Karlovo

Karlovo
Карлово
Town
View from Karlovo
View from Karlovo
Coat of arms of Karlovo
Karlovo is located in Bulgaria
Karlovo
Karlovo
Location of Karlovo
Coordinates: 42°38′37″N 24°48′26″E / 42.64361°N 24.80722°E / 42.64361; 24.80722
CountryBulgaria
Province
(Oblast)
Plovdiv
Area
 • Total102.173 km2 (39.449 sq mi)
Elevation
452 m (1,483 ft)
Population
 (2022)[1]
 • Total19,373
 • Density190/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
4300
Area code335
WebsiteOfficial website
Bank in Karlovo
Street in Karlovo. Turkish-era buildings are still visible in the old town.
Karlovo viewed from Stara Planina

Karlovo (Bulgarian: Карлово [ˈkarɫovo]) is a historically important town in central Bulgaria located in a fertile valley along the river Stryama at the southern foot of the Balkan Mountains. It is administratively part of Plovdiv Province and has a population of about 19,373 (as of 2021), the mayor being Dr. Emil Kabaivanov.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19468,903—    
195612,663+42.2%
196520,295+60.3%
197525,515+25.7%
198528,302+10.9%
199227,291−3.6%
200125,494−6.6%
201123,075−9.5%
202119,853−14.0%
Source: pop-stat.mashke.org[2]

Karlovo is famous for the worldwide-known rose oil, which is grown there and used in producing perfume. In addition to this, Karlovo is the birthplace of Vasil Levski, the most distinguished Bulgarian to start preparing the national liberation from the Ottoman rule in the late 19th century. There is a museum and large monument dedicated to him. Karlovo is also a popular location for tourism in the region.

During the 2000s, Bulgarian archaeologists made discoveries in Central Bulgaria which were summarized as 'The Valley of the Thracian Kings'. On 19 August 2005, some archaeologists announced they had found the first Thracian capital, which was situated near Karlovo in Bulgaria. Many polished ceramic artifacts (pieces of roof-tiles and Greek-like vases) were discovered revealing the fortune of the town. The Bulgarian Ministry of Culture declared its support to the excavations.

  1. ^ "Население по градове и пол | Национален статистически институт". nsi.bg. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Cities of Bulgaria" (in Czech). Czech Statistical Office. 3 April 2024.