This year Jane's Walk took place in the neighborhood of "Hisarya." Again, Haskovo is the only Balkan city which participates in the global Jane's Walk initiative.
On 3rd of May, we walked in the foot of the hill where the fortress was built, and then climbed it to discover the foundations of the walls. And meanwhile, we have been discussing.
What we have discussed?
1. How the medieval town was created and how the town relocated its center through the centuries?
2. How the municipality and the local people could use for public benefit this old fortress? How they could develop the potential of this historical heritage on order to strengthen the town's millennial identity and to improve the general quality of life?
3. How can people recreate this part of the contemporary city and transform it into a vital place? Things like restoration, infrastructure, transportation, new parks, etc.
The meeting point - a nice park with many trees.
During our walk we found a small square with well and and plaque. On the plaque it is written
that the local industrialist Stoycho Marchev has done the well in 1926,
according to the deathbed will of his late father.
The square has no name, and I think it would be cool if the municipality name it
after the donor Stoycho Marchev who has done well.
Informal green place for meetings and communication in the neighbourhood.
And now look - just 5 minutes by car from the city center, we are out of the civilization -
the asphalt is over. A dirt road begins. Plenty of meadows around.
A small stream flow nearby.
Wow! 5 minutes distance by car from the city center of Haskovo, and you are in a different world. Biodiversity, connection with nature, fresh air, open space - this is what the foothills of the castle offers to the curious traveler.
In the foothills of the castle there is a small charming forest.
Some of us were younger and they quickly quickly outpaced the others.
And the ruins of the castle are here.
10 centuries ago, this place was the heart of the medieval settlement. Craftsmen and farmers lived around, and some artifacts were discovered by the archaeologists few decades ago. Nowadays, the ruins are is at the end of the town, and expect us to find our way back to them.
View from a bird's eye:
