ABOUT THE TOWN OF SAMOKOV
The town of Samokov (29 987 inhabitants, 950m. altitude) is situated at the Northern foot of
Rila mountain, in the field of the same name - the highest in Bulgaria. The longest Bulgarian river
Iskar, springing from
Rila, flows through it. The town is situated at 60 km. to the south – east of
Sofia, at 40 km. to the east of
Dupnitsa, at 36 km. to the south – west of Ihtiman and at 12 km. to the north – west of
Borovetz resort. There are six more resorts in the region, and two of them have international significance. The town of Samokov is the biggest potato producer in Bulgaria.
HISTORY
The past of the town is related to iron-mining. Once there was a Roman settlement, and the present town originated much later – at the beginning of the 14 th century as an ore-mining settlement. At that time, Bulgarian craftsmen had direct contact with the West – European minors – Saxons, called sasi, and in their model, Saxon furnaces were introduced, forgery workshops with blowers and big hummers, set in motion by water power. When the Turks conquered the town (1372), Samoкov was an economical and cultural center.
Initially, it became municipal center and later regional center, administering
Blagoevgrad,
Dupnitsa,
Razlog, Ihtiman and many other settlements.
The first printing house of Nikola Karastoyanov was opened here in 1827. It is not a coincidence that in the end of 18 th and the beginning of the 19 th century here was founded the biggest and the most modern art school in the country.
Some of the most famous Bulgarian painters, such as Christo Dimitrov and his sons Dimitar and Zahary Zagraf, Ivan I Nikola Obrazopisovi and others, were born and worked in Samokov. Konstantin Fotinov, the founder of the first Bulgarian magazine “Ljuboslovie” (1844) was also born in Samokov. Here was initiated the struggle for independent Bulgarian church. As a result of the decline of crafts at the end of the century the town has lost its economical, cultural and administrative power.
LANDMARKS
The
Historical Museum in the town keeps materials and documents, related with the most specific for the region and the town industrial branch – iron-mining, which existed until 1908. Another sight of interest in the town is the church of “The
Assumption”. It is one of the most remarkable architectural and artistic monuments in our country. Built in 1790-1791, it is a work of talented masters of Samokov. The
Convent illustrates the spirit and the atmosphere of the Revival Samokov. It is the only preserved authentic complex of buildings and gardens, peace and coziness in the town. Nowadays it continues to be an active monastery. Enjoy the
Bairakli Mosque, built up in the 17 th century. It is one of the masterpieces of the Samokov ornamental painting art. The architectural design and the details of the building are close to Bulgarian revival traditions and prove the authentic Bulgarian origin in its construction.
The
Big Fountain in Samokov dates back to 1662. The church
St.Nikola was built up in 1859-1860, when the Christians in Turkey got some religion rights. Very interesting in Samokov is the
temple “Rojdestvo Bogorodichno”. It is one of the oldest churches in the town.
TRANSPORT
Samokov is connected with the other parts of the country only by bus transport. Between the town and
Sofia there are buses at every hour. There are buses to
Borovetz at every 30 minutes. The bus station is in the center of the town (+359 722/26 40).
SURROUNDING AREAS
The town is the outgoing point towards the highest mountain in Bulgaria and the Balkans –
Rila. Mostly through the famous resorts
Borovets and
Malyovitsa any point can be reached by marked tourist routes. 13 km southwest of Samokov, near the road to
Malyovitsa is situated the big resort village of
Govedartsi. The spa resort of Belchinski bani is 13 km west of the town along the Palakaria River. At 27 km distance, to the northwest of Samokov is located the famous Alino monastery. At 30 km to the east is situated the resort town of Dolna bania.
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