The town of Smolyan is situated at the heart of Rhodopi Mountain (at about 1000 meters above the sea level), and occupies the larger part of the valley extension of the Cherna River, known as the Smolyan Hollow. It is beautiful mountain town, which combines modern construction with traditional Rhodopean architecture. Smolyan as a town was established in 1960, when the three neighboring villages – Smolyan, Raikovo and Ustovo (now quarters of the town) merged. The denomination of the Rhodopi Mountain as the holy Thracian mountain has come from ancient times, because according to legends it was the birthplace of the mythical singer Orpheus. The investigated mound necropolises near the villages Gela and Stoikite date from that time. The unique location of Smolyan, surrounded by age-old forests, high peaks and lovely lakes; favourable climate conditions; preserved Rhodopean traditions and customs; and Renaissance architecture are premises on which tourism is developing in this region. The town is rich with cultural landmarks; there are many attractions and amusements for everyone.

Quick facts about town of Smolyan
In Bulgarian Alphabets: Смолян
Location: South-Central Bulgaria
Distance to capital city: 167 km from Sofia
Latitude: 41.585 N
Longitude: 24.692 E
Altitude: 700 - 999 m above the sea level
Province: Smolyan District
Municipality: Smolyan Municipality
Area size of town of Smolyan: 134.59 sq km
Population: 31979 inhabitants (to 01/01/2007)
Post code (ZIP): 4700
Phone code: 0301 from Bulgaria; 00359301 from outside.

Landmarks
In Smolyan Quarter: The Revival Period houses - Meramovs', Sarievs', Prissadovs', etc. The overached bridge (Beiska Kupriya) across Cherna River, built in the beginning of 18th century. Chinar Nature Reserve (sycamore-tree) - a 250-years old tree. The Planetarium is the biggest in Bulgaria. The Museum of the History of Mid-Rhodope Mountains, houses more than 150 000 exhibits. The Town Art Gallery accommodates thousands of masterpieces of artists and sculptors.
In Raikovo Quarter: Pangalov's House - valuable architectural monument of culture dating back to 1860, Alibeev Konak - an old residental and agricultural complex in the upper part of the quarter. The Cheshitev's House in the Cheshitska area - housing interesting typical Rhodope houses from the Revival Period in Dolno Raikovo. Memorial and Charnel-House in honour of the inhabitants of Raikovo, who died for freedom. St. Nedelya Church (1836) has a rich collections of icons. Mazolev's Drinking-Fountain bears the inscription, evidencing the first mention of the village.
In Ustovo Quarter: Mednikarska Charshiya (the old coppersmith marketplace), Hadzhiivanov's House, which provided shelter to the headquarters of the Russian troops in the region during the War of Liberation (1877 - 1878). The Sheremetev's, Takov's, Hadzhichonov's Houses are also within this area. The Kelyav's House bears the inscription of sergeant Parhomenko, which informs that some Cossacks from the First Squad of the II Regiment stayed there. St. Nikola Church is remarkable with its plentiful, rich wall paintings and original architecture.
The new, modern centre of the town is a skilful combination of local traditions and existing environment. Its construction was completed in 1983.
The Rhodope Theatre of Drama is successfully functioning in this nice town. The town is also a university centre - it houses the Pedagogical Faculty of Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski".
The biggest Planetarium with an astronomical observatory in Bulgaria is in the town of Smolyan (blvd. Bulgaria 20). If you are interested in the cosmic space it will be a great attraction for you. The Planetarium activities are various. In order to popularize astronomical knowledge to the general audience, different performances are carried out in the Star Hall. Such performances are organized for the foreign visitors, too. It is an educational center for pupils and students. Students’ groups of all ages constantly work with the Planetarium. But undoubtedly its most interesting activity is the research activity. Daily patrol of the sun is made here; photography of sun spots is made; the Planetarium works actively on the visual and photographic recording of all interesting astronomical phenomena observed on the territory of Bulgaria, and archival materials for the astronomical notions of the elderly Rhodopeans are gathered.

Surrounding areas
16 km to the north, up above the town is one of the biggest Bulgarian winter resorts - Pamporovo. 10 km west of the centre of the town is the region of Smolyan Lakes, known as the "emerald eyes of the Rhodope Mountain". They totalled 20 in number, but presently there are only 7 lakes. The largest one of them - Bistroto Ezero, the so-called "clear lake" - is also the deepest and the most beautiful. The whole region forms a natural park of forests, meadows, a chalet, chapels, lanes, open-chair lift to Mt. Snezhank (Pamporovo), picturesque vertical rocks. Bus line No. 4 travels this region.
Smolyan Waterfall - on Kriva (Curved) River, which is the left tributary of Cherna River. The waterfall is 20 meters high and is in the immediate surroundings south-west of the town.
27 km south of Smolyan, in the valley of Arda River is the village of Mogilitsa. It has beautiful Revival Period houses, but the most interesting building is that of the Agoushev's Konak, built in 1843. It was intended for all the year round living (in opposition to the summer Agoushev's Konak in the Chereshovo Area). It has 221 windows, 86 doors and 24 chimneys. It i artistically decorated inside and outside, with wood-carvings on the ceiling, cupboards, railings and shelters. The Konak tower is flower-painted, and the internal and external architectural design, all in pipne, walnut and cherry-wood is splendid piece of art of an unknown Rhodope master. According to the legend, his right hand was cut by Agoush, the owner of the Konak, to make sure that the master will not build another similar masterpiece of art. This is the only preservec medieval feudal castle on the Balkan Peninsula. There are some 20 caves in the vicinity of the village, the most interesting of them being the Ultsata (Uhlovitsa) Cave (3 km east of the village) noted for its miraculous cascade lakes. The cave is easily accessible. There is regular bus line from the town of Smolyan to the village.
10 km north of the town is located the extremely interesting village of Momchilovtsi. Its authentic Rhodope architecture, the local historic-ethnographic museum, the interesting habits and traditions, its fantastic nature, the availability of a number of family type of hotels and other appealing features turn the village into a special site of domestic and international tourism. There is a regular bus line to Smolyan and Chepelare.
At the middle of the road connecting Smolyan and Rudozem (28 km) is located Mt. Srednogorets (1262 m), called the Rhodope Mt. Shipka. in 1934 a 16-metre high magnificent memorial charnel-vault was erected in honou of the soldiers of the 21st Sredna Gora Infantry Regiment commanded by the legendary Coloner Vladimir Serafimov. During the Balkan War, the above-mentioned military unit, jointly with the population from the neighbouring villages led a heroic battle against the numerous regular Turkish troops, which were times more than the Bulgarians. Colonel Serafimov disobeyed the order of the Chief Command Unit to withdraw, declaring: "I will never betray to the enemies the villages, which have welcomed me as a Liberator just one day ago!".
St. Atanas Monastery and te legendary peak Kralyov Kamuk are located to the south in the Rhodope Ridge of Kainadina. Smolyan serves as a starting point for a number of tourist routes in the neighbouring hills and ridges of Western Rhodope Mountains.