Area: 3,544 sq. km
Population: 218,474
Municipalities – 4: Kotel, Nova Zagora, Sliven, and Tvarditza
Regional center: Sliven

Sliven Region is situated in South-Easten Bulgaria. It borders on Yambol municipality to the south, Bourgas district to the east, Kotel municipality to the north, Tvarditsa municipality to the west and on Nova Zagora municipality to the southwest. This interesting location has been estimated as favorable for the economy development of the municipality and rental management in Bulgaria. It depends on the integration of Sliven municipality with the neighboring districts and municipalities for sharing resources and potentialities for development. The relief is diverse – semi-mountainous and mountainous to the north, and plain – to the south. The agriculture lands predominate in the municipal land structure (53.0% of the whole territory). The forests and woodland cover 42.0% of the municipality and the inhabited area is 41.0% of the total municipal land. The region covers the Tundzha hilly area and the plains of Nova Zagora, Kermen and Sliven. The Elena-Tvarditza Mountains and the Sliven Mountains, which are parts of the Balkan Mountain range, rise to the north. The territory of the region is cut by the Tundzha River (the biggest tributary of the Maritsa), the Luda Kamchia River, the Assenovska River, the Blatnitza River, the Stara Reka (the Old River), etc. Zhrebchevo dam, one of the oldest in the country, is on the Tundzha River, and Assenovets Dam is in the valley of the Assenovska River. Spa springs near Sliven and Nova Zagora are prerequisites for the development of rental management in Bulgaria and spa tourism. There are opportunities for cultural and educational tourism, mountaineering, speleological tourism and paragliding in Sinite Kamuni (Blue Stones) Nature Park and Kutelka Reserve, the rock phenomena (the Ring and the Glove), the caves (Haidushka, Bachvata, Peschenik), the protected nature areas of Aglikina Poliana, Haidut Dere, Zhelezni Vrata and Bozhura. The Sofia–Burgas railroad crosses the territory of the region. Several passes in the Balkan Mountains (Tvarditza, Kotlen and Vratnik) connect the region with Northern Bulgaria. Textile Industry, agriculture and rental management in Bulgaria are well developed here. Traditions of weaving date back to 1836, when Dobri Zheliazkov – ‘the Factory Man’ – established in Sliven the first weaving factory in the Ottoman Empire, thus starting the industrial development in Bulgaria. Sliven was one of the biggest industrial centers in Bulgaria, which played very important role during the Bulgarian National Revival, a town with long-lived traditions in the textile industry, machine building, glass making, the technical аnd food industry. Traders from Turkey, Poland and Hungary would come to the annual fair in Sliven. It is a comparatively large town with 110,000 inhabitants (the 8th largest in Bulgaria).
The lands of Sliven Region have been populated since ancient times. Thracians have left cultural landmarks in almost all of the settlements in the region. The mountain passes, used yet by Romans, have been safeguarded by fortifications, the remnants of which are preserved near Sliven and Tvarditza, the villages of Kipilovo, Gavrailovo, Topolchane, Sotirya. During the Ottoman rule the region was one of the most rebellious. In the mountains near Sliven, Nova Zagora, Tvarditza and elsewhere hundreds of rebel groups used to operate, which are commemorated today by monuments dedicated to heroic chieftains and rebels in many of the towns and villages. During the National Revival period crafts and trade boosted up and the population became better off. Big houses have been built in many settlements in the mountainous part of the region. Separate ensembles and even whole settlements of revivalist architectural style have been preserved – in Zheravna, Kotel, Katunishte, Medven, and Sliven. Folk and religious feasts, preserved in their authenticity in many parts of the region, are of interest to tourists. Kotel is one of the main centers of the carpet industry on Bulgarian lands.

History

The area of the town has been inhabited for many centuries. History takes us back to the time of Thracians and then layer after layer we discover the presence of Romans, Slavs, ancient Greeks and we feel the spirit of the First and the Second Bulgarian kingdoms.
Our ancestors have established the town on a crossroads and this is one of the biggest advantages of Sliven, which has played a major role in the past and the present development of the town. The information sources about the existing of town are comparatively rich. The imagination provoking remnants of the Touida fortress in Hisarlaka site testify to the fact that this area has been inhabited since the Tracian times (3rd - 2nd millennia BC). The name of the fortress was deciphered from a stone. The town has changed several names - Istilifounos, Islimie and others. The name 'Sliven' was mentioned for first time in 1153, by Al Idrisi - an Arabic traveller. He described Sliven as a beautiful and large city. The name means 'fusion' - the fusion of the three rivers which run through the town, and the fusion of the three winds which blow out of the three passes of the Balkan - Assenovskia, Bulgarka and Choukata Pass. Unalterable mark of the ancient history of the town is also its spirituality. A cult centre since high antiquity, the town has added a new sense to these functions during the early Christianity and the Middle Ages. Sliven was amongst the most significant spiritual centers in Bulgaria in the Renaissance. During the Revival period Sliven became famous as “the town of the hundred chieftains” – Inge, Zlati, Kara Subi, Radoi, Hristo, Konda, Hadji Dimitar, Panaiot Hitov, Taniu Voevoda and many other. Georgi Ikonomov, one of the apostles of the April Rebellion, was born in the town, so were Sava Dobroplodni, Dr. Ivan Seliminski and Dobri Chintulov. The municipality capital - Sliven is the birth place of the first Bulgarian poet Dobri Chintulov, the first Bulgarian artist who graduated academic education, Dimitar Dobrovich, of many notable Bulgarians whose names are related to the development of Bulgarian and the European science and culture, of the enlightenment activities and the economic development. In 1827, in Sliven was founded a school and in 1860 was established the community center “Zora”. Today’s contribution of Sliven to the cultural treasury of Bulgaria is remarkable. Many names of contemporary eminent artists and scientists are related to our town. The generosity of nature toward Sliven is incontestable. The rocky massif "Sinite Kamani" (The blue stones), the fresh air, the abundance of water, the temperate climate, the mineral springs, the fruitful valley of the Tundja river and the plain of Sliven are only a small part of her gifts. Contemporary Sliven combines both the functions of an economic and spiritual centre with these of a regional and municipal administrative centre.

Natural resourses

Relief
Sliven lies at the feet of the southern flanks of Slivenska Planina Mountain (1181m) which borders the east Balkan. There are two regions according to the relief: the hilly and mountainous northern region, and the south plain region south and southeast it is opened to the Sliven field which monotony is broken by the isolated bulk-like heights (up to 300 m sea elevation). North of Sliven and close to the living quarters of the town the light imparts a bluefish tinge to the porphyry massif known as the Sinite Kamani or Blue Rocks. The park of the same name includes 6684.3 ha of the Balkan. The sea elevation of Sliven varies from 180 to 300m. The various attractions of Sliven Balkan are favorable for the development of mountain, educational, recreational and cave tourism and rental management in Bulgaria. Fertile farming lands are situated south and southeast of Sliven. Hamam Bair height which has been tuned into a town park is located in the western part of the town. The terrain west of it is hilly and covered by perennial plantations.

Minerals
The territory of Sliven municipality is deficient in ore minerals. For Sliven and for the whole country the prospects for ore mining development are limited because of the low quality ores but for the non-metallic, decorative and facing materials are good in case investments as well investments in rental management in Bulgaria. They would be of interest for any foreign investor. There is a deposit of quartzite for ganister but because of the decreased demand the output is rather low. There is a technical possibility for brick production from the waste in case of regular production process. There are deposits of black coal from the Cretaceous Period. The reserves are put at million ton but the coal mining is hampered by the upheaval beds.

Waters
The territory of Sliven municipality is not rich in water resources though the numerous rivers, underground waters, and lakes. The water resources are influenced by the summer drought and pollution of the river and lake waters. Sliven is situated on a typical dump cone of relatively even terrain (slopes between 1.5 and 5.0%). The Assenovska River and its three tributaries run through the town. The main source for the area is the Toundja river (7880km2 basin) - the biggest tributary of the Maritsa river. It is used for irrigation mainly and for this purpose there has been built up many pump stations and water intakes - maximal water quantity from 50 to 100 l/sec. The Zhrebchevo dam lake (400 mln m3) has been built on the Tundja and it is used for irrigation. The Assenovets dam lake which is the main source for Sliven has been built on the Assenovska River. There are mineral springs in the region of Sliven municipality. There are good facilities for rental management in Bulgaria at Slivenski Mineralni Bani - thermal baths, rest houses and hotels, hydrotherapy establishment and swimming pool.

Flora and Fauna
The vegetative and animal world in the municipal area is rich and varied. There can be seen over 20 deciduous trees. The white fir, black fir and spruce predominate of the coniferous trees. Over 30 rare vegetative species which are listed in the Bulgarian Red Book of endangered species grow in the territory of State Forestry - Sliven. A large part of them are used as medicinal plants. The animal world of the area is very interesting. There can be seen from 123 to 160 species of vertebrates, 20 of them are representatives of the birds world and are listed in the Bulgarian Red Book of endangered species - black stork, hen hawk, little eagle, imperial eagle, golden eagle, and others. The timber stock grows slowly but it is concentrated in the newly afforested areas. The clear-felling system has been forbidden for ten years in Bulgaria and in Sliven region, respectively. The felling of small timber prevails. All these result in smaller areas for deforestation. The Forestry Administration counts on the natural renewing of the trees. The timber has many applications - building, cellulose manufacture, heat wood, etc. During the last decade the number of the wood-processing workshops increased. During the last two years many companies buy up medicinal plants and mushrooms. They are sold at the domestic as well as at the foreign market. This is a very profitable business because of the favourable climate and relief the region is abundant in medicinal plants and mushrooms during spring, summer and autumn seasons. This is an alternative form of occupation for some people inhabiting the mountainous and hilly regions of Sliven municipality. Koutelka nature preserve covers an area of 708.9 ha in Sini Kamani national park and is of international importance for the preservation of several rare species of birds (bearded vulture, Egyptian vulture, falcon, peregrine falcon, etc.) as well as the eco system of the forests typical of the area. The preservations located in the territory of Sini Kamani Natioanal Park and in Karandila locality attract many visitors all year round.

\Population

The diverse ethnic composition of Sliven municipality population is one of its characteristic features. Bulgarians, Turks and Romanies live here. Compact groups of ethnic Turks live in the villages of Novachevo, Gradsko, Vaglen, etc. There are quarters in Sliven and in almost every villages inhabited only by Romany population. Average density of the population in Sliven municipality in 1999 was 104.13 persons/km² and it is higher than the average density of the population in Bulgaria – 74.2persons/km².
Sex: men - 71 484; women - 73 823 
Age: under 7 - 10 521 persons; from 7 to 14 - 15 180 persons; from 15 to 17 - 6642 persons.
Active population: women, from 18 to 54 - 39 220 persons; men, from 18 to 59 - 43 552 persons.
Pensioners: women, over 55 - 18 752 persons; men, over 60 - 11 439 persons.
The active population trended to decrease in 1999: 27 541 employees in 1999 and 31 286 - in 1998. The employees of the industrial enterprises number 11 581persons which is 27.54 % compared to the other branches. The people working in rental management, agriculture and timber industry number 1541 or 5.59 % of the total number of employed people. The relative share of the employment in the private sector is 55% of the total employment. The employment of the public sector is 44%.

Climate

Sliven Municipality is situated on the sub-Balkan plain in the zone of transitional-continental climate. In the region of Sliven, winter is mild and summer is relatively warm. Autumn is longer than spring. The local wind “Bora” is typical for the region. Average annual air temperature - 14.4°С witch is a good factor for development of tourism and rental management in Bulgaria. Winter average monthly temperature is 2.2°С. The winters are mild, the summers are relatively dry - 25.2°С. Autumns are longer than springs. Sliven field is warmer and drier compared to the sub-Balkan fields located to the west of Sliven. The average annual relative humidity is 66%. In winter the humidity is over 65%; in summer - even under 55% (in August). The average annual precipitation is 596 mm having a maximum of 165 mm in summer and a second maximum in spring. The minimum of 134 mm is in the winter. The average number of the foggy days per year is about 46 - during the cold half-year (October - March) they are 29. The windy days are about 46% of the year, 39,7% - north-western winds, 12,3% - western winds, 13,1% - northern winds and 3,3% - southern winds.

Agriculture

Sliven municipality features a great variety of soil types. The gray soils of forest origin and maroon-forest soils cover the northern parts of the municipality which include mountainous and hilly region. The maroon-forest soils prevail in the hilly regions of the municipality. They are favorable for vineyards and orchards. The fruit-growing and vine-growing play an important role in the economic development of Sliven region. The peach orchards are traditional and basic fruit culture of the region.
The arable land is 56 999 ha, including 3 382 ha municipal land. The arable land per capito is 0,57 ha.  The agricultural territory of Sliven municipality covers 70 973 ha - 52% of the total municipal territory (136 662 ha). According to their type the agricultural territory is grouped in 6 groups: Fields 4 381 ha 34% of the total territory; Perennial 7 370 ha- 5.4% of the total territory; Nursery-gardens 78 ha- 0.05% of the total territory; Commons and pastures 12 457 ha-9.1% of the total territory; Field roads 2 408 ha-1.4% of the total territory

Infrastructure

Sliven district consists of 2 towns and 47 villages. The town of Sliven is the economic, administrative and transport centre of the district. The villages in the flat region of the district are more than those located in the mountainous one. The process of urbanisation of the municipality and of the district is being analysed and estimated in two aspects. The first aspect is connected with the tendency towards an increased population of the city due to: natural population growth in the towns and migration of the rural population. The second aspect of the urbanisation is connected with its regarding as a process of restructuring of the existing towns and villages on the basis of industry and infrastructure, culture and public utilities development, rental management in Bulgaria and city life style even in the innermost recesses of the municipality.
The further development of management rental in Bulgaria and the urbanisation process is related to the higher life standard in the towns and villages by:
• Settling the town planning issues of the town of Sliven and some of the villages: Gavrailovo, Kovachite, Sotirya, Stroupets, Binkos, Kaloyanovo, Topolchane, Gorno Alexandrovo etc.
• Improving and development of the engineer and technical infrastructure as an important part of urbanisation for better life conditions by reconstruction of the water supply system in the town of Sliven and some of the villages: Sotirya, Gavrailovo, Vaglen, Kovachite, Stara Reka, Kroushare, Topolchane, Seliminovo, Kamen etc. 
• draining of the  towns of Sliven and Kermen and some of the villages: Zhelyu Voivoda, Kroushare, Topolchane, Samouilovo, etc.
• the collecting and transporting of the waste material and the condition of the dunghills 
• the condition of the grave yards by the towns of Sliven and Kermen and the villages Zlati Voivoda, Seliminovo, Chokoba, Topolchane, Gavrailovo, Gergevets and others.
• new positions in the industrial, agricultural, tourists and cultural centres for decreasing the rate of unemployment.
• Improving the local self-government in close connection with the development of the rental management and in Bulgaria and local and regional economy.

MOTOR AND RAILWAY TRANSPORT
The transport network of Sliven municipality is completely constructed. The total length only of the 4th class roads is 320km. The length of the 1st class roads is 47 km, 2nd class – 84 km, 3rd class – 81 km, road connections (cloverleaf) – 8 km. The road network density in the municipal territory is above the average one for the country which is of paramount importance for regional economic and rental management in Bulgaria development. The traffic arteries running through the municipal area are in good condition while the 4th class roads need extensive repair, requiring investment. The motor and railway transport network cover the whole area of Sliven municipality. The specific character of the transport activity is determined by the location of the municipality - it is neighboring on Bourgas district and the international highway E-773, connecting Sofia with Bourgas runs by Sliven. The east part of the Balkan range, where the town is situated is cut by passages which are very important for developing of rental managements in Bulgaria and communications between northern and southern Bulgaria.

Two railways run through the territory of Sliven municipality: Sofia-Karlovo-Sliven-Bourgas; Sofia-Plovdiv-Stara Zagora-Kermen-Yambol-Bourgas. The railways are directed west - east and are of great importance for the industry of the region as well as for the tourism and rental management in Bulgaria. The existing railway system completely satisfies the needs of the region.
 
AIR TRANSPORT
Barshen airport located near Sliven has all the necessary facilities for passengers and cargo services as well as for agriculture activities. The town of Sliven will be a very strategic point in the map of Bulgaria if this airport operates. The profit will be for everyone - manufacturers, rental management in Bulgaria, citizens, visitors, etc. but the construction and repair of the airport need a significant amount of investment.

WATER SUPLY
The drinking water for the town comes from an open-air water source the Assenovets dam lake, providing the enough water. А water purifying station for the biological treatment of the water and building up new catchments or outer water-mains soon will be constructed.

COMMUNICATIONS
The long and short distance communication of Sliven municipality is carried out through 21 analogue automated telephone exchanges and the long distance cables of the corresponding town or village. The telephone subscribers in the territory of the municipality are 50 000. The process of digitalisation of the short distance communication has already finished. The substitution of analogue telephone exchanges by digital ones will be over by the year 2010. This substitution will result in higher quality of the municipality communications and better communications in the sector of rental management in Bulgaria.

ELECTRICITY
All the towns and villages in Sliven municipality are supplied with electricity Maritsa Iztok Thermal Power Plant through Yambol-1 and Tvarditsa substations supply the region with electricity. Omourtag substation connects the region with the power supply system of Northern Bulgaria. There are 245 km transmission lines 120 kV, 6 power substations, 482 transformer stations, 9398 km transmission lines for average voltage, 177 km cable lines for low voltage and street lighting. Total number of watt-hour meters - 71 400. The streets are lighted by 9528 fixtures, 6580 of them are located in Sliven. The power supply system for average and low voltage is maintained by Elektrorazpredelenie - Stara Zagora EAD, branch Sliven. The power substations and transmission lines 110 kV are maintained by NEC EAD - Sofia, subregion Sliven.

GAS SUPLY
The major gas-main runs through the territory of Sliven municipality and two gas-mains total length 12 km supply 15 industrial establishments in Sliven. The so constructed gas distributing network allows gas-supplying of the living quarters which are not included in the central heating system. The increased number of gas-supplied households and companies will lead to decreasing of the electricity consumption and hence - optimization of the energy consumption, environment protection and rental management in Bulgaria.

Economy

As per information from the UNDP report on human development of the population for 2003, GDP per capita in Sliven Municipality is 3074,40 lv. As per information from National Statistics Institute the active individuals in Corporate register for 2003 are 18 926 /while for 2002 they were 16 938/, which represents 73, 5% of the ones in the region. As per type of property – from 17 597 active companies in the Municipality, 17 366 are private, 147 are Municipal and 84 are state owned. The small and middle-sized companies as per the people employed are 4098, 91, 7% of which are with up to 10 employees. The gross product of the Municipality for 2003 is 490 230 thousand levs, which represents 84,43% of the gross product of the region. The growth in comparison to 2002 is with 71 972 lv, or with 17, 2%. A growth rate of net sales income of 16,77% is present in comparison to 2002. For 2003 a profit amounting at 26 066 thousand lv realized by 2 592 companies /2 668 for 2002/ or 81% of the profit realized in the region. A dominant role in the economic structure of the Municipality plays the processing industry and the future development of rental management in Bulgaria. In 2003 60,2% of the gross product of the Municipality and 50,8% of the gross product in the region are concentrated in it. 65% of the fixed assets of the Municipality are related to it. The average annual number of employed people in 2003 is 28 683, 37,5% - in the public sector and 63,5% - in the private sector. The highest rate of employment is in the trade and reconstruction sector – 23%, textile and clothes industry – 16,5%, food stuff industry – 12,8%, construction – 8,2%, hotels and restaurants – 3,5%.
The programme of municipal property privatization was made in compliance with Bulgarian legislation and with the general tendency of the privatization policy of the municipal authorities in Bulgaria (Promulgated in State Gazette issue 111/21.12.1999). In 1999 the main work of fulfillment of the strategy for restructuring of the municipal property accepted by Municipal Council Decision. The incoming from privatization of shares and independent units of the capital of municipal companies amounts to 1653823 BGL which is by 53 823 BGL more than the incoming planned in the Privatization Programme for 1999.
Main prospects for development: making the existing companies more effective; starting new compatible manufacturing processes; encouraging the establishing of new companies and rental management in Bulgaria; raising funds from local, national, and foreign donators; partnership with companies with the same or similar activity for experience exchange and technology transfer; providing the mountain region villages with financial and technical support for  agricultural development.

TEXTILE COMPANIES:
• Slitex AD, Sliven – woollen fabrics, blankets, curtains, knitted goods. Privatised by Italian company.
• Decotex-Carpet AD, Sliven - carpets, moquette, upholstery, etc. Privatised.
• Tony AD, Sliven – socks, stockings. Privatised. 
• Kolhida AD, Sliven – wool buying up and processing. Privatised 94%. 
• Inturg AD, Sliven – knitted goods. Works for export only.

MACHINE-BUILDING:
• ZMM - Sliven, AD, Sliven – lathe machines. Privatised. Works for export only.
• ZMM AD, Sliven – packaging machines. Privatised. 
• ZMM -Pobeda AD, Sliven – CNC machines and units for looms. State owned.

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY:
• Dinamo AD, Sliven – dynamos, starters, electric motors. Privatised. 
• Svetlina AD, Sliven – lighting fixtures. Privatised.
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY:
• Kvartz AD, Sliven – lead crystal glassware, lighting fixtures, glassware. Privatised.
• Dinas AD, Sliven – silica bricks. Privatised. 
• Keramik AD, Sliven – bricks.  Privatised.

FOOD AND WINE INDUSTRIES:
• Vini AD, Sliven – wines and liquors of high quality. Privatised.
• Vemas AD, village of Gavrailovo, Sl;iven municipality - canning factory. 
• Fructo AD, Sliven - canning factory.  
• Demetra AD, Sliven – bread and bread products. Privatised.
• Rodopa AD, Sliven – packinghouse. 
• Serdika AD, Sliven – milk and milk products. Privatised.
• Melinvest Holding AD, Sliven – private structure. Holds 2/3 of the Bulgarian grain production, bread production, shops in the country, not only in Sliven region.
• Eko Assorti, village of Mechkarevo, Stara Zagora municipality. Grain production, bread products, cattle breeding, packinghouse, milk and milk products, etc.
• Domain Boyar AD, Sliven – wines of high quality.

Tourism

The first impression is that the industrial companies and rural areas form the character of Sliven municipality but it is not quite true. There are enough preconditions for tourist activity and development of rental management in Bulgaria that can be reactivated and developed.
Beds available in Sliven municipality (the majorities are located in the town of Sliven): Hotels: 4 hotels - 482 beds; Holiday houses, huts, villas - 767 beds; Bungalows - 376 beds; Hydrotherapy establishments - 274 beds; Total for Sliven municipality - 1899 beds. Having in mind the present state of the recreation facilities available one can draw the following conclusions:
• There are enough facilities for the development of the home and international tourism; mountain has priority followed by hydrotherapy, auto, village and hunting tourism. 
• The development of the tourism is characterized by concentration and partiality of the accommodation and service standard and organization of the trips. 
On order of Sliven municipality a project called Sliven Tourist Conception was worked out. The major targets of the project are to turn the tourist industry into a significant economic factor for Sliven municipality by purposeful use of the nature and anthropogenic reality as well as by expansion of the existing recreation facilities - specified in collaboration with TOURISTCONSULT - a Bulgarian-Swiss company.

Environment

AIR
Sliven municipality features favourable ecological environment as there is not a concentration of chemical and metallurgy works to pollute systematically and permanently the environment.
The analyzing of the measured air parameters shows that the concentration of ozone, carbon oxide, nitric oxide, nitric dioxide, hydrogen sulphide,  ammonia and sulphur dioxide is admissible. The inadmissible quantity of lead aerosols in the air made the trolley transport more popular than the bus transport.

WATER
Three rivers run through the town of Sliven – Selishka, Novoselska and Assenovska. Their water is comparatively clean; the public waste being the only problem.
The Dyuleva River, which width varies from 1,8 m to 14 m separates the east parts of the town from its villa area. The banks have been weathered, the terrain around the river has been used as a dung-hill and this makes the river area very dangerous from ecological, sanitation and aesthetic point of view.
The Tundja River is one of the most important rivers in Bulgaria and it is of great significance for the development of agriculture, fishery and tourism in Sliven region.
On 1 July, 2000 the European committee and the East Europe partners (Alba municipality – Rumania and Sliven municipality – Bulgaria) concluded an agreement with main targets environmental preservation, in particular the banks and waters of the rivers running through then territory of the and appealing to the adults and children to protect the water resources. Four work groups from France, Luxembourg, Romania and Bulgaria have been engaged in this project. Sliven municipality is carrying out its working programme together with its associate partners: National Association of Bulgarian Municipalities, Bulgarian Ecologists Association, Hunters and Fishermen Association, Ecology club, etc. The first Bulgarian Dom na Vodata (Home of the Water) was built up in Sliven as a local recourse centre. It was opened on 22 March, 2001. The purpose of this Home of the Water is to centralise the information, to provoke discussions and to make decisions concerning river bank fortification, fishery, river pollution, etc. This Home of the Water will keep in touch with the Homes of the Water built up in the other three partners (France, Luxembourg, and Romania), will exchange information and experience with them, and will be a tourist-information centre as well. The Home of the Water will serve as a centre for ecology education of the children. The target of the Home of the Water is the organizing of actions for cleaning and keeping of the Tundja river banks with the participation of children and adults. The Home of the Water made in accordance with Aqua-Fill project combines educational, information, research and co-coordinating activities connected with water resource preservations and the natural wealth located in Sliven municipality territory. In March, 2000 a University team from Perpignan – France made “water” expertise and gave some recommendations concerning the control. On the basis of the experts’ evaluation water pollution control equipment has been provided for the better monitoring of the Tundja river pollution that will be submitted to the ViK (Sewerage and Plumbing) Company – Sliven.
Sliven municipality is not obliged to collect and transport hazardous waste. This is obligation of the companies that produce hazardous matter. Some of them are Svetlina AD, Decotex Carpet AD, ZMM-Sliven AD, Dynamo, ZMM Pobeda,Vini AD, Kvartz OOD, Domain Boyar, hospitals, etc. They are obliged to render the waste safe.

Health care

The employees of Sliven municipality healthcare system take care of 251 000 persons.
Rating of the Health Establishments: District level health establishments - Sliven hospital and First Aid Centre; Municipality level health establishments - two DCC centres, DCC at military hospital, VD and dermatology dispensary, Hygiene and Epidemic Inspection, Centre for prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug addicts, dispensary for prevention of pulmonary diseases; rural public health stations – 39.
The thermal baths or Slivenski Mineralni Bani are located 9 km southwest of Sliven. People from the neighboring districts come here for the mineral water helps the cure of disturbances of the stomach, liver, locomotory system and peripheral system.

Sports

There are 24 sports clubs for 15 kinds of sports in Sliven municipality. the most popular sports are: field and track athletics, weightlifting, judo, wrestling, basketball, acrobatics. Most of the sportsmen of these clubs are national competitors and train for European and world competitions and Olympic Games. The most popular sports among the children are karate, chess, tennis, volleyball. There is a National Secondary Sports School training about 260 students in 6 sports. The school has a hostel, recreation centre, and canteen. The school has contributed very much to the national sports fame in field and track athletics, weightlifting, judo, wrestling. There are children and adolescent football clubs established in the municipality.

Culture and places of interest

The symbols of Sliven are impressive and legendary – The Blue Stones, the old elm-tree, the monument of Hadji Dimitar, the monument of the 7th cavalry regiment – “The eaglet”, the town clock, Dobri Zheliaskov`s factory, Chintulov's songs… symbols uniting the spirit of enterprise, the rebellious flame, the impulse of the enlightenment. Even for those visitors of the town who are not acquainted with Bulgarian history, these symbols make sense because they are not forgotten pieces of history but represent a part of the contemporary atmosphere of the town. In Sliven history and tradition meet modern dynamics and diversity – a combination, hiding the unique charm of the town below in the foot of the Blue Stones. There are 475 cultural monuments located in the territory of Sliven municipality; architectural are 385 of them and the rest 90 are historical. Twenty of them are of national importance.

HISTORY MUSEUM
Over 80 000 exhibition pieces, grouped in different sections - archaeology, pre-history, antiquity, mediaeval ethnography, revival, and modern history are kept here.

DOBRI ZHELIASKOV`S FACTORY
Museum of the textile industry (The textile industry museum is the first specialised museum of industrial type in Bulgaria. It was built in 1984 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the textile industry in Bulgaria. The museum has a total exhibition area of 500sq.m with three major sections: manual textile production, textile crafts, mechanical production .There are located 18 demonstration levels. The museum has galleries for temporary exhibits. The museum has been a member of the European textile network with registered office Hanover - Germany since 1988)

DIMITER DOBROVICH PICTURE GALLERY
The foundation of the picture gallery started in 1905 with the art collection bestowed on Zora Reading Club and in 1965 it was established as an independent cultural institute. There are now 6000 works available at the gallery grouped as follows: Old Bulgarian Art; Modern Bulgarian Art; Foreign Art

PICTURE GALLERY
The picture gallery features three permanent expositions: Old Bulgarian art - icons and engravings from 17th - 19th centuries; Moder Bulgarian Art - paintings, graphics, sculptures; Stariyat (The old) Sliven  – Mirkovich house

SLIVEN FOLK SONG AND DANCE ENSEMBLE
Sliven Folk Songs and Dance Ensemble studies, arranges  and propagates the Bulgarian folk art works home and abroad. Its successful tours and festival participation in Hungary, Poland, Tunis, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Yugoslavia, France, Germany, Spain, and other countries got not only excellent reviews but several prestigious awards as well. The ensemble is Bulgarian festivals laureate and first prize winner of the folklore festivals in Tunis and Germany. Its performance has been recorded by Bulgarian national radio and television. The performances of Sliven FSDE include choir, orchestra, symphony and folk music and turn into a panorama of the Bulgarian national art.

SREFAN KIROV DRAMA THEATRE
Prominent Bulgarian and foreign directors, stage managers, actors work at this theatre. It has one of the best base for theatrical activity in Bulgaria. Recently S. Kirov Drama Theatre has been host of Echo Fest, Summer Theatre University, Balkan Festival. Its repertoire includes classical and modern palys by Bulgarian and foreign playwrights. The performances of S. Kirov Drama Theatre are welcome in all Bulgarian town and abroad. The theatre staff is winner of many awards of the Bulgarian Actors' Association.

PUBLIC PUPPET THEATRE
The only professional puppet theatre giving puppet shows by Bulgarian and foreign authors in Sliven region. Its repertoire includes performances for teenagers and adults. Because of its small team,  requisite and stage the puppet theatre gives performance not only on its stage but at kindergartens, in other towns and villages, at international puppet theatre festivals.

SLIVEN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Sliven Symphony Orchestra is musical team of experienced professionals. It was established in 1933 in Zora reading club. Its repertoire includes eternal pieces of baroque and classical music as well as music of all styles and periods composed by Bulgarian and foreign composers. The orchestra has participated successfully in Bulagrian and international competitions.

DIMITER DOBROVICH HIGH SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS
It is one of the best high schools of fine arts in Bulgaria. The students are offered three specialities - advertising graphics, artistic crafts - textile and icon-painting. Every year the students from this school organise a general art exhibition in several Bulgarian towns - Sofia, Plovdiv, Bourgas, Dobrich, Shoumen, Varna and abroad - Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Japan.

ARTISTS' SOCIETY
Over 50 artists from Sliven region are members of this society, 20 of them are members of Bulgarian Artists' Union.

LIBRARY
The library is a cultural and information centre. The library book-stock consists of 250 000 library units, 65% of them - scientific. The library staff has kept good relationships with libraries from towns in Germany, Ukrane, USA and Canada as well as with British Council, Goethe Institute, French Culture and Information Centre. Thanks to the British Council in 1995 the English Language Teaching Centre was open. Internet Centre was open in 1999. The library is orientated towards providing the readers with modern information services and language teaching facilities.

ZORA MODEL READING CLUB
The library club was established in 1860. Zora library - over 120 000 units, a valuable collection of original early printed books and newspapers from the period before 1876, a computer network and internet centre. There is an arts children school where over 400 children are being trained in playing the piano,  viola, guitar, accordion as well as in ballet dancing, foreign languages, painting, etc. There are several halls for rehearsals and auditorium - 300 seats available.

KARANDILA
Further up the hill, one can climb to the Karandila Chalet, where he/she can take advantage of a ski run with two taglines, a football field, a lake with boats and rocks suitable for professional climbing.
The ground of Karandilla is sited in the northeastern part of Sliven, among century-old forests. Here you will discover the “Sinnite kammani”(Blue Stones) national park witch has extremely interesting rock formations, such as Halkata (literally meaning the Ring).  The national park preserves the local biosphere and is suitable for pedestrian-based and mountain tourism. On its territory there are many tourist walks, which will take you to awesome peaks, unique natural phenomena such as the rock formations Halkata, Enyova Bulka, Kuklite and many others, crystal-clear springs or the beautiful waterfalls Sinni vir, Futula and others. At the mountain resort Karandilla near the town of Sliven you will enjoy complete relaxation amidst the gorgeous scenery of the Stara Planina Mountain.

THE BLUE STONES
The reservation Kutelka, which is part of the Sinnite Kammani national park, is of international importance, protecting a number of Red Book birds and animals (Gypaetus barbatus,Neophron percnopterus, Falco cherrug, Falco peregrinus and others ). The reservations in the national park Sinnite Kammani offer also excellent opportunities for sport, tourism and recreation. There are ski tracks with a ski lift, a football field and a lake. The Karandilla national park is point of departure along numerous well-marked mountain walks. The mineral bath of the town is situated some 12 km away to the southwest of Sliven, at the village of Zlaty Voivoda, near the road to the town of Nova Zagora. Here the visitors are seeking relief from pains of bones and joints, nervous system, stomach and the liver diseases.

THE TOWN CLOCK
The town clock is one of the significant symbols of Sliven with a particularly attractive presence. The construction of the new Municipal building, above which soars the clock tower, was finished in 1936. Three years later in the clock tower are placed the mechanical heart and the round face of the town clock. The old one, made in 1808 by the skilful hands of Atanas “the clockmaker” and thanks to the significant contribution of the residents of Sliven, now remains only the bell has left. Today the town clock measures the hours and reminds us of the continuity and the irreversibility of the passing time. More than sixty years the town clock measures the personal and the social time of the residents of Sliven.

THE MONUMENT OF 7TH CAVALRY REGIMENT – “THE EAGLET”
One of the symbols of Sliven is the monument dedicated to the glorious 7th cavalry regiment of Sliven which participated in the Balkan war, the Inter-ally war and World War One. Rarely is a diminutive used for a monument's name. However, the “Eaglet” is commonly known in Sliven. The authors of the monument are the sculptor Nikola Dimitrov and the photographer Panaiot Tziparanov. Originally erected as a donation from the residents of Sliven, in 1996 the monument was renovated thanks to significant donations from the National donations fund – “13 centuries Bulgaria” and the Municipal council of Sliven, the command of Third army and from club “Otvoreno obshtestvo” – Sliven.

"ST. SOPHIA" TEMPLE
 It’s situated in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Sliven, called "Novo selo" and is a cultural monument of national importance. The church has gone through two discernible building periods until it has reached its present architectural form. It was built in 1836 upon the ruins of an older church with the help of patriotic people from Sliven who lived in Russia, Besarabia and Romania. The interior of the church has an interesting decoration. There are revival art decoration elements, specially selected for the interior.

"ST. DIMITAR" CATHEDRAL TEMPLE
 The central temple in Sliven was built in 1832. It represents a three – ship pseudo – basilica. It has impressive sizes – 29 m long and 15 m wide. It’s a metre dug underground. The structure and decoration of the ceilings and colonies of the church are a masterpiece of Bratsigovo building school craftsmen. The iconostasis, as part of the interior, has the biggest art influence. It’s a high – relief carving that has basically floral elements. All Slavonic metropolitans were buried in the courtyard on the east side of the church.

THE OLD ELM – TREE
Its name is a field elm tree. It’s a natural over 1000 – year phenomenon. It’s a relic from the Great Bulgarian forest (Magna silva Bulgarica) that spread from the Rodopi Mountain to the Black sea. There are about 20 elm trees like this one left in Samuilovo village, situated 7 km far from Sliven. All of them are declared for protected trees and people take care of their protection. The old elm tree is connected to the history of Sliven, especially to the history of the Turkish yoke period.

Surrounding areas

KOTEL
The town of Kottel is located in a small picturesque glen in the eastern part of the Stara Planina Mountain, in the Sliven region. It is 328 km east of Sofia, 49 km north-east of Sliven, 38 km and 62 km south of Omourtag and Targovishte, respectively. Kottel is an old town from the Revival Period striking with its majestic scenery, fresh air and clear mountain brooks. The town is of paramount importance for the national revival and that is why it is called “stronghold of Bulgarian national spirit” and “cradle of Bulgarian Revival”. It is birthplace of a lot of prominent figures from that period, of whom we are now proud. The first gymnasium for folk singing and instrumental folk music “Philip Koutev” found its home here, still astonishing everyone with the folk songs. Kottel boasts very interesting samples of late Bulgarian Revival architecture and at that time was an important centre of the art of carpet-weaving. There are over 30 explored caves in its surroundings, offering a real challenge to the lovers of strong emotions. The rich history, unique architecture and the lovely mountain scenery attract in this pretty mountain town a growing number of local and foreign tourists, who, enchanted by the sights and the history of the town, are willing to purchase some property, just to be able to return whenever they want in this tiny piece of paradise on earth

ZERAVNA
The village of Zheravna resembles a wreath spread over the southern slopes of two small hills in the Eastern Balkan Range and is another place of interest that the local people and tourists like to visit a lot. Brooks run softly down its steep lanes. The village houses with their broad eaves peak out behind high stone walls - the majority are well preserved. All are modeled on the”wooden type" house prevalent in the entire region of the Eastern Balkan Range. The simple reason for that is that each single house in the village is a monument of traditional Bulgarian architecture from the period of national revival. Other villages like Medven, Neykovo, Gradetz and Katunishte are also famous for their architecture, and many buildings in them are proclaimed national cultural and architectural monuments from the same period. They are entirely surrounded by verandahs, leading to the living quarters, with the storerooms and hiding places behind them. Rosettes, star-shaped figures, stylized plant and animal motifs decorate the cupboards, shelves, walls, ceilings and doors. Winding staircases, chapels, colourful rugs and cushions lend a still greater fascination to the Zheravna house. A characteristic feature is that all Zheravna houses, without exception, face south - with extensive facades in the yard's northern part, far from the street when it passes south of them, and houses turned the otherway, but close to the street if it runs to the north. The older houses are single storeyed and made entirely out of wood. Later houses, with two stories, have their ground floor built of stone. The facades have clearly horizontal lines, emphasized by the forward brought second floor and the strongly jutting out eaves.