Troian
The town of Troian is situated on the two banks of the Beli Osum river, in the skirts of the Troyan part of the Balkan mountain. The town’s name comes from an ancient Roman road, Via Trayana, crossing the Balkan mountain through today’s Pass of Troyan and linking the regions of Misia and Thracia with the Aegean Sea.
The origin of Troyan is believed to date back to the 15th century when after Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule, a lot of Bulgarian refugees fled to settle in this remote and forested region. During the 19th century Troyan passed trough a period of economic and cultural prosperity. Crafts reached their greatest apogee, with pottery and wood-carving being highly instrumental in the city’s development.
The origin of Troyan is believed to date back to the 15th century when after Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule, a lot of Bulgarian refugees fled to settle in this remote and forested region. During the 19th century Troyan passed trough a period of economic and cultural prosperity. Crafts reached their greatest apogee, with pottery and wood-carving being highly instrumental in the city’s development.
In 1870, a community culture centre was opened in Troyan. Furthermore in 1972 the so-called Yellow School launched a modern secular programme of studies, including sciences and French language. Troyan citizens took an active part in the liberation movement against the Ottoman rulers as well.
The city’s visitors can enjoy a walk by the river where renovated houses of wealthy craftsmen and traders from the Renaissance period can be seen. Authentic houses in an old style can also be observed in the Popinska and Dryanska quarters. The Crafts and Applied Arts Museum together with the St Paraskeva Church (1835) are also an interesting part of today’s Troian.
The city’s visitors can enjoy a walk by the river where renovated houses of wealthy craftsmen and traders from the Renaissance period can be seen. Authentic houses in an old style can also be observed in the Popinska and Dryanska quarters. The Crafts and Applied Arts Museum together with the St Paraskeva Church (1835) are also an interesting part of today’s Troian.
