Haskovo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Haskovo Хасково
City
Haskovo
Coat of arms
Haskovo Location in Bulgaria Show map of Bulgaria Haskovo Location in Balkans Show map of Balkans Haskovo Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Country	Bulgaria
Province (Oblast)	Haskovo
Area
• City	25.555 km2 (9.867 sq mi)
Elevation	203 m (666 ft)
Population  (2023)
• City	64 564
• Urban	83 682
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code	6300
Area code(s)	038
Vehicle registration	X
Website	Official website: https://web.archive.org/web/20121213080413/http://www.haskovo.bg/en/

Haskovo (which is Хасково in Bulgarian) is a city in southern Bulgaria. It's the main city of the Haskovo Province. It's also quite close to the borders with Greece and Turkey.

Haskovo is one of Bulgaria's larger cities. About 64,564 people lived there in 2022. The first signs of people living in Haskovo date back to about 5000 BC. In 1985, Haskovo celebrated its 1,000th birthday as a town. To remember this special event, a new clock tower was built in the city center.

There's even a place named after Haskovo far away! Haskovo Cove is located on Greenwich Island in Antarctica.

Geography and Climate

Haskovo has a mild climate. This means it has warm summers and cold winters. The average temperature for the year is about 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit).

Winters can be cold, but usually not as snowy as other parts of Bulgaria. Summers are hot, and it can be a bit dry in late summer.

City Name and History

What's in a Name?

The name Haskovo comes from an older name, Hasköy. This name means "special village" in a mix of Arabic and Turkish. It was called this because it became an important center during the time of the Ottoman Empire. Before that, the ancient Thracian name for the settlement was Marsa. The Bulgarian ending "ovo" was added after Bulgaria gained independence from Ottoman rule.

Early Settlements

Archeologists believe people first settled in the Haskovo area about 7,000 years ago. There is evidence of many different groups living here over time. These include the ancient Thracian, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine people.

In the 9th century, during the First Bulgarian Empire, a fortress was built in Haskovo. This fortress soon grew into a town. The town was in an important area between several rivers.

Ottoman Times

Haskovo became part of the Ottoman Empire around 1361. At that time, it was known as Hasköy. Many people lived there, including farmers and skilled workers. These workers made things like saddles, shoes, and soap. The town grew, and by 1530, it had several mosques.

In 1592, a powerful Ottoman leader named Sinan Pasha ordered the building of important structures. These included places for travelers to rest (caravanserais), baths, shops, a mosque, and a place for the poor. He also started a famous fair nearby called Uzuncaova.

Haskovo became even more important in the 1800s. Its markets and fairs made it a big trading center. More Bulgarians and other groups moved to the town. By the mid-1800s, most of the people living there were not Turkish. Haskovo played a role in the Bulgarian National Revival, which was a time when Bulgarians worked to gain their independence. Ottoman rule ended after the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.

Modern Haskovo

After 1878, Haskovo was part of a region called Eastern Rumelia. Then, in 1885, it became part of the independent Principality of Bulgaria. The city was officially renamed Haskovo after Bulgaria gained full independence in 1908.

For a long time, the Haskovo region was known for growing high-quality tobacco. However, the big tobacco company "Haskovo-BT" closed in 2005. Today, the main businesses in Haskovo make food, machinery, and textiles.

Population and People

Haskovo's population has grown a lot over the years. In 1887, about 14,191 people lived there. The population grew steadily, reaching its highest point between 1987 and 1991, when over 90,000 people lived in the city.

According to the 2011 census, most people in Haskovo are Bulgarians. There are also many Turks and a smaller number of Roma people. Most people in Haskovo are Orthodox Christians, and a smaller group are Muslims.

Culture and Landmarks

Ivan Dimov Drama Theatre (established 1921), named after a famous Bulgarian actor

The Monument of the Holy Mother of God, one of the world's tallest statues of the Virgin Mary

Haskovo has several interesting cultural places. These include the Ivan Dimov drama theater, which was updated in 2004. There is also a Museum of History and an art gallery. Every year, a folk festival called "Colourful Thrace Sings and Dances" is held in the nearby Kenana park.

Monument of the Holy Mother of God

One of Haskovo's most famous landmarks is the Monument of the Holy Mother of God. This huge statue is 32 meters (about 105 feet) tall. It shows the Mother of God and the Infant Jesus. It was built in 2003 on the Hill of Youth.

The monument was opened on September 8th, which is also the day Haskovo celebrates its town holiday. It is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest monument to the Mother of God in the world.

Haskovo has also worked to make its town center look nicer. They have added new sculptures and fountains.

Other Important Sites

• The Aleksandrovo tomb is an ancient Thracian tomb nearby.
• The Church of the Assumption in Uzundzhovo village has a unique history. It was first built as a Christian church, then became a mosque during Ottoman times, and later was turned back into a church.
• The Eski cami (Old Mosque) was built in 1395. It is one of the oldest mosques in the Balkans. Its minaret (the tall tower) is slightly tilted!

Famous People from Haskovo

Many notable people come from Haskovo, including:

• Grigor Dimitrov (born 1991), a famous tennis player who won junior championships at Wimbledon and the US Open.
• Asen Zlatarov (1885–1936), a well-known scientist.
• Yuri Yunakov (born 1958), a musician famous for his role in Bulgarian wedding music.
• Gabriela Stoeva (born 1994), a badminton player who has won multiple European championships.

Places to Visit

Monuments

• Monument to the Holy Mother of God: This monument is in the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant. It was opened in 2003.
• The Bell Tower: This impressive tower is almost 29 meters (about 95 feet) tall. It was built in 2010 next to the Holy Mother of God monument.
• Monument to Captain Petko Voivoda
• Monument to the Unknown Warrior
• Monument to the Victory

Historic Buildings

• The Old Mosque (Eski Mosque): This is one of the earliest mosques in Bulgaria, built in 1395. It has been declared a cultural monument.
• The Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin in Uzundzhovo: This church has a fascinating history. It was originally a Christian temple, then became a mosque, and was later restored as a church. Two old Arabic writings were found during its restoration.

Partner Cities

Haskovo has "twin town" relationships with several cities around the world. This means they share cultural and economic ties.

• Edirne, Turkey
• Enguera, Spain
• Leicester, England, United Kingdom
• Shatura, Russia
• Veszprém, Hungary
• Viseu, Portugal

Economy

Haskovo has a varied economy with different types of businesses. These companies sell their products both in Bulgaria and to other countries.

The city's future plans include using its natural resources for farming. They also want to develop tourism because of the region's history, culture, and good transportation. Haskovo's partnerships with cities in other countries also help with its development.

Images for kids

• 

  New office building

• 

  City centre

• 

  Building

• 

  Haskovo municipality hall

• 

  View from Virgin Mary monument

• 

  The Virgin Mary monument

See also

In Spanish: Jaskovo para niños