THE CITY OF TOPOLOVGRAD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A000100530006-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 4, 2009
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: March 9, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2009/02/04: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100530006-9
CENTRAL IN.TE.LLIG.ENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
The City of Topolovgrad
SECRET/CONTROL U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
SECURITY INFORMATION
COUNTRY Bulgaria
SUBJECT
Although the information contained in this report is old., it is
being disseminated at this time for whatever current usefulness
it may have.
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1. Topolovgrad did not suffer any damage during World War II. There have been two
new construction projects since 19450 one, the Stalin Reading Room., in the center
of the city, and the other., the State Hospital which is located in the southwest
part of the city. It is only half-finished, with three stories completed.
General Appearance
2. The central part of Topolovgrad is the only part of the town which is planned, the
rest of the streets in the town being completely irregular. The streets are elect-
rically illuminated but there are no signs showing the names of the streets.
Buildings, which average two stories, are of timber,stone, cement; or brick., with
roofs of timber, stone,, or cement. Most of the buildings are yellow or white.
The outstanding buildings of the city arei the public reading center; the Okoliya
Municipal Building, the tobacco depot; and the post office which is under con-
structions
3.
Population and Religion
The population of Topolovgrad probably amounts to about 10;000 or 15;000. The
people are generally of Bulgarian origin. There are no large minorities or
foreign subjects in the town. Most of the people belong to the Bulgarian Orthodox
Church, which has two churches open in the town. The majority of the town's
inhabitants are farmers, shepherds, and builders.
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
AIR
This Document contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
9 March 1953
NO. OF PAGES 3
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
AEC
Approved For Release 2009/02/04: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100530006-9
 Approved For Release 2009/02/04: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100530006-9
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Transportation
lt. There are no trains connecting Topolovgrad with any other town. The means of
local communication are autobusesa horse- and mule-carts., and trucks. The buses
are operated by the State and connect with Stara Zagora,, Yambol, Elkhovo,,,-and
Kharmanli. There are five cars in the towns all of which belong to the Party.
Local Government
5. The Municipal., Building is in the exact center of town. The marriage and identity
bureau and the military service and mobilization offices are in this building.
The rationing office is in the northeast part of the town but near the center of
the city,, and the income tax and revenue office is in the western part of the
town.
6. The Okoliya Militia Headquarters and all other militia departments are located
in the governor?s building (sic). This building is located south of but near the
central part of the town. There is no prison in Topolovgrad. There is a court,,
which is in the reading center.
7.
The Communist Party
Workers are free to look for jobs for themselves if they are Communists. The
Communists wear the best of everything. In this way they distinguish themselves
from the poor and middle-class people. The Chairman of the Dimitrov Association
of the People?s Youth in Topolovgrad is Kara Stoyanov. The Secretary is Koychu
Kolev. The Communist Club is below the building of the Okoliya Party Committee.
Radio
8. The Stara Zagora radio station is the nearest station to Topolovgrad and offers
the best reception for the town. The majority of the people listen to radio
broadcasts by means of the speaker systems which have been set up in the streets.
A few have their own receivers. The radios of those caught listening to foreign
broadcasts are confiscated,, and there is even the possibility that such offenders
will be deported.
There is one hotel., the Trakya, in Topolovgrad. It is located near the center of
the city and a little to the east. Anyone with identity papers may stay there.
The building is three stories high.
Health and Housing
10. There is no housing shortage in Topolovgrad. Most of the houses were built for
single f amildes and today are occupied by single families. The houses do not
have running water. Water is obtained from street fountains. The houses are
lighted by electricity, use wood for fuel, and have painted walls. They are
usually very simply furnished. There are very few houses free of bed-bugs,, flies.,
and mice.
11. During 1949 and 1950 there was a tuberculosis epidemic in Topolovgrad. At present
there is no hospital but one is under construction. There are two private and one
municipal doctors in. the town., and it is fairly simple to obtain an appointment
with them.
12. The dead are buried in cemeteries in the eastern part of the city.
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 Approved For Release 2009/02/04: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100530006-9
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Education
13. There are three schools in the town: a primary school, a secondary school, and a
lycee, which is co-educational.
Entertainment
111.. There is one cinema in the town which shows mostly Soviet films and films, of a
propaganda nature. The most popular open-air sport in Topolovgrad is football
(soccer). The field is located in the southwest part of the city, near the new
hospital. The Youth organization has a small chorus and a sports club. These
organizations, which are not very active, are under the control of the Party.
Anyone is free to become a member (sic).
SECRET/CONTROL - U.S. OFFICIALS ONLY
Approved For Release 2009/02/04: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA000100530006-9