Hisarya, Bulgaria

Hisarya [ xisarjɐ ] ( Bulg Хисаря; often Hisarja or Hisar ) is a city and administrative center of a municipality of the same name in southern Bulgaria. Throughout its history, the city bore different names ( Thracian Havuz Latin: Augusta; Slavic Lica; byzant Diocletianopolis; . Türk Hisarya from the Persian حصار / Hesar for wall).

Geography

Hisarya is located in the Plovdiv Oblast near the town of Karlovo. Hisarya is the administrative center of the municipality Hisarya. The city has a central location in Bulgaria. It lies on the southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains, at the transition to the Upper Thracian Plain.

Climate

The climate is temperate continental with warm and mild winters. A blanket of snow, there are on average only 27 days a year. Spring comes early and is relatively warm. The summer ( July / August) is very hot, with low humidity and light winds. Autumn is sunny, warm and very long. The mean annual temperature is 11.5 ° C.

In the city there are 22 thermal springs with proven medicinal properties, which focus on a small area and have different temperatures and chemical compositions.

The first organized Balneocentres in Bulgaria began in Hisarya. The government of Eastern Rumelia was 1882 " rules for use of the Baths of Hisarya " out. The Czech chemist Sosterschonek has in the laboratory of the Health Office in Plovdiv analyzed the water from five springs in Hisarya. This was the first chemical analysis of mineral waters in Bulgaria.

History

The pleasant climate and the warm mineral springs have drawn since time immemorial people have of this place. There was even before 5000 to 6000 BC a prehistoric village. Later, there was a Thracian settlement near the mineral springs, which belonged to the kingdom of the Thracian tribe of the Odrysians ( Odrysians Empire; Bulg Одриска държава ). From this period date large Thracian cult facilities near Starossel.

After the conquest by the Roman Empire, the area was part of the Roman province of Thrace. From 46 AD, in addition to the sources of a large Roman settlement was built, which was raised 293 AD by the Emperor Diocletian in the status of a city. The city was renamed in Diocletianopolis. It was immediately followed by a fortification of the city with massive walls and a construction boom in the city. Today, these walls are very well preserved. In many places the walls reached a height of 11 m. The south gate is even 13 m high.

Today, these buildings concentrate in the central city park " Momina Salsa" - with the same source " Momina Salsa" ( Bulg Момина сълза; German: Jungfrau tear ). Here was also the most magnificent public buildings - a two- storey residence with impressive arch structures. In the immediate vicinity of the hot springs of Diocletianopolis lie with an area of ​​2000 m². They are one of the few preserved Roman baths on the Balkan Peninsula. Here treatments were carried out with mineral water. Up on the roof of the baths are almost completely preserved. The interior of the baths was covered with white marble. The baths were heated by the hot mineral water. In addition to the spa is an amphitheater. In ancient times, the amphitheater was well attended and a favorite destination for guests who came for relaxation and amusement in the city. The amphitheater is arranged in the shape of a circus, took place in the sports competitions and fights with wild animals. The amphitheater was built in the first half of the 4th century AD. It was the rule of the new Christian doctrine maintained that no blood should be shed. The amphitheater and associated facilities have been preserved in excellent condition.

After the introduction of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire ( Constantinian shift ) in the first half of the 4th century AD Diocletianopolis an important Christian center and episcopal seat. In the city of 10 early Christian basilicas from the period have been excavated 4th to 6th century. Of particular interest to archaeologists was the only excavated basilica with two naves, which was built in the 5th century on parts of a barracks complex of the ancient city. Is in historical sources informed that the city at that time was the third largest city in the provinces of Thrace - by Philo Polis (now Plovdiv ) and Beroe ( Stara Zagora today ).

After the invasions of the Goths, Avars and Slavs and the subsequent centuries of decline, a new settlement was built on the ruins of the ancient and medieval buildings in the second half of the 17th century. The small village was called Hisarya. In Arabic means Chisar "fortress" ( Hisar ).

The necropolis of Diocletianopolis is located 300 m south of the city walls. It is preserved in its original and accessible to visitors. Impressive are the long corridors, the grave chambers and the colorful floor mosaics.

Bogdan Filow began in 1909 with the historical excavations in Hisarya and was from 1910 to 1920 director of the local folk museum.

Religion

Since the city was at a historic crossroads, it housed many faiths and religions - starting at the far back Thracian mysteries and Orphists, about the early Christian basilicas to the present day.

Today there are in the city three Orthodox, two Catholic and one Protestant church and a mosque.

The Orthodox church Sveti Panteleimon ( Bulg Свети Пантелеймон ) is located in the city center. It was built in 1889. These are its murals, which reflect almost all the biblical stories. They were drawn by local artists - in the style of the murals of the Rila Monastery. The patron saint of the Church, the Holy Pantelejmon, is the protector of the sick. It is celebrated every year on July 27.

The other Orthodox churches are Bogorodiza Assumption ( Bulg Успение Богородично ) and Sveti Dimitar ( Bulg Свети Димитър ).

The mosque is about 400 years old and is located near the western city gate. It was built as Chisar during the Turkish rule was a Turkish settlement. During the Russo -Turkish War (1877-1878), the mosque was burned down and today the minaret is still standing.

There is still the titular Diocletianopolis in Thracia.

Museums

The local archaeological museum was founded by General Todor Markov. It contains an extensive collection of archaeological and ethnographic artefacts. There are well-preserved prehistoric pieces, Thracian, Roman and Byzantine vessels, marble slabs and statues, Mündzen of gold, silver and bronze, which show the history of the peoples who have lived in this region.

In the spa baths Momina banya ( Bulg Момина баня ) is since 1981 a collection of over 10,000 kidney stones who left the patient and bathers after balneotherapy in Hisarya. A small part of it was removed by surgery - the largest stone is 560 g. The collection is a testament to the healing effects of the mineral water of Hisarya.