Provadia Location: Municipality of Provadia is located in Northeast Bulgaria along a defile surrouned by cliffs from east and west. It is at the peripheral of Varna district. It borders 5 other municipalities - Vetrino, Devnia, Avren, Dolni Chiflik and Dylgopol and it reaches Shoumen district on the west. The town of Provadia is 435 km north-east of Sofia, 55 km south-east of Shoumen, 47 km west of Varna, and 17 km south-west of Devnya. The territory of the municipality is characterized with moderate continental climate. The average annual temperature is 11.9 C. The terrain is mainly flat country and hilly-plateau with an average height of 220 meters above sea level. The mild climate, the fertile soil and the water sources of Provadiiska River make it ideal for growing crops, essential oil cultures, fruit trees and plantations of perennial plants. Long time ago the Provadia's plateau's slopes have been covered with venerable trees. Nowadays you would see relatively young forests of oak, hornbeam and lime trees. The only in the country Mirovsko salt deposit is located 5km south-east from Provadia. The natural reserve of salt here is practically endless. The salt baths in Provadia are one of a kind in Bulgaria. Healing baths like these are only available in Karlovi Vari - Czech Republic.
The municipality of Provadia has 25993 residents, 14 361 of which live in the town itself.
73% of the residents are Christians and 27% are Muslims. More than 71% of the settlers are Bulgarians and 13.46% are Turkish. History Provadia is a town with a history of more than 15 centuries. Archeological discoveries date back from the V century B.C. It is thought that the town was established as a fortress and fore post of Byzantium against the tribe invasions from North. The Byzantines called it Provat (passage, gorge).At the end of the XI century the Bulgarians call it Ovech, probably because of the well developed sheep breeding. During the first Bulgarian Kingdom the fortress is not used widely but 15 km north-west from here a monastery complex associated with the rulers was flourishing. During the second Bulgarian kingdom the town is a military fortress, administrative and economical center. In 1388 after a long siege Ovech is conquered by the turks. They call it Provadia and later on Tash Hisar. At the mid XVI the fortress decays and the town permanently resides along the banks of Provadiiska River. After the liberation from the Ottoman rule the town remains with 3500 residents. After reforms in 1881 it becomes a municipality center. Landmarks: - The cultural legacy of the district includes 26 uncovered archeological sites, 8 ancient churches, 185 architectural monuments, 6 museum collections, 2 museums and 13 modern monuments.
- The national revival architectural museum complex in the old quarter of Provadia with the famous Lambova house
- Historical museum
- The house-museum of the great Bulgarian musical director Svetoslav Obretenov
- The Holy Annunciation's Church and St. Nicholas Church
- A mosque from the 14th century
- The old Bazaar
- The Clock Tower 19th century
- Remains from the medieval fortress near the town, in the locale of Tash Hisar
- The Petrich Kale Fortress built by the Byzantines and destroyed by the Polish king Vladislav Varnenchik in 1444.The rocks in the region are climbing sites. A historical museum of the fortress has been created
- Provadiski Bani (baths) 7 km from the town whose salty waters are healing all types of diseases
- The town of Devnya 17 km from Provadia - the largest center of industrial chemicals in Bulgaria, successor of the old Roman town of Marcianopolis. The Devnya springs (total of 30 springs) are the largest karst springs in Bulgaria
- The largest Bulgarian resources of rock salt near Mirovo , 6 km from the town
- Sharap Tash is a rock formation made by people 2600-2800 years ago for wine production. They look like basins 20 to 70 cm deep and up to 2 meter in diameter. Such wine-stones can be found on many places in Bulgaria.They are considered to be linked to the cult of god Dionisius.
- The stone monastery Shashkynite located 30 meters above ground in a vertical rock. The monastery has 10 cells and also has remains of a tomb. Nowadays the rock eagle is nesting in it.
- Tabiite is a Thracian sanctuary of 30 cliff tombs located just 500 meters from the bridge to the fortress Ovech. It has a main funeral chamber with several writings and signs. The tomb has been reused in early Christian times.
Provadia is a starting point for several eco paths. The length of the longest tour is 15 km. There are eight cultural and historical spots included in it. The town is also a popular destination for climbing, alpine sports and camping. Nowadays the town is mainly an industrial and tourist center with a rather laid-back lifestyle. |