Karlovo, Municipality seat in Central Bulgaria
Karlovo is a city in a fertile valley at the southern edge of the Balkan Mountains, with the Stryama River flowing through it. Built at around 450 meters elevation, it spreads across the valley floor between wooded slopes.
The town was founded in 1483 under Sultan Bayezit II and was originally called Karlıova, named after its founder Karlızade Lala Ali Bey. It gradually became a regional center during the Ottoman period.
The rose-growing heritage shapes how locals see their town, with fields in bloom drawing workers and visitors during the harvest season. This industry has woven itself into daily routines and local pride.
The town sits on the E78 road linking Sofia to the Black Sea, with good rail connections to Plovdiv and nearby areas. Most of the old town is walkable, and key sites are close together for easy exploration.
The Virgin Mary Church in the old town has natural spring water sources surrounded by traditional revival-style buildings. Few visitors notice that these springs have supplied the community for centuries.
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