Tvarditsa is a town in Central Bulgaria, Sliven Region. The town is administrative center of the Municipality of Tvarditsa.

There are two other villages with the same name in Bulgaria - the village of Tvarditsa, Dobrich Region and the village of Tvarditsa, Burgas Region.

General information

The town of Tvarditsa is located in the most western part of Sliven Region, 396 m altitude. The population of the town is 6137 inhabitants. The distance to the capital Sofia is 211 km.
The location of Tvarditsa and the Sub-Balkan transport corridor passing through - railway and main road Sofia-Karlovo-Burgas favour the development of the transport and economic relations with the neighbouring municipalities and the other regions in Bulgaria.

Climate

The predominant climate in the region is temperate continental. The so called "Bora" wind, which is oriented in north-south direction and permanent over the whole year, is typical for the region. Autumn is relatively hot and long, and winter - with temporary warming which melt the snow cover. The maximum rainfall is in spring. Intense droughts in summer, which continue more than a month, are typical. The driest month is August.

Nature

The terrain is mostly mountainous and hilly. The lowest point is located along Tundja River valley - 205 m, and the highest is Chumerna Peak - 1536 m. Water resources of the municipality are provided by several rivers and small dams. River area is 121 acres and incorporates the rivers Kozarevska, Tvardishka, Blyagornitsa, Borovdolska and Beli dere. A mineral water source with capacity of 5 l/sec is found in the former mine "Hadji Dimitar". The rivers are used for irrigation and partially for water supply.

History

The name of the administrative center of the municipality - symbol of pride, power and masculinity, is connected with the fortress located 1.5 km north of it - named Gradishte. The name Tvarditsa originates from the Old Bulgarian word "tvardina" that means fortress, fort, stronghold. Due to its geostrategic location the fortress has played an important role in the country's defence system during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom when Tarnovo was the capital. Sinse the establishment of the town the name has not been changed. 
The feast of Tvarditsa is on the 14th October, the day of Saint Petka - the temple festival of the church "Saint Petka" built at the beginning of 19th century.

Economy

Tvarditsa has industrial-agrarian structure. Coals are processed to concentrate, but unfortunately during the previous years their extraction is limited. Repair of ore facilities and production of some parts for the mining industry are made in the town. The factory for metal line poles in the town of Tvarditsa has national specialization.
A large share of the economy in the town is represented by the logging and woodworking industries as their production is unique and of high quality.
The textile production is young but fast developing. Towels and clothes for children, men and women are produced in wide range.
The land in the region of Tvarditsa is fertile and favourable for cultivation of grain and oil-bearing crops. Apples, cherries, peaches, wine grapes, etc. are cultivated from the perennials.
The small family business is developed in the spheres of commerce and repairs and hotels and catering. The participation of medium-size businesses is in the logging, woodworking, agronomy and transport industries.

Health care and education

There is a regional polyclinic, some kindergartens and nursery schools, primary schools, a high school and a vocational technical school for energetics.

Cultural institutions

Tvarditsa has two community centers - "St. st. Kiril and Metodi" and "Razvitie". Amateur theatre is formed as a part of the community center "St. st. Kiril and Metodi". There is also a historical exhibition in the same community center and an ethnographic collection is functioning separately.

Tourism

- "Gradishte" fortress - the remains of the ancient Thracian fortress "Tvarditsa" are located some kilometres away from the town of Tvarditsa. It is considered that the fortress has been founded as a Thracian fort, overbuilt and developed during the Byzantine and Old Bulgarian periods. Remains of a church from 10th- 12th c. with partially preserved fragments and frescoes are situated at the place.
- "Saint Petka" church - the church is restored in 1834 over an older church ruins dating back to 16th c. The iconostasis and the icons are highly prized. 
- Archaeological finds from the Neolithic period are discovered in the region. 
- Traces of Neolithic settlement with acropolis mound, coins from the times of Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great as well as golden coin treasure from 11th- 12th c. are discovered in the region. 
- The town of Tvarditsa is a starting point for the route to "Bukovets" and "Chumerna" huts.
- Picturesque villages very appropriate for rural tourism are located near the town: Bobov dol, Byala palanka, Zhalt bryag, Chervenakovo, Bliznets, Sartsevo, Sborishte and Orizari.
- The legendary localities of "Navitsata", "Haydushki rat" and "Tsiganska reka" are situated in the region of Tvarditsa.
- "Golyamata topola" ("The Big Poplar") - the town of Tvarditsa, quarter Kozarevo. The poplar is 29 m high and 7,3 m wide. Its estimated age is around 100 years. The tree is declared a protected object due to its impressive size.
- "Pchena" cave - located north of the town of Tvarditsa, in the locality of "Paisii". The entrance of the cave is located in 1280 m altitude. The total length of the galleries is 152 metres as 2 deep abysses are formed in the main gallery and after the second gallery, at the very end of the cave, a stream is running at the height of 12 m. 
- Fabulous ensemble of three waterfalls on three floors flowing into each other is formed north of the town of Tvarditsa, along the river, among the picturesque river gorge and the panorama view of "Gradishte" fortress.

Sources: www.slivencity.com, www.tvarditsa.org
Photos: Internet