Simitli

Summary

Simitli (Bulgarian: Симитли [simitˈli]) also known as Simitliya (Bulgarian: Симитлия), is a town in Blagoevgrad Province in southwestern Bulgaria. It has a population of 7,454 and is located 17 km south of Blagoevgrad. It is the seat of Simitli Municipality.

Симитли
Симитли
Town
Симитли is located in Bulgaria
Симитли
Симитли
Location of Simitli
Coordinates: 41°53′N 23°7′E / 41.883°N 23.117°E / 41.883; 23.117
CountryBulgaria
Provinces
(Oblast)
Blagoevgrad
Government
 • MayorApostol Apostolov
Elevation
323 m (1,060 ft)
Population
 (2005-09-13)
 • Total7,454
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
2730
Area code0748
Vehicle registrationE

Geography edit

 
Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God

The town is located in the Simitli Valley at the foothills of the Rila, Pirin and Vlahina mountain ranges. Simitli is on both banks of the river Struma, at the confluence with its tributary the Gradevska reka. Geographical locations of note are the Komatinski Cliffs between Brestovo and Sushitsa, the Kresna Gorge along the Struma, and the foothills of the Pirin Mountains at Senokos.

Transportation edit

Simitli lies along the parallel Struma motorway and first class I-1 road along the Struma valley, part of European route E79, that link the capital Sofia and the provincial centre Blagoevgrad with Greece at Kulata. At Simitli the second class II-19 road branches off I-1 heading to the town and winter resort of Bansko in the Razlog Valley. Simitli is also part of the Bulgarian State Railways network from Sofia to Greece.

Tourism edit

Some of the best whitewater rapids in the Balkans can be found on the Struma river in the Kresna Gorge.[1] The rafting and kayaking season is from April to July and there is guided rafting every weekend. Simitli is also part of the EuroCup circuit for the European Rafting Federation every year. Every second weekend of January, there is a Kukeri or Surva festival held in the local stadium by E-79 which rivals Razlog and Pernik's own Kukeri Festivals.

References edit

  1. ^ "Rafting base at Struma river (Town of Simitli)". Guide Bulgaria. Retrieved 2021-02-02.

External links edit

  • www.senokos.com | Tourism website for village Senokos
  • www.ternipe-simitli.org | Website for local Roma NGO that creates monthly magazine for Simitli
  • www.hoteldimario.com | Website for Hotel DiMario, a local hotel in Simitli