SHUMEN
After the crusades march of Vladislav Varnenchik during 1444, Shoumen was destroyed by the Turkish and moved to the present place at the foot of Ilchov Skat. Shoumen was one of the most active centers of the Bulgarian Renaissance. On the 11th of May, 1813, the city follows the first in Bulgaria celebration of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius and the first theatrical production. During 1828, it is founded the first ( ) school for girls and during 1856 the first ( ) class school and the first cultural community center. During 1846, the first schools amateur groups are founded. The first Bulgarian symphony orchestra is founded in Shoumen during 1850. Created here are notable Shoumen men – from the Renaissance: Dobri Voynikov, Vasil Droomev, Sava Dobroplodny, Panayot Volov, Nancho Polovich, Iliya R. Bluskov and others.
After the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule, Shoumen was the center of the region or the district during every administrative partition with two brief exceptions – after September 9th, 1944 for two years and from 1987 with the introduction of the new regions in Bulgaria. Now it is the center for a renowned municipality.
Area
In present-day Municipality of Shoumen is situated in the central part of Northeastern Bulgaria in area of 630 km2 (the middle Bulgarian municipality have territory round 436 km2). Municipality of Shoumen is situated in the Northeastern region for planning. The municipality is in the middle of region Shoumen – to south bordered with municipalities Veliki Preslav and Smiadovo, to north – with municipalities Kaspichan and Hitrino. To east Municipality of Shoumen bordered with Municipality of Provadia and region Varna, to west – with Municipality of Loznica from region Razgrad and Municilality of Targovishte from region Targovishte.
In the framework of the municipality included city of Shoumen and 26 villages – Belokopitovo, Blagovo, Vasil Drumev, Velino, Vehtovo, Gradishte, Dibich, Drumevo, Ivanski, Ilia Bluskovo, Kladenec, Koniovec, Kostena reka, Lozevo, Madara, Marash, Novosel, Ovcharovo, Panaiot Volovo, Radko Dimitrievo, Salmanovo, Srednia, Struino, Tsarev brod, Cherencha.
The general area of the built-up areas in the municipality is 36 027 decars, which represented 5.84 % from all territory. The agricultural fond 449 807 decars, among that workable land - 349 560 decars or 77.7 % from general workable fond. The wood fond of the municipality is 114 935 decars. The highways and the railway lines represented 2.57 % or 15 860 decars from the territory of the municipality.
The area of city of Shoumen is 17 700 decars, and the housing zone takes 11 140 decars, and the zone of town economy 6 560 decars. The general area of the 25 villages in the municipality is 18 327 decars.
Road network
The city is situated of important transport crossroad. Through him traversed North railways line Sofia-Varna and the link with direction Shumen-Komunari-South Bulgaria. The general length of the railway lines traversed through the territory of the Municipality is 30.16 km., as all are supplying with electricity. The doubled railway lines are 12.31 km.
In the area of the municipality traversed international highways № I-2 Ruse-Shoumen-Varna, № I-4 Sofia-Targovishte-Belokopitovo and № I-7 Silistra-Shoumen-Iambol. Through the territory of the Municipality of Shoumen will traversed and 23 km. from highway Hemus /Sofia-Varna/. By rhythmical insurance of resources this section may to be build in time to 2006.
The length of the between-town road network in the Municipality is 226.09 km. The rate-class highways are 45.455 km., and second-class - 16.848 km. The roads from three class are 37.200 km., and of the fourth grade with length 130.420 km. The asphalt-paved roads represented 68.4% or 154.62 km. from the general length of the between-town road network. In the territory of the city have 220 km. Town road network, fully covered with permanently flooring, from which 90% are asphalt-paved and 10% paved.
Built in honour of the 1300th anniversary from the establishment of the Bulgarian state. With the resources of the arcitecture and the sculpture in created the history of the first Bulgarian kingdom. Situated it is on 450 m. above sea level and is seen in from a 30 km radius.
Telephone: 054/ 52107
Working Hours: 9:00-19:00
Guided Lecture; Bulgarian, English, Russian, French, German
Rising three kilometers west of the city of Shoumen is the Shoumen Fortress which has existed more than 3200 years.
During early and late middle ages the Shoumen Fortress was Bulgarian maintained and played an important role in the history.
During 1444, bout the time of the crusade march of Vladislav III Yagelo, the fortress was destroyed and burned down.
The Fortress is one of the most explored archaeological sites in the country. The fortress and the cultural architecture, homes and thousands of movable monuments bear record of the diverse functions during the different periods, predominantly during the time of the second Bulgarian kingdom.
Today the Shoumen fortress is exhibited as an open-air museum.
Telephone: 054/55487; 58051
Working hours: 9:00 - 17:00 weekdays
Guided lecture: Bulgarian language