Asenovgrad is a town in central southern Bulgaria.
Asenovgrad was originally founded by the Thracians as Stenimahos around 300-400 BC. In 72 BC the city was captured by the troops of the Roman Empire as part of the Roman expansion towards the Black Sea. After a long period of peace, the town was destroyed by the Goths in 251, but rebuilt later. In 395 the Roman Empire was divided into two and the city fell under Byzantine control. Afterwards, until around 700, the Slavic tribes flooded the region and became the majority of the population. During this time the city was known by its Greek name Στενήμαχος (StenÃmachos).
During the wars between Bulgaria and the Byzantine Empire, the city became a major military stronghold for the Bulgarian rulers. Due to aggravation of the relationships with the Latin Empire, in 1230 Bulgarian Tsar Ivan Asen II strengthened the local fortress Stanimaha and for this reason the city was named after him in 1934 (literally city of Asen). After Bulgaria was occupied by the Ottoman Empire, Stanimaha was settled by Muslims (Turks and Roma), who nowadays make up 20% of the town's population, the rest being Eastern Orthodox Christians.
Tane Nikolov, a well known revolutionary and leader of the Macedonian Struggle, spent his last years at Asenovgrad and dies there in 1947.
Asenova krepost, (in English Assen's Fortress) a Bulgarian fortress (with evidence of occupation dating back to the Thracians) located 2 kilometres from Asenovgrad.
Asenovgrad is the town with most churches per capita as 11 of these buildings can be seen in it and where its nickname - 'The Little Jerusalem' comes from.
The Southern town is also known for its distilleries — Asenovgrad's wines are appreciated all over the country.
The town is famous for its numerous shops for wedding dresses and many Bulgarians come here in order to prepare for their wedding ceremonies.
Due to its specific geographical location the denizens of the town enjoy a pleasant breeze called 'вечерник' (literally 'night wind'). |
