Information about the town of Karnobat

Municipality Karnobat is located in South-East Bulgaria and is part of the administrative district Burgas. The Rishki Pass connects the municipality with North Bulgaria. In the north part of the municipalities territories is located the Karnobat- Aitos section of Stara Planina Mountain. South from Karnobat are the Hissar Hills.

Historic data shows that the town has been administrative center since XV century. It was an important agricultural and commercial center with traditional annual trade fair.

In the past it was known under different names Karinovska, Karinabad, Karnovo. The territories of the present town were inhabited ever since early ages. Proof of this is the Karnobat village mound and the roman fortress Markela (Krumovo kale). This is exactly where Khan Kardam had a glorious victory upon the Byzantines in the 8th century. The settlement remained pure Bulgarian till the Ottoman Rule in 1371.

In 1595 it gained the name of Karanovo. For the first time the name of Karnobat was used in 1762.

At that time the town was a main cattle and sheep breeder. It was producing great quantities of milk, meat, wool, different types of sausages, candles and soap. It was famous for its 2 week fair for farm animals.

After the Russian- Turkish wars at the first half of XIX century most of its residents immigrated to Besarabia. The town heavily suffered from this war. However thanks to its good traditions in farming and wine production it restored to the good condition it is now.

In 1862 the first school in the town was opened. From 1953 till 1962 it was known as Polianovgrad. After that it returned its original name of Karnobat.

The town is the home of the Macedonian revolutionary Slav Merdzhanov.