Troyan, Bulgaria

The road to Troyan

Crossing the Bekleme pass

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 Sofia. The nearest civilian airport is Gorna Oryahovitsa, 105 km away. The river of Beli Osam passes through the heart of the town.

The heart of Troyan

History Troyan was named a town in 1868, when it factories developed as a craft center for the region. After the liberation it grows slowly. A spark in the town growth was the creation of a small water electrical plant and textile factories. In 1948, the town was connected to the railway Lovech – Levski – Svishtov. Later in time producing electrical motors, electrotechnical products, building machines, wool and furniture developed in the town. Troyan was named a town in 1868, when it factories developed as a craft center for the region. After the liberation it grows slowly. A spark in the town growth was the creation of a small water electrical plant and textile factories. In 1948, the town was connected to the railway Lovech – Levski – Svishtov. Later in time producing electrical motors, electrotechnical products, building machines, wool and furniture developed in the town.

Roman castle Sostra, near the village of Lomets.

The Roman military encampment Sostra is situated 12 km north from Troyan and 28 km south from Lovech. A lot of coins, utensils, memorial stones are found at the place. The most intriguing find is an ancient Trakian mask dated about V- IV century before Christ. It is found in pieces and is restored. The mask is now kept in the National Historical Museum in Sofia.The castle is built on a comparatively flat terrain, in the valley of the river Osam, and it is surrounded by low hills, with height of no more than 500 m above the sea level. The castle is build near the junction of the rivers Ladana and Osam. The above sea level of the castle is 300 m. Its location is exceptionally strategic, for it controls the approaches to Troyan, to the south, and the road goes right next to it. The eastern (main) gate of the castle points towards the area `Kalugerskoto` - the only known approach to the upper course of the river Osam. The whole valley, in which the castle is situated, covers an area of about 4 sq. km. Many objects are localised and partially explored in the valley. The Roman military encampment Sostra is situated 12 km north from Troyan and 28 km south from Lovech. A lot of coins, utensils, memorial stones are found at the place. The most intriguing find is an ancient Trakian mask dated about V- IV century before Christ. It is found in pieces and is restored. The mask is now kept in the National Historical Museum in Sofia.The castle is built on a comparatively flat terrain, in the valley of the river Osam, and it is surrounded by low hills, with height of no more than 500 m above the sea level. The castle is build near the junction of the rivers Ladana and Osam. The above sea level of the castle is 300 m. Its location is exceptionally strategic, for it controls the approaches to Troyan, to the south, and the road goes right next to it. The eastern (main) gate of the castle points towards the area `Kalugerskoto` - the only known approach to the upper course of the river Osam. The whole valley, in which the castle is situated, covers an area of about 4 sq. km. Many objects are localised and partially explored in the valley.

Culture The Troyan region is home to the cultural and historical site of the Troyan Monastery.

Troyan Monastery

The Troyan monastery, one of the centres of the Bulgarian culture, is located about 10 km south-east from the picturesque town of Troyan. Unknown Bulgarian, a monk from the Aton monastery in “Sveta Gora”, established a little wooden church and several houses for monks in In the dark years of the slavery the Bulgarian Renaissance gain strength. In the beginning of XIX century the monastery become well-off. There is a reconstruction. On the place of the old buildings the master Konstantin from Peshtera create an artistic architecture ansamble with Renaissance spirit.

On the south wall of the church the constructor left his stone portrait - mask. In the present state the wall-paintings and the icons are made by the remarkable artist Zahari Christov Zograf, also by his little brother - Dimitar Zograf and by masters from Triavna. With painting of the icons of the Bulgarian saints, heroes and fighters for national independence, the artists express the national speciality and thirst for independence of the Bulgarian people. On the south wall of the church the constructor left his stone portrait - mask. In the present state the wall-paintings and the icons are made by the remarkable artist Zahari Christov Zograf, also by his little brother - Dimitar Zograf and by masters from Triavna. With painting of the icons of the Bulgarian saints, heroes and fighters for national independence, the artists express the national speciality and thirst for independence of the Bulgarian people.

August 15th is the day of the Monastery's Patron Saint, when thousands of people from the country gather to celebrate and see the unique icon of Mary. The icon is unique for the fact that Mary has three hands made of silver. The origin of the icon is unknown but there are many stories, some of which involve miracles.

The town is famous for its traditional pottery, probably developed partly as a result of the qualities of the local clay soil. Pottery was a main source of income for the local craftsmen during the Bulgarian Renaissance age.

Now handmade pottery items are sold as souvenirs to tourists. Fine examples of traditional pottery can be seen in the town's museum, across from the municipal building. Now handmade pottery items are sold as souvenirs to tourists. Fine examples of traditional pottery can be seen in the town's museum, across from the municipal building.

Museum of crafts Museum of crafts 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 along the Roman military road running along the present-day site of the Troyan monastery. Throughout the National Revival period (18th -19th 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 Troyan monastery. Troyan wares were sold at markets in Istanbul, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania. The museum exposition, 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 which arose during the National Revival period drew on talented and experienced craftsmen who created practical and beautiful vessels. The prevailing gamut are soft earth tones - yellow, brown, green, while decoration is of three types - angoba, incised, sgraphito. During the 20th century increasing competition on the market led to changes in the style of traditional Troyan pottery. The gamut became brighter. Various patterns of the Troyan design emerged and were brought to perfection - this pottery is still produced to this day. 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 along the Roman military road running along the present-day site of the Troyan monastery. Throughout the National Revival period (18th -19th 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 Troyan monastery. Troyan wares were sold at markets in Istanbul, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania. The museum exposition, 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 which arose during the National Revival period drew on talented and experienced craftsmen who created practical and beautiful vessels. The prevailing gamut are soft earth tones - yellow, brown, green, while decoration is of three types - angoba, incised, sgraphito. During the 20th century increasing competition on the market led to changes in the style of traditional Troyan pottery. The gamut became brighter. Various patterns of the Troyan design emerged and were brought to perfection - this pottery is still produced to this day.

Troyan Craftsmen were also famous for their woodwork. Skilled Troyan cartwrights produced carts, yokes, a betrothal trunk, wooden granary vessels, wooden cowl staffs, the wooden vodnik (a rack for copper water vessels), long wooden seats along the walls and carved iconostases. Household objects made on a lathe such as paralia ( a low round three-legged table), wooden wheat grinders, various types of small wooden saltcellars, wooden wine flask, wooden bowls, distaffs had a simple style of decoration. The Revival period heralded intensive work on public buildings and churches. Master carvers from Novo Selo (the present day town of Apriltsi) created iconostases, holy gates of altars and bishops` thrones of a number of churches and monasteries. Troyan Craftsmen were also famous for their woodwork. Skilled Troyan cartwrights produced carts, yokes, a betrothal trunk, wooden granary vessels, wooden cowl staffs, the wooden vodnik (a rack for copper water vessels), long wooden seats along the walls and carved iconostases. Household objects made on a lathe such as paralia ( a low round three-legged table), wooden wheat grinders, various types of small wooden saltcellars, wooden wine flask, wooden bowls, distaffs had a simple style of decoration. The Revival period heralded intensive work on public buildings and churches. Master carvers from Novo Selo (the present day town of Apriltsi) created iconostases, holy gates of altars and bishops` thrones of a number of churches and monasteries. Metalwork is represented by blacksmithery, the production of axes, knives and scissors. Metalwork is represented by blacksmithery, the production of axes, knives and scissors.

Also notable are the Nunki Complex and the St Paraskeva Church, both built in the first half of the 19th century.

The official day of Troyan is October 14th, the day of the town's patron saint St Petka Paraskeva.

Troyan majorettes

The last Saturday of September It is the feast of the plum Troyan rakiya. They make rakiya at the centre of Troyan and taste it from the cauldron. There is a concert, a lot of fun and a competition for the best home-made rakiya. The production of premium quality plum brandy (rakiya) has become a part of the local culture. In connection with this, the town holds the annual Festival of the Plum in the autumn. Plum brandy from Troyan has gained national and international acclaim at major showcases. It is the feast of the plum Troyan rakiya. They make rakiya at the centre of Troyan and taste it from the cauldron. There is a concert, a lot of fun and a competition for the best home-made rakiya. The production of premium quality plum brandy (rakiya) has become a part of the local culture. In connection with this, the town holds the annual Festival of the Plum in the autumn. Plum brandy from Troyan has gained national and international acclaim at major showcases.

National dishes

Winter in Troyan

Nature In the forest

Bekleme Pass

The Troyan region is the home to three National Reserves: Kozia Stena, Steneto and Severen Jendem, part of the larger Central Balkan National Park. The reserves are rich in interesting rock formations, waterfalls and wild life. Most of the interesting spots are tourist-accessible. Kozia Stena

Severen Jendem Central Balkan National Park

Beautiful places and surroundings

High up in the mountain

Contemporary Troyan Antique Café

Chateau Montagne Hotel

Troyan Plaza Hotel in the centre of the town

Park Hotel Troyan up in the Kapincho Park

Here you can take a look on pictures of town of Troyan made from a paraplanner. In the town of Troyan an aeroclub „Skywalkers” is established. Its basic activity concerns touristic flights, educational flights, rent of equipment and aparatus. You can fly over the town of Troyan, the village of Oreshak and the town of Apriltsi.

A new day starts for Troyan

This is Troyan! Thank you! Made by Temenuzhka Dobreva