KOTEL

The town of Kotel (population 7270 inhabitants) is situated in a picturesque small valley in the eastern part of the Balkan Range, 527 m above the sea level. It is 328 km east of Sofia and 49km north-east of Sliven.

Kotel is not only a place with majestic nature, fresh air, and pure mountain water, but also an important cultural and historical centre. It is called the Stronghold of Bulgarian spirit, Cradle of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Kotel is a town with beautiful architectonic models from the late Revival and one of the most important centres of weaving art. Its rich history, Renaissance architecture, and marvelous vicinity make this picturesque Balkan town a desired place for national and international tourism. A Turkish register of 1486 contains the earliest information about the town known then as Kazan Panaru.

The town of Kotel has been declared an architectural and historical reserve. There have been preserved over 110 Renaissance houses. There is a museum exposition of brilliant fabrics - symbol of the ancient craft of carpet weaving in the Galatan School. The house of Kyorpev's is an ethnographic museum. The Museum of Renaissance illustrates the life of more than 200 national heroes from the region. The Museum of Nature and Science shows the natural variety of the area. The St. Trinity and St. St. Apostles Peter and Paul church preserve beautiful woodcarvings. There is a high musical folk school Filip Kutev in Kotel. There are regular bus lines from Kotel to Shoumen, Sliven, Yambol, Veliki Preslav, Targovishte and other villages and towns in the district.