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Smolyan is a town in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. It occupies the narrow gorge of the Cherna River in the East Rhodope Mountains, and has 34 000 residents. Once the Slavs' tribe of smolyani inhabited the area and gave the name of the settlement. The magnificent nature, mild climate, its closeness to the mountain and the Pamporovo resort attract tourists all year round. It became a town in 1960 after unifying three villages- Smolyan, Raykovo and Ustovo.

Get in[edit]

The 300-year-old chinar (plane tree) in Smolyan

It lies 12 km from the Pamporovo resort, 45 km from Devin, 102 km from Plovdiv and 260 km from the capital Sofia.

Get around[edit]

See[edit]

Numerous houses and churches from 17th-19th centuries have been preserved up to the present day. Some of them are: "Pangalov’s house" (1860), "Sgurov’s house" (1866), "Alibeev’s town- hall" (1751), "Kelev’s house" (1860), etc.

The architectural and ethnographic reserve called Cheshitska mahala is located in the district of Raykovo.

  • St. Visarion Smolenski. The second biggest Bulgarian Christian temple.
  • Stoyu Shishkov Regional History Museum, +359 30 162 770. Provides information about the history of the region.
  • Town Art Gallery.

Do[edit]

There is a planetarium and a Drama Theater

  • Rhodope Drama Theater.

Buy[edit]

Eat[edit]

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Sleep[edit]

Go next[edit]

Smolyan is a starting point for many mountain routes. The Smolyan lakes and the Smolyan waterfall are located not far from the town.

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