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86-593: Dimitar was born in Sliven (İslimiye), which was then part of the Ottoman Empire , to the family of the merchant Nikola Asenov and his wife Marinka Asenova. When he was two years old, his family went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem , from which point onward, Dimitar was considered to be a hajji (хаджия). During Hadzhi Stavri's Uprising of 1862 Hadzhi Dimitar wandered through the Balkan Mountains with

172-563: A band of revolutionaries for the whole summer. He joined the band of Stoyan Voyvoda in 1864 as a standard bearer. The band consisted of twelve people and was formed after the murder of the Greek bishop of Veliko Tarnovo . However, it disbanded before entering the city and its members separated from their leader. Hadzhi Dimitar assumed command and led the band into the Balkan Mountains near Sliven and then to Romania in August. Another band

258-637: A centre of a department in the autonomous province of Eastern Rumelia before its inclusion in the Principality of Bulgaria in 1885. At the municipal elections in September 1911, the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party won the most seats, but failed to take over the municipality until August 1912, when Dr. Yordan Danchev was elected mayor. The party won elections again in 1915 and 1919. A welfare bureau,

344-630: A complex. Under Tsar Ivan Alexander , Sliven was a town near the Roman Empire . During the Ottoman invasion, the medieval town was destroyed and the monasteries were burnt. The city was known as "İslimye" by the Turks. Sliven distinguished itself as a Jewish center. By 1859, 30 Jewish families lived in Sliven, where a synagogue and a Jewish school were built for them. The town was the settlement of

430-457: A dozen others, continues to grow as grapes are easily grown due to the climate conditions. In terms of heavy industry, the city produces electric lights and electrical machines. The city has also become notorious as a source of young girls who are trafficked into the sex industry. Sliven Sliven ( Bulgarian : Сливен [ˈslivɛn] ) is the eighth-largest city in Bulgaria and

516-471: A huge Smooth-leaved Elm in the center of the city. During Ottoman rule, Turkish officials used to hang Bulgarian revolutionaries on it. Today the city is helping the tree to live on by frequent evaluations and reinforcing its base. It was elected Bulgarian tree of the year in 2013. On 19 March 2014 the results of an online poll were revealed at a ceremony in the European Parliament. The Old Elm

602-521: A labor bureau, and municipal housing for the homeless were established. Binding regulations were issued on relations between workers and employers on wages, on weekends and holidays. The administration was dissolved on 31 January 1923 by a decision of the BZNS -dominated Sliven District Court. During the First World War it was the site of the Sliven prisoner of war camp , the largest such camp in

688-561: A lot of opportunities for cultural life. It served as the birthplace of many prominent Bulgarians, including Hadzhi Dimitar , Dobri Chintulov , Ivan Seliminski . Another notable native is Anton Pann who composed the Romanian national anthem. Another notable resident is Yordan Letchkov , whose goal in the 1994 World Cup eliminated defending champion Germany. Letchkov was mayor of Sliven from 2003 to 2011. Mayors from Bulgarian Socialist Party have been in charge of Sliven Municipality in

774-428: A martyr. After nearly two months, the bones of the hero were requested by and given to his mother, who brought them to his birthplace in Sliven . His death inspired Hristo Botev's poem "Hadzhi Dimitar" in 1873: He who falls while fighting to be free can never die: for him the sky and earth, the trees and beasts shall keen, to him the minstrel's song shall rise… Hadzhi Dimitar Peak on Graham Land , Antarctica

860-416: A population of over 20,000. The majority were Bulgarians. For a short period a centre of a department in the autonomous province of Eastern Rumelia before its inclusion in the Principality of Bulgaria in 1885. At the municipal elections in September 1911, the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party won the most seats, but failed to take over the municipality until August 1912, when Dr. Yordan Danchev

946-645: A strong Hajduk movement against the Ottomans and became known as "the town of the hundred voivodes". Among them were Hadzhi Dimitar , Zlati Voivoda and Panayot Hitov . As the chief priest of the Bulgarian Militia, Amphilohiy from Sliven consecrated the Samara flag in Ploiești . In the 17th century Sliven developed as a crafts centre and also famous for the production of guns, pickaxes, iron tools. During

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1032-400: Is located in the nature park Sinite Kamani (Сините камъни), whose peak Bulgarka (Българка, 1181 m.) is the highest in the eastern Balkan mountain. Sliven Municipality is situated on the sub-Balkan plain in the zone of transitional-continental climate. In the region of Sliven, winter is mild and summer is relatively warm. Autumn is longer than spring. The local wind Bora is typical for

1118-637: Is mentioned for the first time. Many Sliven residents participated in the Greek War of Independence . Hadzi Hristo was made a general and took the lead of the troops of Bulgarians, Albanians and Greeks, and was later elected to the Greek parliament. The inhabitants of the town also supported the Brăila revolt, Crimean War and participated in the Second Bulgarian Legion . During Ottoman rule it

1204-589: Is mild and summer is relatively warm. Autumn is longer than spring. The local wind Bora is typical for the region. According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, as of 2021, the total population of the Sliven Municipality is 115,241 inhabitants while 83,740 inhabitants live in the city of Sliven. The town is called the under-age mother capital of Europe, with 177 such births in 2008. Members of

1290-617: Is named after Hadzhi Dimitar. Roads and Neighbourhoods in Several Cities and Towns in Bulgaria are named after Hadzhi Dimitar. Subway Station Hadzhi Dimitar Metro Station is named after Hadzhi Dimitar. Sliven Sliven ( Bulgarian : Сливен [ˈslivɛn] ) is the eighth-largest city in Bulgaria and the administrative and industrial centre of Sliven Province and municipality in Northern Thrace . It

1376-646: Is situated in the Sliven Valley at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains . Sliven is famous for its heroic Haiduts who fought against the Ottoman Turks in the 19th century and is known as the "City of the 100 Voyvodi ", a Voyvoda being a leader of Haiduts. The famous rocky massif Sinite Kamani (Сините камъни, "The Blue Rocks") and the associated nature park, the fresh air and the mineral springs at Slivenski Mineralni Bani offer diverse opportunities for leisure and tourism. Investors are exploring

1462-614: Is the mayor of Sliven Municipality. In the local elections in 2011 and 2019 , he was nominated by GERB (he won in 2019). Hristin Petkov was mayor of the SDS from 1991 to 1995. In the 2011 local elections, the BSP candidate (and non-member of the party) General Kolyo Milev won in the second round with 52.94% of the votes counted against the GERB candidate (also non-member) Yordan Letchkov. Since 2015,

1548-403: Is Σλίβεν. Sliven is situated in the Sliven Valley at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains . It is located 300 km east of Bulgaria's capital Sofia , 100 km from Burgas , the country's largest commercial port, 130 km from the border with Turkey and 130 km from the border with Greece . It is located in close proximity to the cities of Yambol and Nova Zagora . West of

1634-617: The Brăila revolt, Crimean War and participated in the Second Bulgarian Legion . During Ottoman rule it was a sanjak centre in first Rumelia eyalet , then Silistre ( Özi ) eyalet, Edirne vilayet . During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829, the troops of General Hans Karl von Diebitsch entered Sliven. Continuous massacres of the Muslim population and desecration of mosques were made, involving both Bulgarian and Russian soldiers and local residents. The first Russian consulate

1720-529: The Federation of the Cultural and Educational Associations of Karakachans (ФКПДК) in Bulgaria each July. Karandila is located in the nature park Sinite Kamani (Сините камъни), whose peak Bulgarka (Българка, 1181 m.) is the highest in the eastern Balkan mountain. Sliven Municipality is situated on the sub-Balkan plain in the zone of transitional-continental climate. In the region of Sliven, winter

1806-515: The Gothic War , but was destroyed in the Huns' raid in the 5th century. During the reign of Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus , it was rebuilt, which retained the previous one's plan, but was considerably fortified. In the ancient fortress' interior and near its eastern wall, are excavated the remains of a basilica with a baptistery, which functioned in the 5th-6th centuries. It was likely destroyed by

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1892-597: The Neolithic . Ruins of a Thracian settlement dating to around 5th–3rd century BCE as well as Thracian ceramics and Hellenistic coins have been discovered in the area of Hisarlaka — a small hill in Sliven. In antiquity it was known as Selymnos (Σήλυμνος in Greek ) . The area occupied by present-day Sliven has in the past been settled by the Thracian tribes Asti, Kabileti and Seleti. These tribes held their independence until time of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander

1978-434: The Romanian national anthem. Another notable resident is Yordan Letchkov , whose goal in the 1994 World Cup eliminated defending champion Germany. Letchkov was mayor of Sliven from 2003 to 2011. Mayors from Bulgarian Socialist Party have been in charge of Sliven Municipality in the period 1990–1991, 1999–2003 and 2011–2015. For his second term (2007–2011), Yordan Letchkov was nominated by GERB . Since 2015, Stefan Radev

2064-481: The Tundzha to Serdika was built. In a written record from the 3rd century, the settlement was called ''Tarzhishte" and most likely belonged to the territory of the city of Augusta Traiana (today Stara Zagora ). The fortress avoided the Gothic War , but was destroyed in the Huns' raid in the 5th century. During the reign of Emperor Anastasius I Dicorus , it was rebuilt, which retained the previous one's plan, but

2150-557: The 10th-12th centuries. The findings of Hawk eagle ( Aquila fasciata ) and grouse ( Tetrao urogallus ) are among the rarest in the country. The town continued to exist after the dissolution of the first empire. The Pechenegs briefly controlled it in mid-10th century, after which it began to decline. In 1153, the town was rebuilt. The fortress was abandoned and ceased. During the Second Bulgarian Empire , twenty-four monasteries were built in its vicinity, which formed

2236-418: The 19th century. In 1738, the population of Sliven was predominantly Turkish. In a register from 1792, Sliven Sanjak is mentioned for the first time. Many Sliven residents participated in the Greek War of Independence . Hadzi Hristo was made a general and took the lead of the troops of Bulgarians, Albanians and Greeks, and was later elected to the Greek parliament. The inhabitants of the town also supported

2322-599: The Bulgarian Third Army located in the centre of the city, being situated relatively near to the sensitive Turkish border. Sliven Peak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands , Antarctica is named after Sliven. The name comes from the Slavic word sliv ("pour, confluence") + the Slavic suffix or ending -en . In Turkish the name of the city is İslimiye, while in Greek it

2408-546: The Danube at Vardim in a sail boat on 5 July and engaged in a battle with an Ottoman pursuing party of a thousand men in the vineyards of Karaisen , near Pavlikeni . The band managed to give the enemy the slip and reached the territory of Gorna Lipitsa . A second battle followed there on 7 July, in which the band caused considerable damage to the Ottomans while only losing one member and two others being wounded. The band proceeded to Vishovgrad , where it also fought on 8 July. On

2494-503: The Danube from Romania in the summer of 1866. It was led by Dyado Zhelyo , Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha. It split into three after reaching the mountains and was active until the autumn, when it regrouped to return to Romania. The band of Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha was established in Romania in 1868. Many of the members had been participants in the unsuccessful Belgrade -based Second Bulgarian Legion . Dimitar's band crossed

2580-580: The Great who conquered them. The 2nd century BCE marked the beginning of the Roman conquests of northeastern Thracia . Sliven was conquered by Rome around 72–71 BCE when the Thracian Kabile and later Greek cities of Kabile and Apolonia are conquered. With the emergence of the Roman Empire the region of the city became part of the Thracian province of the Roman Empire . A new stage in

2666-470: The Huns and rebuilt under Justinian I . A larger church was founded in the south of the fortress, built in the 5th century and enlarged in the 6th century. This indicates that the settlement was not limited to the territory of the fortress, but also expanded in the surrounding area. The city of Tuida/Tsuida was the seat of a bishop, subordinate to the Metropolitanate of Adrianople. Until that time

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2752-486: The Ottoman Empire was established in Sliven, with Dobri Zhelyazkov as its head. In 1864 a second one was opened, and in 1872 tobacco and spirit factories were established. From the beginning of the 16th century Sliven was the centre of a kaza , which retained its territory until the middle of the 19th century. In 1738, the population of Sliven was predominantly Turkish. In a register from 1792, Sliven Sanjak

2838-654: The Renaissance, Sliven emerged as an important trade, craft and cultural centre. The town was divided into residential, commercial and craft and administrative parts. Through the efforts of Dobri Chintulov and other Sliven notables, the Zora Community Centre was founded in 1860. The founder of the Bulgarian theatrical work was the Sliven-born public and cultural worker Sava Dobroplodni , who wrote

2924-508: The Russo-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878 which in return burnt 800 shops and 100 houses in the town centre. Metropolitan Seraphim is particularly credited with saving Sliven and a number of settlements and chifliks in the region from complete destruction. Sliven was liberated by Russian troops on 16 January 1878. In the 19th century, the town was a district centre and was one of the largest towns in Bulgaria with

3010-436: The Slavic word sliv ("pour, confluence") + the Slavic suffix or ending -en . In Turkish the name of the city is İslimiye, while in Greek it is Σλίβεν. Sliven is situated in the Sliven Valley at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains . It is located 300 km east of Bulgaria's capital Sofia , 100 km from Burgas , the country's largest commercial port, 130 km from the border with Turkey and 130 km from

3096-453: The administrative and industrial centre of Sliven Province and municipality in Northern Thrace . It is situated in the Sliven Valley at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains . Sliven is famous for its heroic Haiduts who fought against the Ottoman Turks in the 19th century and is known as the "City of the 100 Voyvodi ", a Voyvoda being a leader of Haiduts. The famous rocky massif Sinite Kamani (Сините камъни, "The Blue Rocks") and

3182-612: The area of Tuida, of which the etymology is unknown. The beginnings of the settlement weren't dated, but were before 870, when a lead seal of Boris I was discovered. The Bulgarians reconstructed the walls of the fortress and also the water supply at the northern gate. New buildings were built, some of which, have lined marble slabs made in Preslav 's stonemasonry workshops. Paleoornithologist Zlatozar Boev discovered bone remains of 14 species of wild and domestic birds in Hissarlaka from

3268-427: The associated nature park, the fresh air and the mineral springs at Slivenski Mineralni Bani offer diverse opportunities for leisure and tourism. Investors are exploring the opportunity to use the local wind (Bora) for the production of electricity. Another point of interest and a major symbol of the city as featured on the coat of arms, is the more than thousand-year-old Stariyat Briast (Старият Бряст, "The Old Elm"),

3354-467: The bishop seat was in Cabyle . In the 4th century, most likely due to the proximity of the two cities, which were in different provinces, Cabyle was abandoned and its population moved to Diospolis . The seat of the bishop, however, for unknown reasons, was moved to Tuida, which very likely marked the beginning of the proverbial rivalry between Sliven and Yambol. Tuida ceased to exist around 598-599, when it

3440-561: The bishop, however, for unknown reasons, was moved to Tuida, which very likely marked the beginning of the proverbial rivalry between Sliven and Yambol. Tuida ceased to exist around 598-599, when it was again destroyed, most likely by the Avars and Slavs . There is a theory that this happened as part of a major battle between the Avars and the Byzantine general Comentius. The area of Sliven

3526-426: The border with Greece . It is located in close proximity to the cities of Yambol and Nova Zagora . West of the city lies the so-called Peach Valley which contains large peach orchards. The city is also known for the mineral baths at Slivenski Mineralni Bani some 12 km southeast, whose water is used to treat diseases of the liver and nervous system. The most visited geographical location and attraction in

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3612-518: The city is helping the tree to live on by frequent evaluations and reinforcing its base. It was elected Bulgarian tree of the year in 2013. On 19 March 2014 the results of an online poll were revealed at a ceremony in the European Parliament. The Old Elm was voted European Tree of the Year 2014. The city also served as an important strategic centre for the Bulgarian Army , with the headquarters of

3698-482: The city is the Karandila (Карандила). It is a hilltop 1050m above sea level, with great sights overlooking the city. The rock formation Halkata (Хaлката, "The Ring") is located on the Karandila. It is a rock protrusion with a peculiar hole in the center. According to myth, one would have their most sincere wish granted upon passing through the ring. Karandila is the site of the annual Karakachani festival, organized by

3784-420: The city lies the so-called Peach Valley which contains large peach orchards. The city is also known for the mineral baths at Slivenski Mineralni Bani some 12 km southeast, whose water is used to treat diseases of the liver and nervous system. The most visited geographical location and attraction in the city is the Karandila (Карандила). It is a hilltop 1050m above sea level, with great sights overlooking

3870-556: The city's history began around 2nd-4th century. The first written records of the settlement's name, Tuida/Suida/Tsuida date to this period. This name is most likely of Thracian origin. Its etymology is currently not understood. It is also mentioned by Hierocles , who identifies it as one of the four cities in the province of Haemimontus , established as part of the Diocese of Thrace under Diocletian and also by Procopius of Caesarea . The Roman road from Anchialos (today Pomorie ) along

3956-438: The city. The rock formation Halkata (Хaлката, "The Ring") is located on the Karandila. It is a rock protrusion with a peculiar hole in the center. According to myth, one would have their most sincere wish granted upon passing through the ring. Karandila is the site of the annual Karakachani festival, organized by the Federation of the Cultural and Educational Associations of Karakachans (ФКПДК) in Bulgaria each July. Karandila

4042-495: The country. It was the place of internment for Greek and Serbian civilians and soldiers, with peak numbers of 19,000. From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Bulgaria until the beginning of the socialist economy, the industry was concentrated in the northern parts of the city. The new government gradually began to consolidate the existing factories and built new ones, with industry concentrating around

4128-433: The emergence of the Roman Empire the region of the city became part of the Thracian province of the Roman Empire . A new stage in the city's history began around 2nd-4th century. The first written records of the settlement's name, Tuida/Suida/Tsuida date to this period. This name is most likely of Thracian origin. Its etymology is currently not understood. It is also mentioned by Hierocles , who identifies it as one of

4214-400: The existing factories and built new ones, with industry concentrating around the newly built station. At some point the industrial workforce numbered 20,000, 1/2 of whom were in textile production - wool and cotton textiles. The second most important is the food industry and the third is the machine building industry (ZMM - Sliven, Dinamo Plant, etc.). In more modern times, Sliven became one of

4300-573: The first factory in Bulgarian lands, thus starting industrial development in Bulgaria. Sliven was one of the largest industrial centers in Bulgaria, playing an important role during the Bulgarian National Revival . It has long-lived traditions in textiles, machine-building, glass-making, chemical production, and the technical and food industries. Following the beginning of communist rule in Bulgaria in 1944, most industries were nationalized and much industrial building and development

4386-408: The first play in Bulgarian history - "Mihal Mishkoed". In 1843, the first textile industrial enterprise in the Ottoman Empire was established in Sliven, with Dobri Zhelyazkov as its head. In 1864 a second one was opened, and in 1872 tobacco and spirit factories were established. From the beginning of the 16th century Sliven was the centre of a kaza , which retained its territory until the middle of

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4472-427: The following ethnic groups are represented in the city's population: Total: 91,620 In Sliven Municipality , 88,750 declared as Bulgarians, 12,153 as Roma, 4,209 as Turks, and 18,641 did not declare their ethnic group. The city of Sliven, Sliven Municipality and Sliven Province have the largest number of Roma in Bulgaria. Remains of the oldest settlements on the territory of Sliven date back to around 6000 BCE of

4558-448: The four cities in the province of Haemimontus , established as part of the Diocese of Thrace under Diocletian and also by Procopius of Caesarea . The Roman road from Anchialos (today Pomorie ) along the Tundzha to Serdika was built. In a written record from the 3rd century, the settlement was called ''Tarzhishte" and most likely belonged to the territory of the city of Augusta Traiana (today Stara Zagora ). The fortress avoided

4644-428: The hundred voivodes". Among them were Hadzhi Dimitar , Zlati Voivoda and Panayot Hitov . As the chief priest of the Bulgarian Militia, Amphilohiy from Sliven consecrated the Samara flag in Ploiești . In the 17th century Sliven developed as a crafts centre and also famous for the production of guns, pickaxes, iron tools. During the Renaissance, Sliven emerged as an important trade, craft and cultural centre. The town

4730-458: The largest number of Roma in Bulgaria. Remains of the oldest settlements on the territory of Sliven date back to around 6000 BCE of the Neolithic . Ruins of a Thracian settlement dating to around 5th–3rd century BCE as well as Thracian ceramics and Hellenistic coins have been discovered in the area of Hisarlaka — a small hill in Sliven. In antiquity it was known as Selymnos (Σήλυμνος in Greek ) . The area occupied by present-day Sliven has in

4816-418: The mayor of Sliven has been Stefan Radev, nominated by PP GERB (2015 and 2019), re-elected with 64.75% in the second round of local elections in 2019. On 11 November 2019, he officially took office. The economy of Sliven has centered around industry since the early 19th century. In 1834, Dobri Zhelyazkov established the first factory in Bulgarian lands, thus starting industrial development in Bulgaria. Sliven

4902-479: The most significant cultural centres during the Bulgarian National Revival, with much of its old heritage still preserved and enriched and today offers to its citizens and visitors a lot of opportunities for cultural life. It served as the birthplace of many prominent Bulgarians, including Hadzhi Dimitar , Dobri Chintulov , Ivan Seliminski . Another notable native is Anton Pann who composed

4988-677: The national church struggle. In 1859, the people of Sliven expelled the Greek bishop, and the Diocese of Sliven entered the borders of the Bulgarian Exarchate established on 28 February 1870. The first spiritual leader of the diocese was Metropolitan Seraphim of Sliven. During the April Uprising , Sliven was the centre of the Second Revolutionary District. Battles were fought near the town during

5074-504: The newly built station. At some point the industrial workforce numbered 20,000, 1/2 of whom were in textile production - wool and cotton textiles. The second most important is the food industry and the third is the machine building industry (ZMM - Sliven, Dinamo Plant, etc.). In more modern times, Sliven became one of the most significant cultural centres during the Bulgarian National Revival, with much of its old heritage still preserved and enriched and today offers to its citizens and visitors

5160-547: The next day, not far to the south-southeast, there was a bloody fight in which Karadzha was wounded and captured, and the band was defeated. The remaining 58 members proceeded to the Balkan Mountains under the leadership of Hadzhi Dimitar, only to be crushed at Buzludzha Peak on 18 July. After being defeated in this last battle, leader Hadzhi Dimitar, heavily wounded, was carried on a stretcher by his surviving comrades away from Ottoman army, up Mount Kadrafill, 3 km from

5246-399: The opportunity to use the local wind (Bora) for the production of electricity. Another point of interest and a major symbol of the city as featured on the coat of arms, is the more than thousand-year-old Stariyat Briast (Старият Бряст, "The Old Elm"), a huge Smooth-leaved Elm in the center of the city. During Ottoman rule, Turkish officials used to hang Bulgarian revolutionaries on it. Today

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5332-437: The past been settled by the Thracian tribes Asti, Kabileti and Seleti. These tribes held their independence until time of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great who conquered them. The 2nd century BCE marked the beginning of the Roman conquests of northeastern Thracia . Sliven was conquered by Rome around 72–71 BCE when the Thracian Kabile and later Greek cities of Kabile and Apolonia are conquered. With

5418-462: The people of Sliven expelled the Greek bishop, and the Diocese of Sliven entered the borders of the Bulgarian Exarchate established on 28 February 1870. The first spiritual leader of the diocese was Metropolitan Seraphim of Sliven. During the April Uprising , Sliven was the centre of the Second Revolutionary District. Battles were fought near the town during the Russo-Turkish Liberation War of 1877-1878 which in return burnt 800 shops and 100 houses in

5504-431: The period 1990–1991, 1999–2003 and 2011–2015. For his second term (2007–2011), Yordan Letchkov was nominated by GERB . Since 2015, Stefan Radev is the mayor of Sliven Municipality. In the local elections in 2011 and 2019 , he was nominated by GERB (he won in 2019). Hristin Petkov was mayor of the SDS from 1991 to 1995. In the 2011 local elections, the BSP candidate (and non-member of the party) General Kolyo Milev won in

5590-411: The rarest in the country. The town continued to exist after the dissolution of the first empire. The Pechenegs briefly controlled it in mid-10th century, after which it began to decline. In 1153, the town was rebuilt. The fortress was abandoned and ceased. During the Second Bulgarian Empire , twenty-four monasteries were built in its vicinity, which formed a complex. Under Tsar Ivan Alexander , Sliven

5676-607: The region. According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, as of 2021, the total population of the Sliven Municipality is 115,241 inhabitants while 83,740 inhabitants live in the city of Sliven. The town is called the under-age mother capital of Europe, with 177 such births in 2008. Members of the following ethnic groups are represented in the city's population: Total: 91,620 In Sliven Municipality , 88,750 declared as Bulgarians, 12,153 as Roma, 4,209 as Turks, and 18,641 did not declare their ethnic group. The city of Sliven, Sliven Municipality and Sliven Province have

5762-450: The second round with 52.94% of the votes counted against the GERB candidate (also non-member) Yordan Letchkov. Since 2015, the mayor of Sliven has been Stefan Radev, nominated by PP GERB (2015 and 2019), re-elected with 64.75% in the second round of local elections in 2019. On 11 November 2019, he officially took office. The economy of Sliven has centered around industry since the early 19th century. In 1834, Dobri Zhelyazkov established

5848-409: The town centre. Metropolitan Seraphim is particularly credited with saving Sliven and a number of settlements and chifliks in the region from complete destruction. Sliven was liberated by Russian troops on 16 January 1878. In the 19th century, the town was a district centre and was one of the largest towns in Bulgaria with a population of over 20,000. The majority were Bulgarians. For a short period

5934-493: The village of Svezhen . There he and his comrades were supported by the local people with water, food and herbs, until his death somewhere around the middle of August 1868. He was buried beneath the same mountain. On 6 November 1880, his bones were reburied in the yard of "St.Peter and St.Paul" Church in the village of Svezhen. The funeral service was conducted by the Bishop of Plovdiv Gervassius of Levkia , who made Hadzhi Dimitar

6020-419: The walls of the fortress and also the water supply at the northern gate. New buildings were built, some of which, have lined marble slabs made in Preslav 's stonemasonry workshops. Paleoornithologist Zlatozar Boev discovered bone remains of 14 species of wild and domestic birds in Hissarlaka from the 10th-12th centuries. The findings of Hawk eagle ( Aquila fasciata ) and grouse ( Tetrao urogallus ) are among

6106-489: The withdrawal of the Russian troops, more than 15,000 people from the town and surrounding villages were displaced to southern Russia, Bessarabia and Wallachia, while only 2,000-3,000 Bulgarians remained in the town. With this, Sliven suffered a severe demographic and economic blow, which blunted the momentum of its former development. The inhabitants of Sliven became actively involved in the national church struggle. In 1859,

6192-475: Was a sanjak centre in first Rumelia eyalet , then Silistre ( Özi ) eyalet, Edirne vilayet . During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829, the troops of General Hans Karl von Diebitsch entered Sliven. Continuous massacres of the Muslim population and desecration of mosques were made, involving both Bulgarian and Russian soldiers and local residents. The first Russian consulate was opened here in April 1830. After

6278-444: Was a town near the Roman Empire . During the Ottoman invasion, the medieval town was destroyed and the monasteries were burnt. The city was known as "İslimye" by the Turks. Sliven distinguished itself as a Jewish center. By 1859, 30 Jewish families lived in Sliven, where a synagogue and a Jewish school were built for them. The town was the settlement of a strong Hajduk movement against the Ottomans and became known as "the town of

6364-635: Was again destroyed, most likely by the Avars and Slavs . There is a theory that this happened as part of a major battle between the Avars and the Byzantine general Comentius. The area of Sliven was incorporated into the First Bulgarian Empire around 705 as part of the Slav-settled Zagore , according to Tervel's treaty with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II . A settlement was established on

6450-413: Was considerably fortified. In the ancient fortress' interior and near its eastern wall, are excavated the remains of a basilica with a baptistery, which functioned in the 5th-6th centuries. It was likely destroyed by the Huns and rebuilt under Justinian I . A larger church was founded in the south of the fortress, built in the 5th century and enlarged in the 6th century. This indicates that the settlement

6536-421: Was divided into residential, commercial and craft and administrative parts. Through the efforts of Dobri Chintulov and other Sliven notables, the Zora Community Centre was founded in 1860. The founder of the Bulgarian theatrical work was the Sliven-born public and cultural worker Sava Dobroplodni , who wrote the first play in Bulgarian history - "Mihal Mishkoed". In 1843, the first textile industrial enterprise in

6622-416: Was elected mayor. The party won elections again in 1915 and 1919. A welfare bureau, a labor bureau, and municipal housing for the homeless were established. Binding regulations were issued on relations between workers and employers on wages, on weekends and holidays. The administration was dissolved on 31 January 1923 by a decision of the BZNS -dominated Sliven District Court. During the First World War it

6708-627: Was formed in the home of Georgi Sava Rakovski on 21 May 1865. Among its members were Hadzhi Dimitar, Stefan Karadzha , Yurdan Yurdanov , Petar Shivarov and Todor Shivarov . The band crossed the Danube near Silistra on 13 June and headed for the mountains near Kotel through the Ludogorie . It was active in the region of the Tundzha , Tvarditsa , Karlovo , Gabrovo and the well-known hajduk gathering place Aglikina Polyana. This band returned to Romania in August 1865. A 20-member band crossed

6794-403: Was incorporated into the First Bulgarian Empire around 705 as part of the Slav-settled Zagore , according to Tervel's treaty with the Byzantine Emperor Justinian II . A settlement was established on the area of Tuida, of which the etymology is unknown. The beginnings of the settlement weren't dated, but were before 870, when a lead seal of Boris I was discovered. The Bulgarians reconstructed

6880-426: Was not limited to the territory of the fortress, but also expanded in the surrounding area. The city of Tuida/Tsuida was the seat of a bishop, subordinate to the Metropolitanate of Adrianople. Until that time the bishop seat was in Cabyle . In the 4th century, most likely due to the proximity of the two cities, which were in different provinces, Cabyle was abandoned and its population moved to Diospolis . The seat of

6966-399: Was one of the largest industrial centers in Bulgaria, playing an important role during the Bulgarian National Revival . It has long-lived traditions in textiles, machine-building, glass-making, chemical production, and the technical and food industries. Following the beginning of communist rule in Bulgaria in 1944, most industries were nationalized and much industrial building and development

7052-433: Was opened here in April 1830. After the withdrawal of the Russian troops, more than 15,000 people from the town and surrounding villages were displaced to southern Russia, Bessarabia and Wallachia, while only 2,000-3,000 Bulgarians remained in the town. With this, Sliven suffered a severe demographic and economic blow, which blunted the momentum of its former development. The inhabitants of Sliven became actively involved in

7138-525: Was spurred. Industry continued to develop until the fall of communism, at which point much of the previously built industry stagnated; many plants and factories were shut down and there was little development. In contemporary times, Sliven has experienced a surge in economy with increased investment, banking establishments and new industries have begun to emerge. The dairy industry, which has long been present, continues to grow and thrive. The wine industry, with companies such as Vinprom and Vini Sliven and about

7224-525: Was spurred. Industry continued to develop until the fall of communism, at which point much of the previously built industry stagnated; many plants and factories were shut down and there was little development. In contemporary times, Sliven has experienced a surge in economy with increased investment, banking establishments and new industries have begun to emerge. The dairy industry, which has long been present, continues to grow and thrive. The wine industry, with companies such as Vinprom and Vini Sliven and about

7310-420: Was the site of the Sliven prisoner of war camp , the largest such camp in the country. It was the place of internment for Greek and Serbian civilians and soldiers, with peak numbers of 19,000. From the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Bulgaria until the beginning of the socialist economy, the industry was concentrated in the northern parts of the city. The new government gradually began to consolidate

7396-402: Was voted European Tree of the Year 2014. The city also served as an important strategic centre for the Bulgarian Army , with the headquarters of the Bulgarian Third Army located in the centre of the city, being situated relatively near to the sensitive Turkish border. Sliven Peak on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands , Antarctica is named after Sliven. The name comes from

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