Pazardzhik District is located in Southern Bulgaria, in the
central part of the Upper Thracian Plain, north of the Rhodope
Mountains, along the Maritsa River. Administratively, it is
divided into 11 municipalities: Batak Municipality, Belovo
Municipality, Bratsigovo Municipality, Velingrad Municipality,
Lesichovo Municipality, Pazardjik Municipality, Panagyurishte
Municipality, Peshtera Municipality, Rakitovo Municipality,
Septemvri Municipality, Strelcha Municipality.
The region
borders the regions: Plovdiv, Smolyan, Blagoevgrad and Sofia
region.
Pazardzhik has a favorable transitional climate
between the temperate continental climate of the Danube Plain
and the transitional Mediterranean climate of the Southeast.
Population of larger towns and villages in the district
Batak
City » : 3121
City of Belovo: 3761
City of Bratsigovo:
3983
City of Panagyurishte: 17099
City of Pazardzhik:
70728
City of Peshtera: 16557
City of Rakitovo: 8114
City of Septemvri: 7754
City of Strelcha: 3945
City of
Velingrad: 22165
Village of Aleko Konstantinovo: 2727
Bratanitsa village: 2056
Buta village: 1118
Byaga village:
1371
Village of Chernogorovo: 2107
Tsranka village: 1026
Dinkata village: 1163
Dobrovnitsa village: 1337
Dorkovo
village: 2703
Draginovo village: 4766
Dragor village: 1394
Glavinitsa village: 2228
Govedare village: 1592
Grashevo
village: 1248
Hadjievo village: 1020
Isperihovo village:
1948
Ivaylo village: 2798
Kalugerovo village: 1252
Karabunar village: 1326
City of Kostandovo: 4144
Kovachevo
village: 2402
Village of Krastava: 1065
Malo Konare
village: 4222
Mokrishte village: 1805
Village of Nova
Mahala: 2060
Oborishte village: 1188
Village of Ognyanovo:
2342
Patalenitsa village: 1164
Popintsi village: 1854
Radilovo village: 1323
Saraya village: 1362
Semchinovo
village: 1925
Sestrimo village: 1139
Village of Sinitovo:
1885
City of Sarnitsa » : 3550
Sveta Petka village: 1531
Village of Varvara: 2005
City of Vetren: 3103
Village of
Vetren dol: 1402
Village of Vinogradec: 1399
Yunatsite
village: 1474
Zvanichevo village: 1808
The Pazardzhik municipality is located in southern Bulgaria, in the central part of the Upper Thracian lowland, north of the Rhodope Mountains, along the Maritsa River. The municipality borders seven municipalities from the Pazardzhik region, including: the municipality of Strelcha, Panagyurishte, Lesichovo, Septemvri, Rakitovo, Peshtera and Bratsigovo, as well as four municipalities from the Plovdiv region - Saedinenie, Stamboliyski, Maritsa, Rodopi.
Prehistory and Ancient Times
Human habitation in Pazardzhik
Province dates back to the Paleolithic era, with evidence of Old Stone
Age activity found in areas like Batak in the Rhodope Mountains. More
substantial settlements emerged during the Neolithic period around the
7th millennium BC, when agro-pastoralist communities from Asia Minor
migrated to the fertile Maritsa River valley. These early inhabitants
established sites near modern Pazardzhik and Sinitovo, part of the
Karanovo I culture, focusing on farming and animal husbandry. A notable
artifact from this time is the Pazardzhik Venus, a 5th-millennium BC
clay idol depicting a seated woman, discovered in 1872 and now housed in
Vienna's Natural History Museum.
The Chalcolithic (Eneolithic)
period, around the 5th millennium BC, saw continued development, with
settlements near the Besaparian hills and Yunatsite mound (linked to the
Karanovo VI culture). There was no significant break between the
Eneolithic and Early Bronze Age in mountainous areas like the Rhodopes
and Sredna Gora, though some populations may have retreated to higher
elevations around 3700–3300 BC due to environmental or social pressures.
Over 50 Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements have been identified across
the province, highlighting its role as a hub of early human activity.
By the Iron Age, the region was dominated by the Thracians, an ancient
Indo-European people known for their warrior culture and metallurgy. The
Thracian tribe of the Bessi inhabited the area, with their primary city,
Bessapara (or Besapara), located in the hills near Pazardzhik and
Sinitovo. This settlement thrived along the Roman Via Militaris road,
and archaeological finds include a Thracian tombstone and an annular
well possibly part of a villa complex. The Panagyurishte Treasure,
unearthed near the town of Panagyurishte in the northern part of the
province, exemplifies Thracian artistry: a 6.164 kg collection of nine
23-karat gold vessels from the 4th–3rd centuries BC, including rhytons
and amphorae used in rituals.
The lands around Batak and other
southern areas were also crossed or settled by Thracians, with over 20
Thracian, Thracian-Roman, and later Byzantine fortresses registered,
alongside Thracian mounds, Roman bridges, and mines.
Roman and
Byzantine Eras
In the 1st century BC, the region was incorporated
into the Roman Empire as part of the province of Thracia, benefiting
from Roman infrastructure like roads and fortifications. It remained
under Byzantine control after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in
the 5th century AD, serving as a buffer zone against invasions.
Byzantine influences are evident in archaeological sites, including
churches and monasteries in the Batak area. The transition to Slavic and
Bulgar settlement began in the early Middle Ages, with the Drougoubitai
tribe arriving in the region.
Medieval Period: Bulgarian Empires
By the early 9th century, Pazardzhik Province became part of the First
Bulgarian Empire under rulers like Omurtag and Malamir, who expanded
Bulgarian influence through military campaigns. Artifacts from this era
include sgraffito ceramics, an iron shovel, and a sword found along the
Topolnitsa River. The region remained Bulgarian until the empire's fall
in the late 10th century, then briefly under Byzantine rule again.
With the establishment of the Second Bulgarian Empire in the late 12th
century, the area regained Bulgarian control. Medieval fortresses such
as Tsepina (near Dorkovo) and Krasen (near Bata) were built for
strategic defense. The medieval Church of St Demetrius in Patalenitsa, a
fine example of Byzantine-influenced architecture, dates to this period
and features intricate frescoes and stonework.
Ottoman Period
(Late 14th to 19th Century)
The Ottomans overran the region in the
late 14th century, integrating it into their empire. The city of
Pazardzhik (originally Tatar Pazardzhik) emerged in the early 15th
century as a commercial hub on the Singidunum-Belgrade road linking
Europe to Asia Minor. Its founding is debated: possibilities include
1395 by Saruhan nomads, 1398 by Tatar migrants, 1418 by Minnet Bey's
resettlement, or 1485 by Crimean Tatars under Bayezid II, who built the
first mosque and established it as a town by 1488. Initially fully
Muslim with about 105 households, it grew through rice cultivation
(earning the nickname "European Egypt"), trade in iron, leather, grain,
wine, and timber, and crafts.
By the 16th century, Pazardzhik was an
administrative kaza (district), with grand buildings like the Eski
Mosque, Pasha Haram, and Kurshum Inn. In the 17th–18th centuries, it
flourished as a river port and warehouse, noted by travelers like Gerard
Kornelius Drish for its superior architecture. The population was
predominantly Turkish in 1738, but by the mid-19th century, Bulgarians
formed 57%, with Turks at 28.5%, alongside Jewish, Vlach, and Armenian
communities. It became a cultural center with schools (first in 1823), a
community center (1862), and the Church of the Dormition (1837),
featuring Debar school woodcarvings. The province hosted vibrant
markets, fairs, and social life, though under Ottoman Tanzimat reforms.
19th Century: National Revival, Uprising, and Liberation
The
Bulgarian National Revival peaked in the 19th century, with Pazardzhik
as a spiritual and educational hub. Figures like Vasil Levski
established revolutionary committees in 1872, and Georgi Benkovski
organized in 1876. The April Uprising of 1876, aimed at ending Ottoman
rule, was centered in Panagyurishte, with widespread support across the
province. Ottoman reprisals were brutal: in Batak, irregular forces
massacred around 8,000 civilians, one of Bulgaria's deadliest
atrocities. Pazardzhik itself was slated for burning but spared due to
Ottoman caution.
The Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) led to liberation:
Russian forces under Iosif Gurko captured Pazardzhik in January 1878,
with Armenian telegraphist Ovanes Sovadzhian preventing its destruction
by altering orders. Per the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, the province joined
the autonomous Eastern Rumelia (including districts like Pazardzhik,
Peshtera, Ihtiman, Koprivshtitsa, and Panagyurishte), before unification
with the Principality of Bulgaria in 1885.
20th Century and
Modern History
Post-liberation, Pazardzhik Province industrialized,
with factories for tobacco, food, and oil emerging after a 1904 fire
destroyed much of the old city. The 1934 coup shifted local governance.
During World War II, Soviet Red Army troops arrived in Pazardzhik on
September 23, 1944, under Dimitry Gorunkov. Post-1944 communist rule
brought nationalization (1947), heavy industry (e.g., accumulator
factories in 1960), and hydroelectric projects, but also repression:
Concentration Camp C (1948–1950) held border captives and IMRO
activists, with 65 of 137 prisoners dying; survivors were sent to
Belene. In 1949, Sarnitsa was transferred to Pazardzhik okolia. The 1971
Pomak riots near Samokov and in the province resulted in deaths and
imprisonments.
Pazardzhik Province is situated in the central-southern part of
Bulgaria, forming a key transitional region between the country's
northern and southern landscapes. It borders Plovdiv Province to the
east, Smolyan Province to the southeast, Blagoevgrad Province to the
southwest, Sofia Province to the northwest, and shares a small boundary
with Lovech Province to the north. The province lies within the broader
Thracian Valley and acts as a gateway between the Upper Thracian Plain
and the mountainous interiors of the Balkans. Its capital, Pazardzhik
city, is located along the banks of the Maritsa River, serving as a
central hub in this diverse area.
Area and Land Use
The total
area of Pazardzhik Province is approximately 4,458 km² (1,722 sq mi),
accounting for about 4% of Bulgaria's national territory. Land use is
dominated by forests, which cover 57.1% of the area, primarily in the
southern mountainous regions. Arable land makes up 35.6%, supporting
intensive agriculture in the plains. Urban areas occupy 3.3%, water
bodies (rivers and lakes) 2.6%, road infrastructure 0.6%, and
quarries/mines 0.4%. This distribution reflects the province's dual
character: fertile lowlands for farming and forested highlands for
timber and recreation. The varied land use influences economic
activities, with agriculture focusing on crops like wheat, barley, rice,
grapes, apples, plums, and strawberries in the central plains, while
livestock breeding prevails in the mountains.
Terrain and
Elevation
The terrain of Pazardzhik Province is highly varied,
transitioning from northern mountain ridges to central plains and
southern highlands. In the north, the middle ridges of the Sredna Gora
mountain range dominate, giving way southward to the flat, fertile
western sections of the Upper Thracian Plain. Further south, the
landscape rises into the Rhodope Mountains, which host dense forests and
rugged topography. Elevation ranges from lows of around 200 meters (656
ft) in the central plains to highs of 2,306 meters (7,566 ft) at Savov
Vrah in the Rila Mountains (on the province's western edge). The lowest
points are in the eastern plains near the Maritsa River, while the
Rhodopes feature steep slopes and valleys. This elevational gradient
creates microclimates and supports diverse ecosystems, with the plains
being more arid and the mountains prone to erosion and landslides.
Mountains and Ranges
Pazardzhik Province encompasses parts of
several major Bulgarian mountain systems:
Sredna Gora: In the
northern section, these mid-elevation ridges (up to about 1,600 m or
5,249 ft) form a natural barrier, with rolling hills and valleys that
support mixed forests and mining activities.
Rhodope Mountains:
Dominating the south, these ancient massifs are characterized by rounded
peaks, deep gorges, and karst formations. They include areas like the
Batak Municipality, with elevations often exceeding 1,500 m (4,921 ft),
and are home to coniferous and deciduous woodlands.
Rila Mountains:
Only the eastern fringes extend into the province, featuring the highest
point at Savov Vrah (2,306 m). This area includes alpine meadows and
glacial features, contributing to hydropower potential.
These
mountains influence local weather patterns, trapping moisture and
creating orographic precipitation, while also providing habitats for
wildlife and opportunities for tourism, such as hiking and spa resorts
in Velingrad and Batak.
Rivers and Water Bodies
The province
is rich in hydro resources, with the Maritsa River serving as the
primary waterway, flowing east-west through the central plains and
draining much of the region. Key tributaries include:
Topolnitsa
River: Originates in the Sredna Gora and flows southward into the
Maritsa.
Luda Yana River: Another northern tributary, supporting
irrigation in the plains.
Stara Reka: Flows from the southern
Rhodopes northward.
Artificial reservoirs enhance water management
and hydropower:
Batak Reservoir, Golyam Beglik, and Shiroka Polyana:
Located in the Rhodopes within Batak Municipality, these are key for
energy production and fishing (species like carp, perch, trout, and
zander).
Topolnitsa Reservoir: Shared with Sofia Province in the
north.
Dospat Reservoir: Partially within the province's southwest.
These water bodies cover about 2.6% of the land, aiding flood control,
irrigation, and the Batak Hydropower Cascade (254 MW capacity from three
plants: Batak, Peshtera, and Aleko). Mountain streams add to the
network, with fish-rich waters in higher elevations.
Climate
Pazardzhik Province experiences a transitional continental climate,
blending Mediterranean influences in the lowlands with alpine conditions
in the mountains. The average annual temperature is around 11.3–12.3°C
(52.3–54.1°F), with milder winters in the plains compared to northern
Bulgaria but extreme cold and heavy snowfall in higher elevations (down
to -29.5°C or -21.1°F recorded). Summers are warm and dry (up to 40.6°C
or 105.1°F), particularly in June–August. Annual precipitation averages
628 mm (24.7 in), peaking in May–June (over 58 mm monthly) due to
convective storms, while winters bring snow in the mountains.
Vegetation, Soils, and Natural Resources
Vegetation is lush in the
Rhodopes, with deciduous forests (oak, beech) at lower slopes
transitioning to coniferous (pine, spruce) at higher altitudes. The
plains feature grasslands and cultivated fields, while artificial lakes
support aquatic plants. Soils are predominantly fertile chernozems in
the central lowlands, ideal for agriculture, with podzolic and brown
forest soils in the mountains. Natural resources include abundant
hydropower from rivers and reservoirs, mineral deposits like copper
(mined in Panagyurishte, Elshitsa, and Tsar Asen), and timber from
forests. Protected areas, though not extensively detailed, include parts
of the Rhodopes with ecological reserves for biodiversity, supporting
species like trout in streams and various forest fauna.
The municipality has conditions for the development of the meat industry due to the presence of many small private farms for pigs and calves. Due to the favorable climate and soils, various wine grape varieties are grown in the area. In general, the area is known for many wine regions and wineries. A well-developed industry in the region is tobacco production. Oriental tobacco and "Virginia" are mainly grown there.
Velingrad is the largest Bulgarian balneological resort within the
Pazardzhik region. It is located in the most beautiful part of the
Western Rhodopes - the Chepin Valley, at an altitude of 700 to 1,800 m.
In Velingrad, the beautiful nature is complemented by the mild and
pleasant climate. In terms of abundance and variety of its mineral
waters, Velingrad ranks first in Bulgaria with about 80 mineral springs.
The city has over 10 mineral outdoor and indoor pools, with city
beaches, over 50 hotels, 43 rest homes and sanatoriums, as well as 6
mineral baths.
A true miracle of nature is the largest karst
spring in Bulgaria - "Kleptuza", from which 570 liters of ice-cold water
gushes to the surface every second, forming two lakes flowing into the
Chepinska River.
More than 440 archaeological, architectural,
historical and artistic monuments of culture from prehistory, antiquity
and the Middle Ages to the Renaissance are known on the territory of
Pazardzhik region.
At 14 km. south of the city, in the immediate
vicinity of the village of Radilovo, a modest monument to the Bulgarian
writer and democrat Aleko Konstantinov was erected.
Numerous road arteries of the Republican road network pass through
the territory of the district. Due to the favorable location of the
city, some of the main transport corridors connecting Western Europe
with the Middle East and Central Asia pass through it. The international
highway Trakia passes through here, the European road E-80, which
connects the municipality with Western Europe and Istanbul, and the
transport corridor No. 8, connecting the Black Sea with the Adriatic
Sea.
Rail transport provides access to the Black Sea cities of
Burgas and Varna.