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Smolyan

Near park | Smolyan

The town of Smolyan is the most important location in the Central Rhodopes, scattered in the narrow gorge of the river Cherna, about 1,000 m above sea level.
In 1960 the three neighbouring villages of Smolyan, Raikovo and Ustovo merged into a town, which was named Smolyan.
The construction of the new town centre was completed in 1983. Buildings like the Planetarium, the Post Office, the Town Hall, and the Rhodopean Dramatic Theatre make up the core of the town.

A combination of old and new architecture 


The town boasts a fascinating combination of old and new architecture. The experts say that the best of the typical folk houses, from the time of the Bulgarian National Revival in the 19th century, are to be found in the Rhodopes. An excellent example is Pangalova's house (built in 1860).
Other notable buildings include the palace of Ali Bey in Raikovo quarter, whose oldest part was constructed in 1780, and the old houses in the neighborhood of Cheshitev.


The azure Smolyan lakes




The famous Smolyan lakes, "the emerald eyes of the Rhodopes", line up in the close proximity of Smolyan. Once there were about twenty but only seven of them still remain now. The highest lake, called "The Muddy Lake", is the deepest and the most beautiful. On a small plateau, near the two lakes, there is the chapel of the Holy Spirit which is still in use.
Camp site "Panorama" is located close to the lakes.







The Planetarium



On September 6th 1975, the biggest Planetarium with a public observatory in Bulgaria opened its doors in the town of Smolyan. Smolyan is a tourist centre in the western Rhodopes lying 1,000 m above sea level, near the famous Bulgarian winter resort of Pamporovo. The Planetarium is the town’s most frequently visited place of interest. In the past 25 years it has been visited by 1,600,000 people. The planetarium and observatory complex works with no day off.