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Geography
The Chepelare Municipality is located in the heart of the Rhodopi Mountains, at the head of the River "Chepelarska." At an average elevation of 1,150 m above sea level and an area of 384 km2, Chepelare rests at a latitude of 24 degrees 42 minutes east of Greenwich and 41 degrees 44 minutes north of the Equator. The Municipal Center is located 230 km from the capital of Bulgaria Sofia, 80 km from Plovdiv and 10 km from the resort Pamporovo. Greece is only 100 km south along the Municipality's soon-to-be-completed interstate highway. 9,800 people live in the Municipality.
Climate
The climate is mild-continental, with four distinct seasons -spring, summer, autumn and winter -Chepelare is the sunniest town in Bulgaria (with an estimated 270 days of sun a year). The winter is mild and warm with an average snow cover of 30-80 cm, which remains between 80 and 100 days a year. The spring comes unusually late and the summer is cool and refreshing.
Since ancient times the Rhodopis have been a mysterious and enchanting mountain range. It is home of the mythical singer Orpheus and the clan of guards of the famous Sanctuary of Dionysus. Archeological excavations date back to habitations from approximately the 7th century BC. The remains of many Thracian fortresses reveal a rich ancient culture that once flourished in the area. The fortresses guarded an ancient Thracian road running from the town of Abdera, on the Aegean Sea, to Istros, on the Danube River. Another facet of early history is the metalworking industry, including goldsmithing (which is due to the prevalence of gold ore in the region). The discoveries of Thracian brass needles, or "fibols", reveals that as early as the 7th and 8th centuries BC metalworking in the region was at a relatively advanced level. This is seen in casts being used for their creation. These "fibols" first served as pins to fasten one's clothes, and then later as ornamental broaches. More than one third of all discovered in Bulgaria arched one-spring Thracian "fibols" were found on the current territory of the Municipality. Ore mining continued to develop with the Roman invasion of the region. Evidence of this mining is indirectly referred to in the chapter for Mines and Miners in the Law of Emperor Valentian I (365-375 AD) and in the writings of the Roman poet Claudius (4th Century AD). The archeological discoveries of glass vessels, cups, belt buckles, coins and ceramics from the late Roman epic (379-450 AD) are additional evidence of an intensive", commercial industry.
Excavations in 1911 found traces of a Roman Bath, the only trace of town construction in the Central Rhodopis. Fortresses, settlements and tombs, some of which have been in use since Thracian times, are left around the region from the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdoms (681 and 1393).
During the Bulgarian Revival period (1762-1878), cultural and educational life flourished in Chepelare and the surrounding villages, illustrated by the existing 14 churches and 72 chapels. In every church existed a school. Four of the churches are now declared artistic cultural monuments of national significance, and one of the churches and 15 of the chapels are declared cultural monuments of regional significance
Cultural Monuments
There are 61 cultural monuments on the territory of the Municipality, 17 of which are declared as official cultural monuments. Three of the recognized monuments are of national significance and the rest are of regional significance.
Declared Cultural Monuments of National Significance
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Archeological: Fortress Tsirikova Church; on a peak located 0.5 km southeast from the Kabata area -village OREHOVO.
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Archeological - Nature: Thracian settlement - located in the cave Tyovnata Dupka, 2 km east of village ZABARDO.
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Historical: The birth home of Ditcho Petrov (Takov) - village PROGLED.
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Other Cultural Monuments of National Significance
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"St. Atanasiy Veliki" Church - town CHEPELARE
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"Vaznesenie Gospodne" Church - village PAVELSKO
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"Vaznesenie Gospodne" Church - village MALEVO
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"St. Iliya" Church - village HVOINA
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Sport
Sports are a philosophy of life in Chepelare, unifying the body, mind and spirit. Sports are a way of life, giving happiness and strength, and educating us in moral value. On the Municipal territory are eight registered Sports Clubs which work to expand sports in the region. They are -"Biathlon", "Orion" snowboarding, "Ski -Rozhen", "Studenets" orienteering, table tennis, "Zarenitsa" handball, "Ivan Popov" volleyball and the "Caving Club".
Chepelare is famous as the birthplace of the first Bulgarian Olympic Gold Medalist for the biathlon, won at Nagano in 1998 -Ekaterina Dafovska. Additionally, the largest enterprise in the region is the Chepelare factory "Pamporovo-Ski", producing skis and snowboards - the only ski factory on the Balkan Peninsula.
The people living in this corner of the world treasure their way of life and have great pride in their Bulgarian and Rhodopean identity. Whatever we write about Chepelare is never enough. When you come into contact with the Rhodopi Mountains your heart will remain here forever, enlightening your soul in truth and dignity. Here is truly a hidden world.
Two organizations exist to continue to improve upon the tourism potential in Chepelare, the Tourism Council and the Association for Hotel Owners, Restaurant Owners and Shopkeepers. The Tourist Information Centers located on the Municipal territory also exist for the tourist's convenience, they are able tc rook hotel reservations, suggest hiking, routes and other tourist -activities and offer a diverse assortment of pamphlets and maps
Winter - Ski Center Chepelare
A long tradition for ski sport has created a legacy of competitors on a national and world scale.
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Slope "Mechi Chal 1" for the alpine discipline is 3,150 m long, 50 m wide and has an elevation change of 720 m, the slope is homologous and can be used for international competitions for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
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Slope "Mechi Chal 2" is a tourist slope 5,250 m long, 25 m wide and has an elevation change of 720 m.
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A slope for cross-country skiing 3,000 m long at an elevation of 1,282 m above sea-level is also located at the center. (The slopes are equipped with a two-seat lift that takes 17 minutes to reach the peak and has a capacity for 700 tourists per hour.)
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Also located nearby is a 5 km biathlon track.
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Activities offered include:
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Outdoor winter holidays
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Parallel slalom for skiers
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Ski competitions - Chepelare Cup, Orion Cup and others
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Diplomas awarded upon completing ski courses
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Entertainment options for those that don't ski
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Sledding competitions
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Outdoor winter carnivals
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Visitors to Chepelare are also not far from the slopes at the ski resort Pamporovo, located 10 km from the town. (The Municipality of Chepelare has begun creating a ski-center that will connect the existing slopes on the peak "Mechi Chal" with Pamporovo, making it the largest ski-center on the Balkan Peninsula.)
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Summer
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Hiking routes and tours led by quaffed mountain guides
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Collecting organic/environmentalty dean wild berries and herbs
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Fishing in designated locations
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Horse riding
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Excursions to various cultural and environmental sites in the Rhodopi region
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Traditional "Rozhen Fair" at the end of August
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Outdoor tennis and volleyball courts next to the beautiful building of the High School
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Basketball and volleyball courts in the former sports school
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Table tennis in the former sports school
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Spring
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Cultural Celebrations running from May 11th through May 24th
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Official town celebration culminating on May 24
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Literature competition on the theme "Protection of the Rhodopi", organized by the Union for the Protection of the Rhodopi Mountains
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Autumn
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Anniversaries of eminent citizens
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A traditional time for family meetings, national fairs and blessings. These events bring out an astounding diversity of colors and forms of mythical costumes and entertaining rhythms from hundreds of Rhodopi bells and bagpipes. These events attract more and more spectators to participate every year in the magic of Rhodopi folklore. There are 9 family hotels, 36 guest houses and 6 tourist huts available. They are classified as 1, 2 and 3 star accommodations with a total capacity of 3,820 beds. For reservations contact the Tourist Information Center - Chepelare.
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