Kotel, Bulgaria

Kotel (Bulgarian: Котел [ˈkɔtɛɫ], Sarakatsani Greek: Κότελ) is a town in central Bulgaria, part of Sliven Province. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Kotel Municipality. In 2016, the town had a population of 5,329.[1]

Kotel
Котел
Κότελ
Kotel is located in Bulgaria
Kotel
Kotel
Kotel, Bulgaria
Coordinates: 42°53′12″N 26°26′58″E
CountryBulgaria
Province
(Oblast)		Sliven
Government
 • MayorKosta Karanashev
Elevation
643 m (2,110 ft)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total5 329
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal Code
8970
Area code0453
License plateCH

Kotel is known for the numerous personalities of the Bulgarian National Revival who are connected to the town in various ways, such as the politicians Alexander Bogoridi and Stefan Bogoridi, the enlighteners Sophronius of Vratsa and Petar Beron, public figure Gavril Krastevich, revolutionary Georgi Rakovski, as well as the World War II prime minister Dobri Bozhilov. It has a well-known music school and a large Romani population who can be found playing in restaurants and orchestras all over Bulgaria. Because of its location in the mountains, Kotel is also a popular health resort for the cure of diseases such as tuberculosis. Kotel has been a center for carpet making and there is a museum devoted to the craft.

Geography

The town is located in East Stara planina.

Landmarks
  • Zlosten protected area
  • Urushki skali protected area
  • Eagle Caves protected area

History
Kotel 1932

Kotel was settled during the beginning of the Ottoman occupation of Bulgaria, when people fled from neighboring cities and towns. The earliest information about the town is found in an Ottoman Turkish register from 1486. In 1894, much of Kotel was destroyed in a fire.

Honour

Kotel Gap on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, is named after Kotel.

Culture

Education

Kotel Literary School was established in the 16th century. Sophronius of Vratsa is a prominent representative of this school.

Saglasie-Napredak 1870 cultural center

The Saglasie-Napredak 1870 cultural center was founded in 1870.

Post card from Kotel

Agriculture

There is a strong sheep farming tradition in the region, which includes the practice of transhumance, migrating the sheep from lowland winter pastures to mountain summer pastures. This was profiled in a BBC Radio 4 documentary.[2]

Notable residents
Sarakatsani children in Kotel

References
  1. Bulgarian National Statistical Institute – towns in 2009 Archived 13 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. BBC Radio 4, Tuesday 14 October 2008, World on the Move, Great Animal Migrations


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