The region of Haskovo is situated in the south-eastern part of Bulgaria on a territory of 5 541 sq. km. It includes the valley of the Maritza River, the Haskovo hills and parts of the Upper Thracian lowlands, Sakar Mountain and the Eastern Rhodopes. To the Southeast it borders on the Republic of Greece and the Republic of Turkey. The region is characterised by fertile land and moderate continental climate. The rivers Maritza, Arda and Tundzha flow through the territory of the region. Roads connecting the Mediterranean with Thracia and the Rhodopes have been built along the rivers since ancient times. Many monuments from the Thracian epoch, the Greek antiquity, the Roman times, the Middle ages and the Renaissance are preserved in the region.

Remains from Thracian settlements have been found dating back to 1000 BC. Acropolises, sanctuaries, rock drawings and megalithic and monolithic monuments such as tombs, dolmens, and cromlechs serve as relics of the Thracian culture. Strong fortress walls, towers and ramparts from the times of the Roman Empire and the Middle ages can be seen on each mountain peak in the region. They were part of the fortification system of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire, and served to defend the roads to the capital Constantinopol. From the 14th to the 19th century, the region was included in the Ottoman Empire and many Islamic mosques have been preserved from these times. Magnificent architectural structures from the Bulgarian Renaissance period have also been retained in the region.

The geographical location on the border of Greece and Turkey and our complicated history has designated this region as a crossroad of different cultures, religions and ethnic traditions. This combination has created a cultural richness to a land full of natural beauty that makes the region of Haskovo one of the most attractive for tourists in Bulgaria.

The city of Haskovo was founded 1000 years ago; however, there is evidence of a settlement here from the Neolithic period 7,000 years ago.

Near the village of Aleksandrovo, a beehive Thracian tomb has been found with unique frescoes that are well-preserved. It was constructed from large stones and contains two chambers: a rectangular antechamber and a round chamber. The tomb dates back to 4th century BC.

In Haskovo's old town, Rennaissance period architecture exists from the 18th and 19th centuries. Noteworthy houses include Paskalova, Shishmanova, Gurkova, and Kirkovo school, now known as the Blue House. Also of note are the beautiful and authentic houses of Chorbadzhi Zaprian, Hadzhi Angel, Boyadzhiolu, Chorbadhzi Dimitrak. Ethnographic collections from the Bulgarian Renaissance period and a great number of archaeological exhibits are kept in the History Museum in the city center. The Shishmanova and Paskalova houses contain permanent ethnographic exhibitions, and tours may be arranged through the museum.

Spectacular stone churches, The Church of Virgin Mary (1837) and the Archangel Michael and Gabriel Church (1861), are reminders of the spirituality from the Renaissance. They are basilicas with three naves, decorated with exquisite wall paintings and wooden carvings and icons. Prominent in the city center is the oldest mosque in the Balkans, "Eski Dzhamia" that was built in 1395, the interior of the which has been beautifully reconstructed.