Smolyan is a town in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. It occupies the narrow gorge of the Cherna River in the East Rhodope Mountains, and has 34 000 residents. Once the Slavs' tribe of smolyani inhabited the area and gave the name of the settlement. The magnificent nature, mild climate, its closeness to the mountain and the Pamporovo resort attract tourists all year round. It became a town in 1960 after unifying three villages- Smolyan, Raykovo and Ustovo.
Numerous houses and churches from 17th-19th centuries have been preserved up to the present day. Some of them are: "Pangalov’s house" (1860), "Sgurov’s house" (1866), "Alibeev’s town- hall" (1751), "Kelev’s house" (1860), etc.
The architectural and ethnographic reserve called Cheshitska mahala is located in the district of Raykovo.
- St. Visarion Smolenski. the second biggest bulgarian christian temple
- Stoyu Shishkov Regional History Museum, +359 30 162 770. Provides information about the history of the region.
- Town Art Gallery.
St. Visarion Smolenski. the second biggest bulgarian christian temple
Stoyu Shishkov Regional History Museum, +359 30 162 770. Provides information about the history of the region.
Town Art Gallery.
There is a planetarium and a Drama Theater
- Rhodope Drama Theater. ----
Every year you can to visit International ETHNO-JAZZ festival "JULY JAZZ Smolyan " - in JULY. The festival meeting different art and crafts. Famous artists, young musicians and interpreters come to Smolyan to join in the festival. Work-shops: music, theatre, drama, dance, painting, crafts and iconography. CHILD ART CAMP - "Work-shop for little 'big' people" started in 2008 and art and social platform for discussion for young people.
www.julyjazzbg.com
Rhodope Drama Theater.
Smolyan is a starting point for many mountain routes. The Smolyan lakes and the Smolyan waterfall are located not far from the town.