Haskovo mineral baths. It is here that tourists can visit 12 mineral water springs, the temperature of which is about +50C. Also at these springs there is a swimming pool, the water of which, of course, is mineral.

If you drive 7 km from Haskovo to the village of Klokotnitsa, you can admire the ruins of the Asenova Fortress, as well as examine the beautiful monument that was erected here in honor of the historical battle.

At a distance of 20 km from the resort (the village of Alexandrovo) there are monuments of the Thracian period. So, here you can see a bathing tomb, which dates back to the 4th century BC. Pay attention to the walls of this tomb, the paintings of which are interesting and highly valued from an artistic point of view.

History of Haskovo

The history of Haskovo is the history of an ancient settlement, which is considered one of the oldest in Bulgaria. Interestingly, traces of the first settlements were discovered in these territories about 7 thousand years ago. It is noteworthy that the name of the resort changed several times: the city was called Marsa, Haskey (in...

Climate in Haskovo

The climate of Haskovo has the features of a temperate continental one. It is very soft and healthy. In winter it does not get very cold here, in summer the weather is surprisingly pleasant, and even in autumn tourists are not bothered by wind and dampness. Thanks to the forest surrounding the resort, the air in Haskovo is very clean and fresh.

Haskovo: entertainment and active recreation

Kenana Park, which is located 2 km from the resort, provides tourists with excellent opportunities for an active pastime in Haskovo. It’s nice not only to walk here, but also to ride a bike, rollerblade, or do yoga.

Treatment at the resort Haskovo Haskovo mineral baths are available for guests. Here you can swim in the mineral water pool.

Relaxing in Haskovo in the evenings is extremely pleasant: the streets of Haskovo are well lit, there are cafes and bars, many shops, and several nightclubs.

In addition, the cultural life of Haskovo is also interesting: for example, every April the resort of Haskovo hosts the “Southern Spring” literature days. In May, tourists flock to Haskovo for the folk art festival with the attractive name “Beautiful Thrace Sings and Dances.” And in September, the resort welcomes guests to a jazz festival.

Transport features of Haskovo

Haskovo transport is a taxi that a tourist can call from every city hotel and go anywhere in the city and beyond.

The city of Haskovo in Bulgaria is pleasant to travel on foot or on a rented bicycle.

Let us add that Haskovo has its own airport - a former military air base. Currently, Haskovo Airport serves some civil flights.

Treatment at the Haskovo resort in Bulgaria

Among tourist countries, Bulgaria occupies one of the first places. Unique nature, warm sea, golden sand beaches, but that’s not all this country has. Thermal waters are the most valuable resource that allows you to create wonderful balneological resorts. On the territory of Bulgaria, a huge amount, more than 800, of mineral sources comes to the surface. lakes, where the water temperature ranges from 40 to 100 degrees Celsius. The springs have been used for centuries, and in places where there are especially many of them, settlements were created, which gradually became cities.

One of the oldest cities in Bulgaria is the city of Haskovo. Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient settlement on the site of Haskovo, which is 7,000 years old. The modern city of Haskovo is located in south-central Bulgaria. It is separated from Sofia by more than two hundred kilometers, and from Plovdiv by 75 km. Today Haskovo is a regional center. Haskovo mineral baths are located 15 kilometers from Haskovo. There are 12 mineral water springs in the resort area. The water temperature at the surface is about 50 degrees. There is also an outdoor swimming pool filled with mineral water. Mineral waters are used very widely in the Haskovo resort. These include therapeutic and restorative procedures, and general strengthening and r
relaxation effect.

The mineral waters produced at the Haskovo resort allow for effective treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The resort treats diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the spine, and gynecological diseases. Various inflammations, traumatic complications of the musculoskeletal system, as well as mental, neurological injuries and concussions can be treated here. Various chronic and occupational diseases are also treated with mineral waters. Tourists who have cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases come to the Haskovo resort. The favorable climate of these places also contributes to the treatment of various diseases. Mild winters, warm summers, long, cool autumns. The air in the Haskovo resort is mountainous and clean. The resort is surrounded by dense forests. at the resort allows one family member to receive treatment while everyone else can exercise. The resort has all the conditions for active sports: hiking, cycling, swimming in pools.