Location and climate

The town of Sevlievo is situated in the Central North Bulgaria close to the geographical centre of the country, 178 km far from the capital Sofia and 283 km far from the Black sea capital Varna. It is situated on main road E77.

Sevlievo is situated 201 m above sea level. On the crest of Stara Planina mountain some of the peaks reach 1900 m above sea level and the hilly terrain is approximately 400 - 700 meters altitude.

Part of the vegetation is of high-stem broad-leaved forests, meadows and pastures and the agricultural land in the municipality of Sevlievo is 42 000 ares.

The climate is temperate continental with a high amplitude between the highest and the lowest annual temperatures - from plus 30-35°C in the summer to minus 20-25°C during the winter.

The huge forest areas in the south high part of Sevlievo municipality provides significant water resources. Their water collective basins lay the beginning of two bigger rivers - Rositsa and Vidima, which flow together immediately near the town, and their joined waters provide resources to one of the biggest artificial basins in Bulgaria - the Alexader Stamboliiski reservoir.

History

Sevlievo is a town with a history of ten centuries. The town was founded at the end of the 10-th century on a steep hill over the defile of Rositza river. More than two decades the archeologists have been revealing massive residential buildings, workshops and churches, the fortified walls and the towers of the medieval town Hotalich. The town has been a strategic point in the defence of the capital Tzarevgrad Tarnov. Hotalich has survived by the end of XVII century when its administrative and economic functions have been assumed by Selvi-Sevlievo. During XVIII - XIX century Sevlievo has become a significant center of crafts and culture. Wealthy craftsmen and entrepreneurs began building churches, monasteries and schools. A very attractive sight to visit is the medieval Batoshevo monastery famous for its beautiful architecture and wonderful frescoes, the altar and the wood-carved iconostasis. The monastery offers accommodation for longer stays.

Other sights to visit are some of the village churches in the region where unique wood-carved altars, ancient icons and beautiful church plates from XVIII and XIX centuries are preserved.

Sport

As a venue for European and world motocross championships Sevlievo has become a worldwide famous town. The recently constructed motocross racetrack in the village of Rositza only a few kilometers far from the town is one of the most modern sports equipment in Europe and has been highly appreciated by the World and the European Motorcycle Federations.

9 km to the north of Sevlievo is the village of Sennik. It is the birth place of the World Champion in free style wrestling Dan Kolov and his home is now a museum. In commemoration of him the sports hall in Sevlievo has been named Dan Kolov. It is the venue for many local, national and international competitions in different sports.

22 kilometers to the north of the town near the village of Mladen, beside Alexander Stambolijski reservoir accommodation places for aquatic sports and sports fishing fans are located. Fans of these sports may also visit the Bogatovo reservoir.

The municipality of Sevlievo borders the Central Balkans National Park thus providing opportunities for high mountain tourism to the highest peak of Stara Planina mountain - Botev (2921 m) with starting points the accommodation places in the village of Lagat and the town of Apriltzi.

Nowadays

Nowadays Sevlievo is a modern town with highly developed industry mainly for export to the European union and worldwide. Proud with its centuries-old past the town is building its present and future - education, culture, sport, environment protection and tourism.