Haskovo, Bulgaria

Haskovo is the name of a town (and administrative center of the region of the same name) in Southern Bulgaria. Its population (as in May, 2005) is 96 084. Haskovo is one of the oldest settlements in Bulgaria, having celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 1985. To mark the event, a new clock tower was erected in the centre of the town. In Medieval years it was known for the near Uzunjovo fair, famous in whole Bulgaria. The town has a large Turkish population (Pomak) and benefits from its position on the main highway from Western Europe to Turkey.

In 1395 the Eski camii (the Old mosque) was built as the first one on the Balkan peninsula. It is interesting that its minaret is slightly inclined. After the liberation in 1878 Haskovo became a centre of high-quality tobacco region (Bulgaria's largest cigarette manufacturing facilities are based in the town).

Nowadays there are some enterprises for food, machinery and fabric. The cultural life in the town is presented by the newly renovated drama theatre "Ivan Dimov", the historical museum and an art gallery. The annual folk festival "Kitna Trakia pee i tancuva" (Colourful Thrace sings and dances, in Bulgarian Китна Тракия пее и танцува) takes place in the near park Kenana. A 32-meter-high statue of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the Infant Jesus was erected on the Hill of Youth near Haskovo in 2003. The monument was inaugurated on September 8 on the occasion of the Nativity of Holy Virgin Mary, when the Day of the town of Haskovo is celebrated. It entered the Guiness Book of Records as the highest in the world monument to Our Lady.

The town centre has recently been the subject of much investments, such that one would be hard pressed to tell the difference, in terms of street cafes, restaurants, shops and piazzas from Western Europe.

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