Svilengrad

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Svilengrad (Bulgarian: Свиленград, Turkish: Mustafapaşa) is a municipality in Bulgaria situated at the border of Turkey and Greece. It is in the Haskovo Province.

With a population of approximately 20,000, Svilengrad is close to the road borders of Greece and Turkey (supposedly one of the largest road customs in Europe). Svilengrad is located ESE of Sofia and Plovdiv, S of Varna and Burgas, W of Edirne and N of the nearest Greek community Ormeni and Alexandroupoli in Greece. There is a higher level of employment than in surrounding villages. Most people are working for customs and border related industries e.g. TIR servicing, hotels, border police, etc. The Town center boasts a pedestrianized high street mostly filled with cafes, bars, phone shops and hotels. The town has 3 DVD rental shops, two cinemas and town library. The Maritsa river flows west of Svilengrad. The Evros Prefecture and Trigono of Greece is bordered to the south. The Rhodope mountains lie to the west and southwest. The area to the southwest is famous for its fruittrees.

Contents

[edit] Origins

During Ottoman times, the town's name was Mustafapasha.

In 1529, the Old Bridge (Bulgarian: Старият мост) over the Maritsa, one of the symbols of the town, was erected.

[edit] Communities

[edit] Transportation

  • A1, the Maritsa, access to Ö8 superhighway in Turkey bypasses Svilengrad
  • BG-9
  • BG-55
  • Road to Ormeni and Alexandroupoli in Greece, not part of E85

[edit] Persons

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 41°46′N 26°12′E

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