http://www.bulgariainside.com/ Articles from category: Pazardzhik from bulgariainside.com http://www.bulgariainside.eu/en/articles/Pazardzhik/384/index.html <img src="http://www.bulgariainside.eu/images/galleries/th_126x95/7d97f7c8560e64978529adf72cdea0b4.jpeg" height="95" width="126" border="0" hspace="5" vspace="0" align="left" > Pazardzhik is one of the biggest towns in southern Bulgaria. It is situated in the western part of the Thracian valley, on the bank of Maritsa River. The distance from Pazardzhik to Sofia is 100 km and to Plovdiv &ndash; 35 km. The area was populated in ancient times. Many mounds and necropolises were found there. The settlement appeared in 15th century and acted as a merchant center on the road from Europe to Asia Minor. In the coming century, the town became an Ottoman administrative unit. Travelers often wrote about it and mentioned it as a hectic place with large markets. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Pazardzhik was one of the main Maritsa harbors. The storehouses near the river held wheat, rice, tobacco and timber from the nearby Rhodope Mountain region. Locals grew vegetables, tobacco and rice and practiced various crafts. Craftsmen and merchants comprised... Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:09:00 +0300