The Maritsa is a river in southern Bulgaria – it flows through the regions of Sofia, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Haskovo. After leaving Bulgaria, the river flows successively through the north-eastern part of Greece and the European part of Turkey. It flows into the north-eastern part of the Black Sea.
The Maritsa River has its source in the two Maritsa Lakes, situated in a deep cirque at an altitude of 2,378 metres above sea level between the peaks of Mancho, Marishki Chal and the Twins in the Rila Mountains. The present-day Ibar River, which is thought to have retained the ancient hydronym Hebros, and the river originating from the Maritsa Lakes, converge near the present-day village of Raduil.
The river flows through the regions of Sofia, Pazardzhik, Plovdiv, Stara Zagora and Haskovo in southern Bulgaria. After leaving Bulgaria, the river flows successively through the north-eastern part of Greece and the European part of Turkey. It flows into the north-eastern part of the Black Sea.
Within Bulgaria, the Maritsa River has around a hundred significant tributaries. These are distributed symmetrically; that is, the number of left-bank and right-bank tributaries is almost equal. The fertile land and the important transport corridor provided by the Maritsa River valley have been a key factor in the establishment of numerous settlements along its course since ancient times. There are a total of 52 settlements along the river, of which 12 towns and 22 villages are in Bulgaria, 2 towns and 6 villages in Greece, and 3 towns and 7 villages in Turkey.
The Maritsa River boasts exceptionally rich biodiversity, with dozens of protected species of plants, fish, birds and mammals. The river is a symbol of the city of Plovdiv and a favourite spot for sport and recreation for many, offering unspoilt nature and rich biodiversity within the urban environment. The Maritsa River forms part of the Natura 2000 ecological network.
