Location: Troyan is a town in North Bulgaria, situated at the foot of the Balkan Mountain. It is located near Beli Osam River, 160 km north east from Sofia.
Population: Troyan has a population of 37 700 inhabitants.
History: The archaeological excavations provide evidence that this region was populated as early as the Palaeolithic period. During the bronze era, the Thracians settled along Azamus (Osam) River. Many ceramic and bronze vessels, iron tools and jewels from that period have been discovered.
Troyan emerged during the 15th century as a roadside settlement at the beginning of the Troyan passage. The town obtained its name from the ancient Roman road Via Trajana, which connected the Danube with the White Sea as early as the 1st - 2nd century A.D.
At the beginning of the Ottoman rule, Bulgarians from the Danube hilly plain, the Chiprovtsi region, the Berkovitsa region, the Razlog region and the Ohrid region settled here. During the first half of the 19th century, the crafts flourished in Troyan. The most popular craft is pottery, which gradually led to the establishment of the unique Troyan Ceramics School.
After the Liberation from Turkish oppression, the ravaged town was fully recovered and it became a prosperous Balkan town in several decades, as it is nowadays. In 1911 the first electric bulb was lit here and Troyan became the third town in Bulgaria connected to the electrical network, after Sofia and Plovdiv.
Landmarks:
- The St Petka Church was built in 1835 at the place where the “St Petka” chapel used to be. A fire destroyed the first church during the Ottoman period. Later, with donations, a new church was built. The church is remarkable for its beautiful decoration, mural paintings and wood carvings.
- In the centre of the town of Troyan the unique Museum of Folk Crafts and Applied Arts is located. The exposition includes: ceramics, wood carving, icon painting, art metal processing, national costumes and textiles. In the museum one can see a unique miniature model of the crafts street in Troyan from the 19th century, as well as an authentic pottery and wine vessel workshop from the same time. The oldest exhibits, which date back to 10th - 9th century B.C. are objects from the Thracian hill necropolis, discovered near Troyan.
- Traditions: One of the most attractive festivities that take place in the region is The Rakiya Fest, celebrated every year at the end of September. Numerous visitors – brandy tasters visit the festival and a competition for the best brandy is organized. The winners are rewarded special certificated and unique medals with the shape of a plum.
Surroundings
- Troyan Monastery is the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, situated in a picturesque place, on the bank of Cherni Osam River, near the village of Oreshak, 10 km away from Troyan. According to the monastery chronicles, Troyan Monastery was established in the year 1600 by a hermit, who came to that place and built a small hut several years after the fall of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The hermit quickly gained the respect of the local people, who started to visit him for prayers and advice. Later, he built a church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Mother of God. As other Bulgarian monasteries, this one also has its miraculous icon – The Three-handed Virgin, which arrived in the holy place at the time of its creation. According to the legend, the icon was donated by a monk, who stayed with the hermit from Troyan for a short period during his journey from Mount Athos to Wallahia.
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