Velingrad

Velingrad [ ˌ vɛliŋ ɡrat ] ( Bulgarian Велинград ) is a Bulgarian town center and an eponymous municipality in the Rhodope Mountains.

History

The region was Islamized during the Ottoman rule in several waves, the last of which took place in 1657.

The city was formed by the merger of three villages Chepinska, Ladzene and Kameniza 1948. It bears the name of the young partisan Wela Peewa.

1977 Velingrad hosted the World Championships in ski orienteering.

Culture and sights

Many mineral springs attract tourists to the city. It is home to the largest karst spring in Bulgaria - ' Kleptusa ' with 580 - 1180 liters per second.

Traffic

Velingrad is an important stop on the narrow gauge Rhodopenbahn of Septemwri after Dobrinište.

Sons and daughters of the town

• Nikolaj Gjaurow, Opera Singer