Karlovo - the birthplace of the Apostle of Bulgarian Freedom
Situated in the heart of the Valley of Roses, Karlovo is famous as the birthplace of Bulgaria’s greatest national hero, Vassil Levski, the leader of the national revolutionary movement against Ottoman rule - the man who dreamed of and strived for “a pure and sacred republic”. And who perished for his ideal. The Turkish authorities put him on trial and sentenced him to death by hanging. It was in February 1873: five years before the Liberation.

His ideals
The Apostle of Bulgarian Freedom used to say: “If I win, the entire nation wins; if I lose, I lose only myself.” “To be equal to the other European nations depends on our own united strength.” “What more can I want when I see my homeland free? My predestination is for my homeland, is it not? Not to see myself in a high rank, but to die… “

Karlovo is a pretty town at the foot of the Balkan Mountains with some very good examples of typical Bulgarian revival architecture in its old part. The town originated on the banks of Stara Reka (Old River) as an administrative centre during the Ottoman domination of Bulgaria. It was called Karlovo after the name of the local Turkish feudal lord.

In the past Karlovo was a leading centre of craft production, braid weaving and rose distillery. It was called the factory town on account of the numerous furrieries and foundries.

Karlovo was famous for the taste and skill of its artisans, qualities which have made it the modern town with developed industry and eventful cultural life that it is today.

In late May and early June every year, the rose-picking season starts in the Valley of Roses. Karlovo turns into one of the centres of the Festival of Roses.