Bulgaria Inside

The region where the town of Gorna Oriahovitsa is situated today has been populated in the distant past. Gorna Oriahovitsa is situated in northern Bulgaria, few kilometers away from Arbanasi and very near Veliko Turnovo.

A settlement was created in the area in the fifth millennium BC. Archaeologists found utensils and richly decorated pottery showing that ancient people were involved in agriculture and breeding.

A Thracian tribe settled in the area later on. Thracians created a sanctuary in the region of Kovanchoukourou (bee place). A monastery church is situated there now.

Silver coins show that Alexander the Great visited the region in the fourth century BC. In the first century BC, a settlement appeared where the Thracian village was situated. People living there started growing grapes and producing wine.

In the end of the 12th century, a fortress was created four km away from present day Gorna Oriahovitsa. Riahovets fortress provided security for the Bulgarian capital of Turnovo.

Ottomans destroyed the fortress upon their conquest. Soon after, three settlements appeared in the region under the names Mala Riahovitsa, Sredna Riahovitsa and Goliama Riahovitsa. These three form present-time Gorna Oriahovitsa and Dolna Oriahovitsa.

The sultan decided to grant locals some privileges and in 1538 they were given the chance to develop crafts and commerce. In 1780, the settlement was named a town having three major markets and 4700 residents. The settlement had five churches that kept the Orthodox spirit alive.

Education also progressed. In 1859, the town got its school and 10 years later a community house was constructed.

Gorna Oriahovitsa took part in Bulgarian liberation struggles. A revolutionary committee was set up there in 1876. Well-known Bulgarian revolutionary Vassil Levski was active in the area. Yet, an uprising never took place because of treachery. Gorna Oriahovitsa gained its independence from Ottoman rule on July 8 1877 as a result of the Russo-Turkish War.

The town started developing various industries. In 1909, a candy factory opened there. An earthquake destroyed some production facilities on June 13 1913.

In the 20s of the 20th century the town saw the construction of the first airport to appear in northern Bulgaria. After World War II, Gorna Oriahovitsa became a transport and industry center for the northern Bulgarian region.

More than 40 000 people live in the town today. Visitors of the town can explore various landmarks among which the regional history museum and the town art gallery. One of the well-known locals is football striker Valeri Bozhinov.

Gorna Oriahovitsa’s holiday takes place in the end of May, when celebrations are usually organized. Residents of the town and visitors usually go to St. Prorok Ilia’s monastery, since the saint is believed to be patron of the town.

Other landmarks that are worth paying a visit to include Petropavlovski monastery, Bozhour hut, Pravda village and Arbanasi.