Asenovgrad is a town in central southern Bulgaria, part of Plovdiv Province. It is the largest town in Bulgaria that is not a province center. Previously known as Stanimaka, it was renamed in 1934 after the 13th-century tsar Ivan Asen II.
Asenovgrad also includes the districts of Gorni Voden and Dolni Voden, which until 1986 were separate villages. According to NSI data, as of December 31, 2015 the population of the city is 49 510 people, which puts Asenovgrad on the 19th largest place in the country.
Above the town are the remains of the Asen Fortress, an old fortress that was strengthened under Tsar Ivan Asen II and turned into an important military post in the defense of the southern borders of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
The city is known for its many churches, monasteries and chapels and is often called Little Jerusalem. It is also known as the "City of Bridal Gowns" because of the large number of ateliers and shops for wedding dresses and accessories.
The majority of Asenovgrad residents are Bulgarians, with representatives of the Turkish and Gypsy ethnic groups in the city.