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Kalofer | |
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 Kalofer in winter | |
  Kalofer Location of Kalofer | |
| Coordinates:42°36′44″N24°58′23″E / 42.61222°N 24.97306°E /42.61222; 24.97306 | |
| Country | Bulgaria |
| Provinces (Oblast) | Plovdiv |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rumen Stoyanov |
| Elevation | 666 m (2,185 ft) |
| Population (31.12.2022)[1] | |
• Total | 2 583 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal Code | 4370 |
| Area code | 03133 |
Kalofer (Bulgarian:Калоферpronounced:[kɐˈɫɔfɛr]) is a town in central Bulgaria, located on the banks of theTundzha between theBalkan Mountains to the north and theSredna Gora to the south. Kalofer is part ofPlovdiv Province and theKarlovo municipality. It is best known as the birthplace of Bulgarian poet and revolutionaryHristo Botev.
The modern settlement of Kalofer emerged in the 16th century, managing to preserve its Bulgarian character in theOttoman Empire and to develop as a centre of craftsmanship, primarily cord production. The Kalofer monastery has been in operation since 1640 and the convent since 1700. During theBulgarian National Revival the town became a centre of revolutionary activity, being the birthplace of figures such as Hristo Botev,Exarch Joseph,Dimitar Panichkov, andNikola Ivanov. Today, it is best known for the imposingHristo Botev Monument (one of many in the country).
Kalofer is located in the southern outskirts of Stara Planina. It is only 17 kilometers away fromKarlovo, еlevation 603 m (1,978 ft), 22 km away from Sopot, 56 km away fromPlovdiv, 222 km away fromBurgas, 300 km away fromVarna and 164 km from the capital of BulgariaSofia.
Kalofer was founded in the 16th century (1533). From the very beginning, it enjoyedtown privileges, which allowed it to preserve its typical Bulgarian character. At the height of its economic boom, some 1,200 devices for producing traditional colored Bulgarian wollen threads (gaitan) operated at the town. The town has been burnt down at least three times. Forestation has mostly covered traces from the damage, but they can still be found here and there.
With the passage of time, the residents of Kalofer devised their own methods of survival and cultivated a strength of character, which has remained their typical personality trait until today. Every single time the town was burnt, the people of Kalofer built it all over again, carrying stones from their own farming land, working through the night. Reconstruction activities usually started by re-building the church or the monastery.
In July 1877, an attack by Circassianbashi-bazouk led to the massacre of 618 Bulgarians from the town and the nearby villages, while the entire town was (yet again)burned to the ground, along with 1308 houses, 250 stores, 200 ginning undertakings and watermills and 1400 stables.[2] Some 1,000 additional people lost their lives from exposure and the elements while climbing theBalkan Mountains in an attempt to reachTroyan.
Kalofer has a number of churches and monasteries, many with church bells. On a small street is a convent for girls, inheriting four metochions, in which Anastasia Dimitrova, the first Bulgarian female teacher, was educated.[3] The monastery for men has been open since 1640, and the convent for nuns since 1700. Today, both of them, despite the numerous burnings, are open for visitors.
In Kalofer typical Bulgarian customs and traditions have been well preserved over the centuries. A part of the attractions in the region is visiting ateliers producing the internationally famous Kalofer lace or the traditional rugs or woolen covers (kitenitsi). The making of souvenirs, works of copper, barrels for wine, incrustrated knives, as well as the typical Bulgarian dishes will always be remembered in this region.
There is no bank in Kalofer, but two bank branches are available. In the city center there are twoautomated teller machines.
The post office in Kalofer is open Monday to Friday, and there are shops and convenience stores in the area. Several shops are located in the center of the town, and there is a market on Thursdays.[citation needed]
Kalofer Peak onLivingston Island in theSouth Shetland Islands,Antarctica is named after Kalofer.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Capital:Karlovo | |
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