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Belogradetz is a village in north-eastern Bulgaria, part of Vetrino municipality, Varna region. It is located 16 km to the east from the town of Novi Pazar, 60 km away to the west from the city of Varna and the sea-coast and 11 km to the north-west from the municipal center of Vetrino.
The population numbers to approximately 1 500 people. The climate is temperate-continental influenced by the proximity to Stara Planina mountain. The winter is relatively mild, the summer is cool. The relief is flat-hilly. Altitude - 192 m. The former name of the village used to be Turk Arnautlar.
The history of the village brings us back to Thracian times - a big Thracian settlement used to thrive there. Its existence is proved by the six tumuli in the area, great number of clay utensils found, coloured clay plates, remains of a piping etc. The Slavs have inherited from the Thracians the name of the settlement "Byal Gradetz" (meaning a white town, and the presence of the Proto-Bulgarians is marked by few upright tombstones. The remains of a small fortress are dated back to the IXth-Xth century - the time of the Bulgarian First State.
Belogradetz is the village with largest territory and greatest number of population in Vetrino municipality. In the village there is a mayor's office, a community center with a library, a kindergarten, 6 food shops, an Orthodox church, a mosque, a doctor's and a dentist's offices, a restaurant, cafes. Near the village there are two dam-lakes stocked with fish. They are situated in very picturesque areas and offer good conditions for both fishing and water sports.
The infrastructure in Belogradetz is very well-organised. The village is fully supplied with water and electricity. Except for the central piping there are 50 wells and 2 water fountains. The roads are in a very good condition. Regular public transportation is organized to the city of Varna, the town of Provadiya and the municipal center of Vetrino. All modern communications are available - telephone, internet, cable TV.
Several private enterprises are functioning on the territory of the village: a fodder department, a bakery, a department for production of slippers and a grain procession factory.
The village is also famous for its football team which participates in the local championship.
Foreign citizens from both England and Russia have purchased properties in the village.
The locals are mainly engaged into agriculture - stock-breeding (sheep and cows), plant-growing (wheat, barley and sun-flower), vegetable-growing, vine-growing and wine-making.
There are CERES certified vineyards near the village for production of organic grape and wine.
Source: www.wikipedia.org; http://www.narodnodelo.bg, http://svetlina-1904.hit.bg
Pictures: www.panoramio.com