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Northwestern Bulgaria >> Chiprovtzi
It is 120 km to the northwest from Sofia and 35 km to the west from Montana.
History. Chiprovtsi is a very old settlement, originating in Thracian time, when ore mining in these lands is dated back. There were ledges of copper, lead, gold, silver and iron. In Roman age, the region around the village had been among the gold mining centers of greatest importance on the Balkans. The village is named after the Roman name of copper - cuprum. It was named Kiprovets first, then Chiporovtsi and finally the today's Chiprovtsi (renamed in 1956). In late antiquity, ore mining had been of great importance for the development of military production in the Rome Ritsaria (today Archar). Slav people had come here after 6th century and borrowed production experience in ore mining from the local inhabitants. In 13th-16th century, Chiprovtsi had been a busy mining village. Here settled Saxon miners, who gave a further impetus to this activity. It is not accidental that right here in the flourishing feudal domains of the Bulgarian boyars Soimirovi, a great part of the Bulgarian aristocracy settled after the Ottoman invasion. Chiprovtsi reached its economic, political and cultural boom in the first three centuries under foreign rule. Goldsmith's trade developed most in comparison to all other handcrafts. High artistic production had outlined the town as the biggest goldsmith cen¬tre on the Balkan Peninsula in 16th and 17th century along with Tsarigrad, Thessaloniki and Belgrade. Trade with the famous cups made in Chiprovtsi flourished not only on the Balkans and the Ottoman Empire but extended to Central Europe, too. Churches, monasteries, schools, rich and beautiful houses were built in this environment of considerable improvement and culture. In 16th century, the Literary School of Chiprovtsi emerged. Its "heights" are "Abagar" by Fillip Stanislavov, the theological, philosophical and historical works of Petar Bogdan, Yakov Peyachevich and Krustyu Peikich. Petar Bogdan and Petar Parchevich headed the struggle for national independence in the middle of 17th century. In the beginning, they relied on help from our western neighbours and the Pope, but were disappointed and began an independent preparation of a people's revolt. In September 1688 broke the Uprising of Chiprovtsi that was headed by Georgi Peyachevich, Bogdan Marinov, the brothers Ivan and Mihail Stanislavovi and Peter Parchevich. The decisive battle took place in the area called Zheravitsa, where the troops of the Turkish vassal - the Magyar count Emerik Tekeli - defeated the Bulgarians. Those surviving fortified themselves in Chiprovtsi and in the Chiprovtsi (Gushovski) Monastery, but their defence was overcome, too. Outrageous slaughter and brutality followed. More than half of the inhabitants were slaughtered. A great part of the survivors looked for refuge in Vlashko (Romania), Magyar and Croatia. The town was burnt down, devastated and ruined, after which it never reached its past glory. Chiprovtsi rebelled in 1836 (Manchov's buna) and in 1837 (headed by Vurban Penev). Its inhabitants took part also in the uprising in Vidin in 1850. In 19th century, carpet manufacturing developed very much. The famous Chiprovtsi carpets are handmade from pure wool on a vertical loom. Even today they find markets all over the world, and now in thousands Bulgarian homes the colours of nature in Chiprovtsi beam, collected and immortalized by the tender hands of the carpet masters in Chiprovtsi.
Landmarks. The remains of the Santa Maria Catholic Cathedral constructed in 1371 and burnt during the uprising in Chiprovtsi in 1688. The Ascension Church built probably in 14th century. Burnt after the uprising in Chiprovtsi and later it was restored. In 1865 master Danail from Shtip painted the iconostasis. The remains of St. Nikolai Church - it was constructed in 17th century and burnt after the uprising. The Museum of History is arranged in a house built in 1896 as a school. Working hours: 8 a.m. -17.00 p.m. all the week round. The museum and the above-mentioned churches are on the Historical Hill. Sharenata cheshma (the colourful drinking fountain) -the only monument survived after 1688. Its foundations are about 1.5 m in the ground. In the past, it was covered with frescos. Punko's House is near the Historical museum. Now restored it bears the charm of the Revival architecture.
Accommodation. Punkova Kashta Hotel (the second floor of the Revival Punko's House is arranged as a folk-style hotel). The private lodgings are of 1- and 2-star category. Accommodation is made through the Tourist Council (see below).
Tourist information. Tourist Council (2, Vitosha Street; tel. 09554 2168). Tri Chuki Tourist Association.
Transport. There is a regular bus connection with Montana and bus transport to some of the smaller settlements in the region.
Surrounding areas. The Monastery of Chiprovtsi St. Yoan Rilski (6 km to the northeast near the village of Zhelezna) was raised according to the legend about 10th century along with the first steps of Christianity and the work of the students of Kiril and Methodius in our lands. It is a century-old centre of Bulgarian education and it has been burnt and devastated 6 times during the Turkish rule. It was the last refuge of the revolted Bulgarians in the dramatic 1688. The monastery complex includes St. Yoan Rilski Church; built in 1829 (this is the oldest entire building). It is remarkable with the tracery woodcarving of its iconostasis. Hristo Enchev, an icon-painter from Koprivshtitsa, painted the icons. There is also a small chapel built after the Liberation. The inscription above the wall paintings shows that the chapel is devoted to the Russian Tsar-Liberator. The tower-charnel house was built after the Liberation (Ist and IInd floor) and the belfry - at the beginning of 20th century. The charnel house is situated in the ground floor where are collected the mortal remains of people who died in the national-liberation struggles, including the martyrs in the uprising of Chiprovtsi. The remains of the Gushovski Monastery - built in 17th century and soon after that burnt in the memorable 1688. It was the predecessor of the modern Chiprovtsi Monastery. One can get lodging in the Chiprovtsi Monastery at minimal fee. Annually on 6th September nationwide celebrations are organized here. There is a regular bus transport from Chiprovtsi. There are 34 beds in one 2-beds room and in two shared rooms in the Kopren Chalet (975 m above sea level, 20 km away). There is no regular transport. Chiprovtsi is a point of departure for hiking tours in Chiprovska Maountain - to Mt. Midzhur (the highest peak in the Western Stara Planina, 2168 m), to Mt. Martinova Chuka (2026 m), to Mt. Golema Chuka, Mt. Obov, Mt. Trite Chuki, Mt. Kopren etc., but there is no a tourist marking. However, one can hire a guide. St. Yoan Predtecha (The Precursor) Lopoushanski Monastery is about 20 km to the northeast. The people's poet Ivan Vazov had often visited it. The icons in it were done by the icon-painters from Samokov Stanislav and Nikola Dospevski. There is a regular bus transport from Montana. There are remains of an ancient Roman fortress in the area called Kaleto, situated to the southeast of Chiprovtsi. Chiprovski Waterfall, the rock formation Kuklite and many others that tourist should see.
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