Information About

Aitos





HISTORY

Aitos and the municipality have a rich and long history dating back to antiquity. An old settlement founded by Thracian tribes, archeological finds near the town testify that Aitos' existence dates back to the 5th Century BC . According to an ancient Thracian legend, Aetos – one of Orpheus ’ students and followers, founded the town. Throughout the centuries, the town has been known under different names including ''Aetos'', ''Astos'', ''Idos'', ''Akvilia'', etc.

During the reign of Khan Tervel , the region was incorporated in the Bulgarian Empire for the first time. The fortress ''Aetos'' took an important part in the defensive system of the Bulgarian lands against the sudden attacks of the Tatars , the Avars and the Crusade rs.

In 1378 the town was conquered by the armies of the Ottoman Empire under Murad I . During the Russian-Turkish War (1828-1829), General Dibich Zabalkanski turned the town into a strategic strong point. After the peace was signed in Odrin in 1829, many of the town's citizens fled to Bessarabia to join the Bessarabian Bulgarians .

During the Bulgarian National Revival , the population participated actively in the Bulgarian struggles for liberation. Vasil Levski organized a revolutionary committee in the town.

After the Liberation, Aitos became a vivid commercial centre, reputedly more important than Burgas . The first girls' agricultural school in the country was established in Aitos during the period.


TRANSPORT

The geographic location determines the special significance of the municipality as a transport junction, where the road networks between Northern Bulgaria and Southern Bulgaria in this part of the country join. Important highways and the railway from Sofia to Burgas pass through it. Its good transport characteristics are also determined by the fact that it is only 28 km from Burgas, a key Black Sea port.


CULTURE

The town hosts the annual national folk festival " Slaveevi Noshti " ("Nightingales' Nights"), which takes place every Spring during the months of May and June. The festival is held at the "Slaveeva Reka" Recreational Park. It celebrates traditional dance and folk music from across Bulgaria.


SPORTS

Established in the early '50s, the famous Aitos Sports Academy “Vihar” has produced many national and international gymanstics champions including three-time international champion Silvia Kostova . The Academy has a popular soccer team as well, "Vihar Aitos".


RECREATION AND TOURISM



Natural Landmarks

  • Recreation Park " Slaveeva Reka " ("Nightingale's River") - Few towns in Bulgaria can boast parks as big as "Slaveeva Reka" park. Impressive in size and diverse in natural beauty, the park also hosts the Aitos Animal Zoo.

  • Rock Formation " Trite Bratya " ("The Three Brothers")

  • Natural Reserve " Kazanite "

  • Natural Reserve "Hisarya"

  • State Forest " Koriata "



Historical Landmarks

  • Ancient Fortress "Aetos"

  • Aitoski Historical Prohod - Connecting the ancient lands of Thrace and Moesia

  • St. Dimitar Orthodox Church

  • Aitos Mineral Baths



Cultural Landmarks

  • Ethnographic Complex "Genger" - A small Etara -like ethnographic center built in the traditional local architectural style. The complex has a variety of different traditional Bulgarian arts and crafts shops as well as a traditional hotel, taverns, cafes and restaurants.

  • Museum of Painter "Peter Stanev"

  • Theater "Vasil Levksi"



FAMOUS CITIZENS



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