The Old Elm-tree in Sliven

The famous elm-tree in Sliven is of Ulmus carpinifolia kind. It is a broad-leaved tree with a very well developed route system. Trees of this kind could be found in Bulgaria only at areas with an altitude more than a 1000 m. The elm-tree in Sliven is a nature’s phenomenon as it is over 1000 year old. It has been a part of the Great Bulgarian forest which has covered the whole area between the Rhodope Mountains and the Black Sea. There are about 20 other elm-trees of the same kind in the village of Samuilovo which is located 7 km. away from Sliven. All these trees are considered a National treasure and are protected by all laws. The old elm-tree is directly bounded with the history of Sliven especially over the centuries of Ottoman yoke. The famous Bulgarian author Damyan Damyanov says: “This is a famous tree and it is without any concerns one of the greatest symbols of Sliven. It is a sacred tree considered as a monument and a symbol of the fight and the high spirit of the citizens during the yoke. This is an important, touching and proud specimen of a disappearing species. It is not proved but some people believe that many young men and rebellions were hung there during the liberty fights.”