Geographical Position
The Municipality of Chepelare is located in the central part of the Rhodope Mountains, along the upper stream of Chepelarska River, at altitude of 1150 meters and on a territory of 375 sq. m. Chepelare, towards the terrestrial globe, is located at 24° (degrees) and 42' (minutes) longitude East of the Greenwich meridian and at 41° (degrees) and 44' (minutes) north latitude of the equator. The municipal centre is 230 km from the capital city of Sofia, 80 km from the town of Plovdiv and 10 km from Pamporovo Resort. Greece is only 100 km from here via the newly built highway.
The population of the Municipality is 9,800 people.
Climate
The climate is temperate and transitory continental. There are four clearly defined seasons, namely spring, summer, autumn and winter. Chepelare is the sunniest town in Bulgaria for a period of 270 days throughout the whole year. The winter is mild and warm. The snow-cover lasts for a comparatively long period of time, from 80 to 120 days of the year with an average thickness of 30-80 cm. The spring comes comparatively late, and the summer is cool.
History
The Rhodope Mountains are a mysterious and enigmatic mountain since Antiquity. The mountain of the mythical Orpheus and the Bessae – the guardians of the famous temple of Dionysius. The archaeological excavations evidence for the presence of life there around the Ő˛˛ c. B.C. The remains of a great number of Thracian fortresses prove that there was a rich and varied social and cultural life here in Antiquity. The fortresses were guarded by the Thracian road from the town of Abdera (on the Aegean Sea) to the town of Istros (the Danube). The ore ledges in this region advantage the development of the metal production and the jewelry art since hoary Antiquity. The finds of bronze fibulae of Thracian type evidence that there were centers of cast production back in 7-8 c. BC. More than one third of all arc single-spring fibulae were discovered on the territory of the Municipality of Chepelare. The ore-mining continued its development even after the region was conquered by the Romans. There is some secondary information about this in the section for the mines and for those, working in them in a Law of the emperor Valentian I (364-375 AD) and in the works of the Roman poet Claudius (˛V c. AD). The discovered archeological finds glass vessels, glasses, clasps, coins and ceramics from the late Roman period (379-450 AD) evidence the continunuing intensive agricultural life. In 1911 traces of a Roman bath were found during archaeological finds, as for now they are the only trace of a city building in the Central Rhodope Mountains.
During the period of the First and Second Bulgarian Empire (681-1393) many medieval fortresses, settlements and necropolis were found, some of which were used back in the Thracian time.
During the Bulgarian Renaissance (1762-1878) there was great cultural and educational activity in the town of Chepelare and the towns and villages around it, proven by the existing 14 churches and 72 chapels. Four of the churches are declared artistic monuments of culture of national significance, and one of the churches and 15 chapels are declared artistic monuments of culture of local significance. Each church had a school as part of it.
Monuments of culture
There are 61 monuments of culture on the territory of the municipality of Chepelare, as 17 of them are proclaimed monuments of culture, and the other 44 are only declared monuments of culture. Three of the proclaimed monuments of culture are of national significance, 2 are for information, and the other 12 are of local significance. Three of the declared monuments of culture are of national significance, 1 is for information and 40 are of local significance.
Attractions
• Pedestrian tours and routes with qualified mountain guides;
• Picking of ecologically clean forest fruits and herbs;
• Fishing within the places allowed for this activity;
• Horse riding;
• Tours to various cultural and natural landmarks in the region of the Rhodope Mountains;
• The traditional “ROZHENSKI COUNCIL” – in the end of August;
• A basketball and volleyball hall in the former sport school;
• An open tennis court with a volleyball ground next to the building of Vasil Dechev Secondary School;
• Tennis tables in the former sport school;
• Visit to the NAO Rozhen;
• From 11th May until 24th May – cultural celebrations of the town;
• 24th May – official celebration of the town of Chepelare;
• Literature competition with the subject “Protection of the Rhodope Mountains”, organized by the Union for Protection of the Rhodope Mountains;
• Anniversaries of prominent citizens and public figures;
• Established traditions here are the family meetings, folk fairs and holy ceremonies. An amazing variety, shades and shapes of queer masks and fascinating rhythm of hundreds of Rhodopean bells and bagpipes attract more and more visitors, implicated in the magic of the Rhodopean folklore.
Sport
The sport is a philosophy of life for many citizens of Chepelare. It exalts and unites in harmony the abilities of the human body, will and mind. The sport, as a whole, forms the way of life, based on the joy of effort, the educative value of the positive example and the respect of all moral virtues of general validity. There are 8 registered sport clubs on the territory of the municipality of Chepelare, which develop the sport in the region – they are: “Biathlon”, “Orion” Snowboard, “Ski – Rozhen”, Orientation “Studenets”, Tennis table, Handbal “Zarenitsa”, Volleyball “Ivan Popov”, and “Cave club”.
