Svilengrad

Svilengrad (Bulgarian: Свиленград; Greek: Σβίλενγκραντ) is a town in Haskovo Province, south-central Bulgaria, situated at the border of Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Svilengrad Municipality. As of December 2009, the town has a population of 18,132 inhabitants.[1]

Svilengrad

Свиленград
Town
Coat of arms
Svilengrad
Coordinates: 41°46′N 26°12′E
CountryBulgaria
ProvinceHaskovo
MunicipalitySvilengrad
Government
 • MayorGeorgi Manolov (Ind.)
Elevation
60 m (200 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total18,005
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
6500
Area code(s)(+359) 0379
Websitewww.svilengrad.org

Svilengrad is close to the road borders of Greece and Turkey (supposedly one of the largest road customs in Europe). Svilengrad is located ESE of Sofia and Plovdiv, South of Varna and Burgas, West of Edirne and North of the nearest Greek community Ormenio and Alexandroupoli in Greece. There is a higher level of employment than in surrounding villages. Most people work for customs and border related industries e.g. TIR servicing, hotels, border police, etc. The town centre has a pedestrianized high street mostly filled with cafes, bars, phone shops and hotels. The town has 3 DVD rental shops, two cinemas and a library. The Maritsa river flows through Svilengrad. The Evros regional unit of Greece is bordered to the south. The Rhodope mountains lie to the west and southwest. The area to the southwest is famous for its fruit trees.

Origins

During Ottoman times, the town's name was Cisr-i Mustafapaşa, meaning "Bridge of Mustapha Pasha". In 1529, the Old Bridge (Bulgarian: Старият мост) over the Maritsa, one of the symbols of the town, was erected. The town was ceded to Bulgaria in 1912 after the First Balkan War.

Communities
Mezek fortress.
The Bridge over the Maritsa River.
Matochina castle.
Matochina castle.

Sports

Transportation

There is a local bus station from which it is possible to reach many big Bulgarian cities including the Black Sea resorts and local communities.

Roads

Notable people

Honours

Svilengrad Peninsula on Davis Coast, Antarctica is named after the town, in connection with its pioneering role in the world aerial warfare history.

References
  1. (in English) Bulgarian National Statistical Institute - towns in 2009
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