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Town in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Photo: Cawiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Karlovo (Bulgarian: Карлово) is a beautiful town of about 20,000 inhabitants (2021) in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria. It's best known as the birthplace of Bulgarian national hero Vasil Levski who organised an uprising against the Ottoman rule in the late 19th century. Tourists can also enjoy preserved examples of 19th century architecture. For hikers, it's also one of the starting points towards Botev Peak, the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains (2376 m).
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Finished in 1903, the memorial of the national hero is one of the main sights in Karlovo. It looks a bit strange as Levski is pointing his revolver directly at the onlookers. The roaring lion next to him refers both to the translation of Levski's name ("lion-like") and lions being the heraldic animal of Bulgaria.
Площад 20 юли
The town square of Karlovo, named in memory of the massacre of 800 Bulgarians by Turks in the town on 20 July 1877, during the Russo-Turkish war. There's a memorial to the massacre as well. Buildings surrounding the square include an eclectic bank building, a library built during the People's Republic of Bulgaria, a city hall with a mural symbolizing space exploration and peaceful use of nuclear power.
Свети Никола
A church in what can be described as "experimental" style (like the nearby historical museum), finished in 1847. It has unusually large windows for its time and a set of columns giving it an Italian appearance.
Успение Богородично
A small stone church from 1851, with a blue and white bell tower added in 1897, and a mural of Levski on the northern wall.
Куршум джамия
Built by the Turkish in 1485, the mosque is the oldest building in town. Nationalized during Communism, it was returned to the Islamic community in 2014 , nevertheless it remains closed.
Старинно Карлово
This museum is a set of traditional houses with restored interiors. Most require a little effort to visit, there are signs outside each of them with a description of what's displayed on the inside and contact information of the caretaker. To see the indoors, you need to contact them to come and open the house and pay a fee of a couple of leva.
Бухаловият хан
The name of this handicraft museum translates to Buhalov's Inn, as the building first was built as an inn. There are for instance wool toys, lace, and woodcarvings on display. Also, the decorated building with the second floor coming out of the building a bit is indeed an attraction in itself (it includes a café with nice views of the mountains). The staff of the souvenir shop act as guides and most speak English.
Национален музей "Васил Левски"
Vasil Levski was born in a building from the 18th century at this place, but the current building is a replica from 1933. The house can be admired from the outside and the interior through the windows. There's more to see in the adjacent exhibition hall; documents, objects, paintings and holograms. There's also a memorial chapel with a strand of Levski's hair and a statue of his mother.
Presents Karlovo during Ottoman rule, as well as the independence struggle in the 19th century. The building is a former school from 1871, whose architecture combines national style, baroque and classicist elements.
Патевата къща
A wooden house painted brown, making it an unusual sight in Karlovo. It was named after Vasil Patev, the first owner of the house.
Къща "Райно Попович"
The home of teacher Raino Popovich who in 1826 opened the first school in Karlovo where lessons were taught in Bulgarian. All the local revolutionaries studied here. Visitors can try printing something on the old printing press in the house.
Къща "Белият двор"
An art school where visitors can see art being created and buy finished works by students.
Мазаковата къща
The ethnographic part of the city museum is in this red house. Showcasing traditional crafts and local life in the late 19th and early 20th century, this is probably the best museum for people who are less interested in Levski and the independence struggle.
Даскал Ботевата къща
Hristo Botev, born in the nearby town of Kalofer (where the main memorials to him can be found), was another revolutionary figure just like Levski. His home in Karlovo is also a museum, though not that impressive. The house built around 1800 was named after the nickname of his father, Botyo Petkov (Daskal Botyo, "teacher Botyo").
фабрика за вълнени издълия
Industrial heritage is not so common in Bulgaria. This former wool factory from 1891 was built by Evlogi Georgiev. His villa on the factory grounds looks like it's about to collapse. The factory is in a better shape, but it is likewise abandoned.
Водопад Сучурум
The Stara River comes down the mountainside and forms an 8-meter high waterfall right north of the town. While it's not so that high, it is picturesque. There's a hydroelectric plant nearby driven by water from another river flowing down the mountain through pipes.
ШЕНИТ, earlier Zakusvalnya/Закусвалня
Traditional Bulgarian eatery, rough and colorful.
Кафе «Венера»
A cute café in a former building of a "women's club". There's no hot food but a range of drinks and outdoor seating if you like.
Механа «Водопад»
Traditional restaurant housed in a wooden pavilion.
Пицария "Старо Карлово"
Cheap and tasty pizza in the old town.
Сладкарница Deja Vu
Pastry shop with Turkish coffee and a range of cakes.
Гостиница «Щерев»
Hotel at the main square with Wi-Fi, tv, A/C and minibars in the rooms. Guests have complained about small rooms and poor service, however. There's a restaurant on the ground floor serving hot food all day.
Зоевата къща
Two old wooden villas, sleeping 8 and 12 persons, suitable for bigger parties as you can't book just a part of the villa.
Отель «Ханът»
Grocery supermarket.
By bus
There are buses from Plovdiv every hour, with a journey time of one hour. Two buses a day come in from Pleven via Troyan, providing the only connection in from the north.
By car
There are roads from all four cardinal directions.
The town is quite small and you can walk from anywhere to anywhere in less than 20 minutes or so. Taxis are also available (see advice at Bulgaria#By taxi). There may be an infrequent city bus service too.
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