Founding and Development of
Karlovo Tourist Society Vasil Levski
1902-2002

Karlovo develops as an object of International Tourism

The name of Karlovo strikes love and pride in every Bulgarian, because here is born the genius of the Bulgarian National Liberation Revolution, the hero-legend, the apostle of the liberty, Vasil Levski. Karlovo is also the home of other important authors of the Bulgarian national revival: the eminent enlightener and bookman Rayno Popovich; the father of the Great Poet-Revolutionary Hristo Botev - Botyo Petkov; the publisher of the first bulgarian newspaper Dr Ivan Bogorov; the Patriarch of the bulgarian theater Ivan Popov and so on and so forth.

The notion of Karlovo is incomplete without the Balkan Mountains. The favourable natural conditions pushes the intelligentsia of Karlovo to development of tourism here early on the century (20). Attracted by the nearness and beauties of Balkan (very earlier from the organized tourism), many citizens begin to vacation in tents or shacks located among truly beautiful places.

At appeal of Bulgarian Tourist Society in Sofia for formation of branches in the Country, the citizens of Karlovo were the first in Bulgaria to form their own tourist society ("Koupena", 16.05.1902) with president Dr. Kambosev (physician) and secretary Georgy Petrov. Later the boys of Karlovo Secondary School founded the Youth Tourist Society "Umrouk Chal" (05.10.1913) with president Georgy Kapzamaliv and secretary Hristo Stoyanov.

In 16.05.1924 two societies united under the name of "Umrouk Chal" with president Ivan Zlatarev (lawyer), Ivan Enkin (secretary), Vasil Chardakliev (cashier), and Hristo Fвrgov (publicist). After 1944 they adopoted a new name - Tourist Society "Vasil Levski". A long way of development followed with many big difficulties, and with many large successes: building the first hut in Balkan Mountain "Umrouk Chal", the inauguration and sanctification in 12.07.1926 in the presence of more citizens from Karlovo and the Country (now "Vasil Levski"), third in the Country after "Skakavitza" (Rila) and "Aleko" (Vitosha); hut "Balkan Roses" ("Red Cross", 1933); hut "Hubavetz" (1977); hut "Ravnetz" ("Comsomol", 1975); hut "Svejen" (1975).


Construction of the first hut "Umrouk chal"

(Now Hut Vasil Levski") in Balkan Mountain (1923-1924)


Inauguration and sanctification of the hut (12.07.1926).
Oration from the chairman Ivan Zlatarev.

Founders
1902 Tourist Fellowship "Koupena"
Dr Kвncho Kambozev: President
Georgi Petrov: Secretary

1913 Adolescent Tourist Fellowship"Umruck Chal"
Gefrgi Kapzamalov: President
Hristo Stoyanov: Secretary

1924 Unification of "Koupena" and "Umruck Chal"