The town of Kalofer stands 600 meters above sea level and is situated on the two banks of the Tundza River, at the foot of Botev peak- the highest in the Balkan range. It has 3800 habitants and is located 155 km to the east of Sofia, 73 km north of Plovdiv, 17 km east of Karlovo and 36 km to the west of Kazanlak.
According to the legend, in the middle of the 16th century a group of men, leaded by Kalifer Voivoda, kept attacking Turkish caravans. They were difficult to cope with and finally the Sultan allowed them to settle in this area but only if the attacks stop. They founded the town of Kalofer after abducting girls from the nearest town-Sopot.

In the next centuries Kalofer grew as a cultural and a trading center. It is a birth place of the Bulgarian poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev and the town where the Apostle of liberty Vasil Levski went to school.

Kalofer is one of the few Bulgarian towns with strong traditions, preserved customs and a great number of churches, monasteries and chapels. It is famous for wood- carving, weaving and especially the Kalofer` s lace.

The most impressive place is the Memorial complex "Hristo Botev", which includes the monument and the native place of the writer. Other places of interest are the churches "St. Virgin Mary", "St. Atanas", the stone bridges over the river Toundja, the school of Botio the Teacher, etc.

6km away from the town are located "The Birth of the Virgin Mary"-a monastery for young girls and a summer resort called Panizite, which is a starting point for many tourist itineraries to the peak of Botev and the highest waterfall in Bulgaria - the Raysko praskalo (Paradise waterfall).

In Kalofer there are houses and villas for tourists, as well as cozy family hotels and taverns.

                                                                                                                                                                           http://en.wikipedia.org/