Stolipinovo

Stolipinovo is situated in the eastern part of Plovdiv on the south bank of the Maritsa River. The population is of various ethnic backgrounds, Christian as well as Muslim, and a large part of the residents identify themselves as ethnically Turkish. It is known as “the biggest ethnic neighbourhood in Bulgaria” and, of course, in Plovdiv. It was created in 1889 when, on the occasion of a measles epidemic, the municipal council in Plovdiv decided to resettle the Roma that were scattered around town, about 350 at the time, in the newly constructed “Gypsy village”, some two kilometres to the east of Plovdiv. Initially it was called New Village and was later renamed after General Stolipin. Though perceived as a whole, Stolipinovo consists of a number of neighbourhoods that shape it up and give it character.