BY REGION/VILLAGE
Sofia region
Rhodope region
North-Western Bulgaria
North-Central Bulgaria
North-Eastern Bulgaria
South-Western Bulgaria
South-Central Bulgaria
Central Bulgaria
South-Eastern Bulgaria
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The town of Velingrad was established in 1948 by 3 villages: Kamenitsa, Ludzhene and Chepino. The numerous archaeological findings, such as stone and bone tools, bronze articles and others imply existence of life since ancient times in these places. Long lasting traces have left Thracians, Slavs, Byzantines, and Romans. The traces, however, left by the Ottomans are bloody and morbid, related with forced conversion to Islam of the local Christian population. A moving account about that time has left priest M. Draginov. The national poet Ivan Vazov wrote at length about it in his travel notes from the Rhodopes. Later, when the spark of the Revival was kindled, the local population also made its contribution to the patriotic acts.
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The abundance of mineral waters, the modern spa, resort facilities, mild climate and wonderful natural conditions, offer recreation to over 200 000 people here every year. The valley of Chepino is famous as the sunniest part of the Rhodopes. The sunny days come up to 74% annually. Fogs are a rare phenomenon, the average January temperature is 1.8°C and in July it does not rise above 18.7°C.
Summer is cool, winter is mild and autumn is warm and pleasant.
In winter, there are wonderful conditions for skiing. Snow does not melt for a month and a half.
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The greatest treasure of Velingrad are the mineral water springs (approximately 80 in number) with a temperature from 22° to 90°C and an output capacity of 130-140 l/ sec. It is formed in 3 thermal zones: Chepino, Ludzhene and Kamenitsa, whereas half of the water resources come from the Chepino basin.
The mineral water of Velingrad in quality and composition combine the curative qualities of the water in Hissar, Banya (Karlovo region) and of those of Narechenski Bani. They are used for treatment of the joint and bone locomotive system, the stomach and intestinal tract, the liver, skin diseases, urological diseases and others. Tens of spas, treatment centres, recreation centres, private villas and other infrastructure are built.
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The karst spring of Kleptouza in Chepino is a natural landmark of interest (the biggest karst spring in Bulgaria, output 570 l/sec). Near it, there is a beautiful lake and good tourist infrastructure - favorite place for rest and recreation of the local citizens and the guests of the resort as well.
As one of the biggest resort centers in Bulgaria, Velingrad offers comparatively good capacities to accommodate its numerous guests in many family hotels and private lodgings. There is a great choice of entertainment facilities as well as restaurants where local Bulgarian cuisine can be tasted. |
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The resort is connected with the remaining part of the country by bus and railway transport. There are regular bus connections with Sofia, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Peshtera, Rakitovo, Blagoevgrad, Batak, Surnitsa and many other smaller settlements, mainly in the Rhodopes. There are two bus stations - Beev Bus Station and Tonev Bus Station. Velingrad is a main stop along the narrow-gauge railway line Septemvri - Dobrinishte. There are 2 railway stations - Central Railway Station in Chepino Quarter and Yug (South) Railway station in Ludzhene Quarter. Bus transport functions within the town as well. |
Surrounding areas. At a distance of 16 km from Velingrad is situated Yundola Recreation Campus, spread in the saddle of the same name, dividing the Rhodopes from Rila Mountain (refer to Rhodopes related chapter herein). To the west of the town, at the narrow-gauge railway line to Dobrinishte is located the highest above sea level railway station on the Balkan Peninsula – Avramovi Kolibi (1 455 m above sea level), also in the dividing saddle between Rila and the Rhodopes, called Avramova Saddle.
The village of Dorkovo is 14 km north-east of the town. In its very end in 1985, the largest paleontological finding of mastodons (from 5-6 million years ago) was discovered. The village has a regular bus connection with Velingrad.
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Tsepina - Medieval Bulgarian fortress is located 6 km (along an asphalt road) to the north-west of Dorkovo village. One can walk starting from Tsepina railway station on the narrow-gauge railway line Septemvri-Dobrinishte along a marked trail for about 2.30 hours. The fortress was erected between 11th and 13th century on the place of an old Thracian settlement. In the beginning of the 13th century it had been the stronghold of the Bulgarian boyar Aleksii Slav. The Ottoman invaders destroyed it. Remains of the fortress wall, water reservoirs, churches and other buildings are now preserved.
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The Chepino River Bed - the valley of River Chepinska between the Rhodope subparts Alabak (to the west) and Karkaria (to the east) is about 30 km long. It is a picturesque gorge, through which pass the motorway and the narrow-gauge railway line from Septemvri to Dobrinishte. Being carried by the low speed romantic train, one can admire the picturesque beauties of the surroundings. Velingrad is a point of departure for many tourist routes, mostly in the Phodopes' elevation Alabak (refer to the Rodopes related chapter herein). |
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In the town of Velingrad you can find:
- Many food, clothes and other stores;
- Many restaurants and food places;
- Many bars, coffees, discotheques;
- Internet clubs and computer halls;
- Chemistries where a wild range of new medicines are available;
- Doctors’ and dentists’ where you can make examinations and treatment;
- Three mobile operators working on the territory of Velingrad and region – MobilTel, Globul and Mobikom, and a national telephone network;
- A regular town bus-line and taxies;
- Car repair services;
- Post office services;
- Many bank offices that work from Monday to Friday (8.00 – 17.00 h) and two Automatic Teller Machines;
- Many hairdressers’ and beauty parlors;
- Two cinemas which offer a variety of new films; |
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