Sliven, town, east-central Bulgaria. It lies in the southern foothills of the eastern Balkan Mountains at the confluence of the Novoselska and Asenovska rivers. It dates as a town from 1153, but there are significant Roman remains in the area. Destroyed by the Turks, it was rebuilt during their occupation (15th–19th century) and called Enidzhe Kariesi (“New Town”); it developed as a textile and handicraft centre.
The first Bulgarian textile mill was founded there in 1834, and the tradition is maintained by a textile factory. Other industries are stocking and carpet manufacture, woodworking, engineering, glasswork, and the preparation of wines and foodstuffs; the town is located on the Sofia–Burgas rail line and is intersected by several roads. Sliven is associated with the Bulgarian cultural revival of the 19th century, and it now supports a library, theatre, museum, and symphony orchestra. Pop. (2004 est.) 96,010.