Troyan, Bulgaria

Troyan, BulgariaTroyan, Bulgaria

The road to TroyanThe road to Troyan

Crossing the Bekleme passCrossing the Bekleme pass

Troyan is a town in central Bulgaria with population of about Troyan is a town in central Bulgaria with population of about 30,000 and a territory of 888,850 m². It is located 160km from 30,000 and a territory of 888,850 m². It is located 160km from Sofia. The nearest civilian airport is Gorna Oryahovitsa, 105 Sofia. The nearest civilian airport is Gorna Oryahovitsa, 105 km away. The river of Beli Osam passes through the heart of km away. The river of Beli Osam passes through the heart of

the town.the town.

The heart of TroyanThe heart of Troyan

HistoryHistory

Troyan was named a town in 1868, when it Troyan was named a town in 1868, when it factories developed as a craft center for the factories developed as a craft center for the

region. After the liberation it grows slowly. A region. After the liberation it grows slowly. A spark in the town growth was the creation of a spark in the town growth was the creation of a

small water electrical plant and textile small water electrical plant and textile factories. In 1948, the town was connected to factories. In 1948, the town was connected to the railway Lovech – Levski – Svishtov. Later the railway Lovech – Levski – Svishtov. Later

in time producing electrical motors, in time producing electrical motors, electrotechnical products, building machines, electrotechnical products, building machines,

wool and furniture developed in the town.wool and furniture developed in the town.

Roman castle Sostra, near the village Roman castle Sostra, near the village of Lomets.of Lomets.

The Roman military encampment Sostra is situated 12 km The Roman military encampment Sostra is situated 12 km north north fromfrom Troyan and 28 km south Troyan and 28 km south fromfrom Lovech. Lovech. A A lot of lot of

coins, utensils, memorial stones are foundcoins, utensils, memorial stones are found a at the place . The t the place . The most intriguing find is an ancient Trakian mask dated about V-most intriguing find is an ancient Trakian mask dated about V-IV century before Christ. It is found IV century before Christ. It is found inin pieces and is restored. pieces and is restored. The mask is now kept in the National Historical Museum in The mask is now kept in the National Historical Museum in

Sofia.The castle is built on a comparatively flat terrain, in the Sofia.The castle is built on a comparatively flat terrain, in the valley of valley of the the river Osam, and river Osam, and it is it is surrounded by low hills, surrounded by low hills, with height of no more than 500 m above the sea level. The with height of no more than 500 m above the sea level. The

castle is build near the junction of castle is build near the junction of the the rivers Ladana and rivers Ladana and Osam. The above sea level of the castle is 300 m. Its location Osam. The above sea level of the castle is 300 m. Its location

is exceptionally strategic, for it controls the approaches to is exceptionally strategic, for it controls the approaches to Troyan, to the south, and the road goes right next to it. The Troyan, to the south, and the road goes right next to it. The

eastern (main) gate of the castle points teastern (main) gate of the castle points toowards the area wards the area `Kalugerskoto` - the only known approach to the upper course `Kalugerskoto` - the only known approach to the upper course

of of the the river Osam. The whole valley, in which the castle is river Osam. The whole valley, in which the castle is situated, covers an area of about 4 sq. km. situated, covers an area of about 4 sq. km. MMany objectsany objects are are

localised and partially explored localised and partially explored iin the valleyn the valley..

CultureCultureThe Troyan region is home to the cultural and The Troyan region is home to the cultural and

historical site of the Troyan Monastery.historical site of the Troyan Monastery.

Troyan MonasteryTroyan Monastery

TThe Troyan monasteryhe Troyan monastery, , one of the centres of one of the centres of the the BulgarianBulgarian culture, culture, is locatedis located a about 10 km south-east from bout 10 km south-east from the pictthe pictuuresque town of Troyanresque town of Troyan. . Unknown Bulgarian, a Unknown Bulgarian, a

monk from the Aton monastery in monk from the Aton monastery in ““Sveta GoraSveta Gora””, , established a little wooden church and several houses for established a little wooden church and several houses for

monks monks in in 1600.1600. In the dark years of the slavery the In the dark years of the slavery the Bulgarian Renaissance gain strength. In the beginning of Bulgarian Renaissance gain strength. In the beginning of XIX century the monastery become well-off. There is a XIX century the monastery become well-off. There is a

reconstruction. On the place of the old buildings the reconstruction. On the place of the old buildings the master Konstantin from Peshtera create amaster Konstantin from Peshtera create ann artistic artistic

architecture ansamble with Renaissancarchitecture ansamble with Renaissance spirit.e spirit.

On the south wall of the church the On the south wall of the church the constructor left his stone portrait - mask. constructor left his stone portrait - mask. In the present state the wall-paintings and In the present state the wall-paintings and

the icons are made by the remarkable the icons are made by the remarkable artist Zahari Christov Zograf, also by his artist Zahari Christov Zograf, also by his

little brother - Dimitar Zograf and by little brother - Dimitar Zograf and by masters from Triavna. With painting masters from Triavna. With painting ofof the icons of the Bulgarian saints, heroes the icons of the Bulgarian saints, heroes and fighters for national independence, and fighters for national independence, the artists express the national speciality the artists express the national speciality

and thirst for independence of the and thirst for independence of the Bulgarian people. Bulgarian people.

August 15th is the day of the August 15th is the day of the Monastery's Patron Saint, when Monastery's Patron Saint, when

thousands of people from the thousands of people from the country gather to celebrate and country gather to celebrate and

see the unique icon of Mary. The see the unique icon of Mary. The icon is unique for the fact that icon is unique for the fact that Mary has three hands made of Mary has three hands made of silver. The origin of the icon is silver. The origin of the icon is unknown but there are many unknown but there are many stories, some of which involve stories, some of which involve

miracles.miracles.

The town is famous for its traditional pottery, The town is famous for its traditional pottery, probably developed partly as a result of the probably developed partly as a result of the qualities of the local clay soil. Pottery was a qualities of the local clay soil. Pottery was a

main source of income for the local craftsmen main source of income for the local craftsmen

during the Bulgarian Renaissance age.during the Bulgarian Renaissance age.

Now handmade pottery items are sold as Now handmade pottery items are sold as souvenirs to tourists. Fine examples of souvenirs to tourists. Fine examples of traditional pottery can be seen in the traditional pottery can be seen in the

town's museum, across from the town's museum, across from the municipal building.municipal building.

Museum of crafts Museum of crafts

The origins of folk art and its development in Troyan and its vicinity go far The origins of folk art and its development in Troyan and its vicinity go far back to the 14th and early 15th centuries. Troyan arose as a settlement back to the 14th and early 15th centuries. Troyan arose as a settlement

along the Roman military road running along the present-day site of the along the Roman military road running along the present-day site of the Troyan monastery. Throughout the National Revival period (18th -19th Troyan monastery. Throughout the National Revival period (18th -19th centuries) Troyan was known as an active center of the crafts. It had its centuries) Troyan was known as an active center of the crafts. It had its

market of craftsmen`s shops and later developed the Troyan fair around the market of craftsmen`s shops and later developed the Troyan fair around the Troyan monastery. Troyan wares were sold at markets in Istanbul, in Troyan monastery. Troyan wares were sold at markets in Istanbul, in

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania. The museum exposition, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania. The museum exposition, opened in 1968 is only a small part of the rich collections of traditional and opened in 1968 is only a small part of the rich collections of traditional and contemporary folk art. The popularity of the Troyan ceramic wares school contemporary folk art. The popularity of the Troyan ceramic wares school

which arose during the National Revival period drew on talented and which arose during the National Revival period drew on talented and experienced craftsmen who created practical and beautiful vessels. The experienced craftsmen who created practical and beautiful vessels. The

prevailing gamut are soft earth tones - yellow, brown, green, while prevailing gamut are soft earth tones - yellow, brown, green, while decoration is of three types - angoba, incised, sgraphito. During the 20th decoration is of three types - angoba, incised, sgraphito. During the 20th

century increasing competition on the market led to changes in the style of century increasing competition on the market led to changes in the style of traditional Troyan pottery. The gamut became brighter. Various patterns of traditional Troyan pottery. The gamut became brighter. Various patterns of the Troyan design emerged and were brought to perfection - this pottery is the Troyan design emerged and were brought to perfection - this pottery is

still produced to this day. still produced to this day.

Troyan Craftsmen were also famous for their woodwork. Skilled Troyan Craftsmen were also famous for their woodwork. Skilled Troyan cartwrights produced carts, yokes, a betrothal trunk, Troyan cartwrights produced carts, yokes, a betrothal trunk, wooden granary vessels, wooden cowl staffs, the wooden wooden granary vessels, wooden cowl staffs, the wooden

vodnik (a rack for copper water vessels), long wooden seats vodnik (a rack for copper water vessels), long wooden seats along the walls and carved iconostases. Household objects along the walls and carved iconostases. Household objects made on a lathe such as paralia ( a low round three-legged made on a lathe such as paralia ( a low round three-legged

table), wooden wheat grinders, various types of small wooden table), wooden wheat grinders, various types of small wooden saltcellars, wooden wine flask, wooden bowls, distaffs had a saltcellars, wooden wine flask, wooden bowls, distaffs had a

simple style of decoration. The Revival period heralded simple style of decoration. The Revival period heralded intensive work on public buildings and churches. Master intensive work on public buildings and churches. Master

carvers from Novo Selo (the present day town of Apriltsi) carvers from Novo Selo (the present day town of Apriltsi) created iconostases, holy gates of altars and bishops` thrones created iconostases, holy gates of altars and bishops` thrones

of a number of churches and monasteries. of a number of churches and monasteries. Metalwork is represented by blacksmithery, the production of Metalwork is represented by blacksmithery, the production of

axes, knives and scissors.axes, knives and scissors.

Also notable are the Nunki Complex and the St Also notable are the Nunki Complex and the St Paraskeva Church, both built in the first half of Paraskeva Church, both built in the first half of

the 19th century.the 19th century.

The official day of Troyan is October The official day of Troyan is October 14th, the day of the town's patron 14th, the day of the town's patron

saint St Petka Paraskeva.saint St Petka Paraskeva.

Troyan majorettesTroyan majorettes

The last The last SSaturday of Septembaturday of Septemberer

It is the feast of the plum Troyan rakiIt is the feast of the plum Troyan rakiyya. a. They They mak makee

rakirakiyya a atat the centre of Troyan and tast the centre of Troyan and taste e it from the it from the cauldron. There is a concert, a lot of fun and a cauldron. There is a concert, a lot of fun and a

competition for the best home-made rakicompetition for the best home-made rakiyya. a. The The production of premium quality plum brandy (rakiya) production of premium quality plum brandy (rakiya) has become a part of the local culture. In connection has become a part of the local culture. In connection with this, the town holds the annual Festival of the with this, the town holds the annual Festival of the Plum in the autumn. Plum brandy from Troyan has Plum in the autumn. Plum brandy from Troyan has gained national and international acclaim at major gained national and international acclaim at major

showcases.showcases.

National dishesNational dishes

Winter in TroyanWinter in Troyan

NatureNature

In the forest

Bekleme PassBekleme Pass

The Troyan region is the home to three National The Troyan region is the home to three National Reserves: Kozia Stena, Steneto and Severen Jendem, Reserves: Kozia Stena, Steneto and Severen Jendem, part of the larger Central Balkan National Park. The part of the larger Central Balkan National Park. The

reserves are rich in interesting rock formations, reserves are rich in interesting rock formations, waterfalls and wild life. Most of the interesting spots waterfalls and wild life. Most of the interesting spots

are tourist-accessible.are tourist-accessible.

Kozia Stena

Severen Jendem

Central Balkan

National Park

Beautiful places and surroundingsBeautiful places and surroundings

High up in the mountainHigh up in the mountain

Contemporary TroyanContemporary Troyan

Antique Café

Chateau Montagne HotelChateau Montagne Hotel

Troyan Plaza Hotel in the centre of Troyan Plaza Hotel in the centre of the townthe town

Park Hotel Troyan up in the Park Hotel Troyan up in the Kapincho ParkKapincho Park

Here you can take a look on pictures of town of Troyan made Here you can take a look on pictures of town of Troyan made fromfrom a paraplanner. In a paraplanner. In the the town of Troyan an aeroclubtown of Troyan an aeroclub „Skywalkers” is established. Its basic activity concerns „Skywalkers” is established. Its basic activity concerns

touristic flights, educational flights, rent of equipment and touristic flights, educational flights, rent of equipment and aparatus. You can fly over aparatus. You can fly over the the town of Troyan, town of Troyan, the the village of village of

Oreshak and Oreshak and the the town of Apriltsi.town of Apriltsi.

A new day starts for TroyanA new day starts for Troyan

This is Troyan!This is Troyan!

Thank you!Thank you!

Made by Temenuzhka DobrevaMade by Temenuzhka Dobreva