Cultural and Historical legacy of the Nature Park "Bulgarika"
Within the Park limits, part of Shipka-Etara National Park Museum, Etara Architectural and Ethnographic Complex and the protected places Sokolski Monastery and Mahchenitsa – Yovovtsi are located.
There are data, according to which the Park has been inhabited since the remote past. In the Kiliite Cave (village of Stanchev Han) – monument of antiquity, pieces of pottery decorated with lace from the time of Thracians were found. Now archeological prospecting is carried out.
The territory is crisscrossed by lots of thoroughfares used in the past and connected Nove (Svishtov) upon the Danube River to Augusta Traiana (Stara Zagora) and Philipopolis (Plovdiv): Shipka Pass, the Vereya Road, Maliy Road, the Kran, Enina, Tryavna and Yakanliy Passes, Ivanko’s Path etc.
At the Vereya Road at the foot of Mahchenitsa Peak in 1190, Bulgarian troops, led by Ivan Asen I, defeated the retreating Byzantines led by the emperor Isak II Angel. This battle won recognition of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
The territory of the Park is also related to dramatic events during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) – the Shipka Epic and the winter passing of the Russian warriors and Bulgarian volunteers through the mountain. These events are of great importance for the outcome of the war, brought to signing of the San Stefano Peace Treaty and recognition of Bulgarian independence.
As early as its formation, the town of Gabrovo was a centre of Bulgarian crafts. Their demonstration (in authentic mode) can be still observed at Etara Architectural and Ethnographic Complex. All important holidays from the church folk calendar are observed there. Reproduction of the customs, together with their rituals and symbolics, is also accompanied by a rich folklore program.
The Sokolski Monastery is located in one of the most beautiful nooks of the Park. The chapel treasures the icons, drawn by Zahari Zograph. In the yard of the monastery there is a beautiful fountain, mastership of Kolyo Ficheto. Cold mountain water spouts from its eight heads even to this day.
The picturesque natural sights, trade opportunities and moderate climate have formed the typical features of people inhabited and inhabiting this part of the mountain. The sense of the beauty and preciseness are at the root of the originated local crafts: original construction, wood-carving, icon-painting, leather-working, cutlery, making articles of goat’s hair, manufacture of laces, etc. These crafts through the centuries-old tradition have been developed to such a degree that they turned into art. It is enough to mention the ancient houses in the region of Tryavna and Gabrovo – a large part of them are masterpieces of the architecture from the time of Bulgarian National Revival. The achievements of Tryavna’s art school, Gabrovo’s cutlery, etc. are famous far out of the bounds of the region. The fact that in both towns Gabrovo and Tryavna the first secular class schools in Bulgaria – Aprilov Secondary School and Slaveykov School have been opened is also indicative.
More information about the park:
Contacts:
BULGARIA
Gabrovo 5300
1 Minzuhar street
Phone: + 359 66 80 88 57
E-mail: dppbulgarka@nug.bg
Website: www.ppbulgarka.nug.bg
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