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Central Southern Bulgaria :: Chirpan
Introduction, History & Landmarks

Chirpan (20 468 citizens, 180 meters above sea level) is located in the central part of the Gornotrakiiska (Upper Thracian)

Lowland mostly along the left bank of Tekirska River.
Chirpan is located 201 km south-east of Sofia, 51 km east of Plovdiv and 39 km south-west of Stara Zagora. Chirpan is the birthplace of the great Bulgarian poet Peyo Yavorov.

History: Chirpan is considered the heir to the Roman settlement Sherampol, which was established close to the Roman town of

Pizus (the Hissarluka Area close to the village of Rupkite, 7 kilometres to the north of today’s Chirpan). Chirpan has been accepted that Sherampol (translated “the city of nice friends”) was established by fleeing refugees. The present name of the Chirpan is supposed to derive from the Roman Sheramnol although todays town emerged at a much later stage - most probably in
the 17th century around Tekira Springs under the name of Dzherpan. During the Bulgarian Revival (18th - 19th century) the settlement grew as a town with well-developed agriculture and crafts. During the struggle for the independence of the Bulgarian Church it was the people of Chirpan who made the first sacrifices - Velko Boyadziyata and Kaba Ivan. After the Liberation crafts were in decay due to the loss of markets in the Ottoman Empire but in their place vine-growing and wine-making underwent a rapid development. The Chirpan was severely hit by the earthquake of 1928. Chirpan is the birthplace of the great Bulgarian lyric and revolutionary Peyo Kracholov Yavorov, of the painter Georgi Danchov – Zografina, one of Levski’s comrades, of the painter Nikola Manev known far beyond Bulgarian borders and of the poet Dimitur Danailov.

Landmarks: The Museum of History and Archaeology. House-Museum “P. K. Yavorov” (22, Kracholovi Str., in the centre of the Chirpan). Among the personal belongings are the inkpot and the watch of the poet as well as a part of his library. The house of G. Danchov (the centre of the Chirpan, now an entertainment establishment offering Bulgarian cuisine) is a supreme example of Bulgarian Revival Art. Tyankov’s House and Manchev’s House stand out with their exceptional architectural design of the past century. One of the few remaining horse-driven mills in the country is preserved in the yard of the latter. Both houses are now modern restaurants with authentic 19th century interior, which make them unique attractions to all visitors. One of
the most interesting and best-preserved houses from the beginning of the 20th century now hosts Bulbank Office. The Holy Mother Church, built in 1846 is one of the 4 oldest churches of its kind in the Chirpan. Every year Chirpan celebrates January Days of Yavorov - a festival of literature and art in honour of the great poet. Every odd year the Chirpan hosts the National Contest for Country Music Performers “Atanaska Todorova" in memory of the great Chirpan born singer.

Accommodation: Chirpan Hotel (3-star, 9, Yavorov Str.). The Chirpan has good restaurants and entertainment facilities among which one may note the 3-star Park Tavern, located in the Chirpan’s central park. Tourist information - at the hotels, at the Town-Hall (1, Suedinenie Bld. at the very centre of Chirpan) as well as at Srednogorets Tourist Association (in the centre, tel.: 0416 2425).

Transport: Chirpan is located on the major motor- and railway line Sofia – Plovdiv - Bourgas and maintains regular bus connections with Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Dimitrovgrad, Haskovo, Parvomai and other towns in the region. The bus station (Industrialen Quarter, P. K. Yavorov Str., tel.: 0416 3214, 2295) and the railway station are near in the eastern part of the Chirpan. All express and passenger trains stop at Chirpan railway station.

Surrounding areas: Merichleri Balneological Resort is located 17 kilometres to the east of the Chirpan. It's mineral waters have a temperature of 34°C and an output rate of 12-15 litres/min. The water is excellent for curing intestinal diseases, liver and gall dosorders. One can reach the resort by the regular bus or by the train to Dimitrovgrad. 8 km north-east of Chirpan one can visit the remains of the Roman fortress (Sherampol - see the text above). The Granitski oak-tree is the oldest tree in Bulgaria (over 1600 years of age) and stands in the village of Granit (20 kilometres north-west of the Chirpan, easily accessible by regular bus). The Kamenna Svatba (the “stone wedding”) is a natural phenomenon of stone 25 km north-west of Chirpan and 2 km from the village of Medovo with regular bus lines. Yagach Hunting Park (5 km west of the town) is an excellent place for recreation, sports and hunting. There is a municipality owned villa where - against modest prices - one may check-in for the night. The Ethnographic Museum in the village of Spasovo (8 km to the north with regular bus lines) is another point of interest;
the key is hold at the mayor’s office).

Climate:The town of Chirpan is located in the central part of Bulgaria and includes a part of the Sredna Gora mountains (the Chirpan heights), and a the Maritsa River valley which runs through the Upper Thracian Plains. The minicipality region covers an area of 524,025 decares with an average altitude of 400 meters above sea level.The climate in the region is temperately continental; soils are rich, thus conducive to the development of agriculture.Although scarce in natural resources, there are some sporadic deposits of non-metal minerals which are utilized for local needs. The natural mineral water springs are not utilized and provide a great opportunity for the outside investor interested in bottling and exporting quality natural spring water.
The population of the municipality numbers 30,000 residing in the town of Chirpan and the remaining villages. The region has a rich ancient history evidenced by the Karasura archeological excavations.Chirpan is the cultural and economic center of their region and the residence of the municipal administration. The Chirpan is the birthplace of a number of famous Bulgarian artists and musicians, most notably Peyo Yavorov, one of Bulgaria's greatest poets.
Agriculture is the major sector of the regional economy with 279,000 decares of arable land owned and cultivated mostly by private cooperatives and partnerships. Eighty-three percent of the land has been returned to its former owners.Grain crops are largely grown in the region, including industrial crops: sunflower and particularly cotton; essential oils: lavender and others; and perennial plants: cherry and apple fruit. Chirpan also has favorable conditions for a large
vine-growing industry with a tradition in wine production.The Wheat and Cotton Research Institute has developed strains of wheat grown worldwide and serves as a dynamic asset in our agricultural development.
Fifty percent of the state property and capacity has been privatized through voucher, cash and manager privatization. The existing production facilities and human capital in the region, and the raw input that agriculture provides to food and other processing industries, creates a high potential for industrial development.

Particularly attractive for the investor are the agricultural and animal breeding sectors, with an expansion program of irrigated land and the water supply needed the possibilities are limitless.



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