published on 14.12.2007, 14:55 Author: Denitsa Paskaleva Article rating:
Rate this article:
- I was there!
- I want to go there!
Send to friend
Save in favourite
Comment this article
Print this article-
Text size
Panagyurishiste is one of the Bulgarian towns that have been strongly connected to historic developments in the country.
Tourists connect the town to its golden treasure, dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. The treasure was discovered on December 8 1949 by brothers Pavel, Petko and Mihail Deikovi.
Historic events that took place in the town include the April uprising and the first steps that Bulgarians undertook to end Ottoman domination over the region.
Panagyurishiste is a small town, located in the southern part of Sredna Gora Mountain. The town is situated only 90km east of Sofia. A walk to the town can be combined with a visit to Pazardzhik, located 42 km away.
The town was set up as a Thracian settlement. The Panagyurishiste treasure stands as proof of this claim. A mound near the town, named Mramor, also confirms the theory. A Thracian leader from the 4th to the 3rd centuries AD was buried there.
Other historic remains can be explored in the region. The ruins of the Bulgarian fortresses Krasen and Doushkovchenin can be seen near Panagyurishiste.
The name of the town has its history, as well. It was named after a fair that took place on the riverbank. Panagyur is a synonym of the word fair.
During the Ottoman period, the town had a special status, since the sultan decided to turn it into a military settlement. Local people had the right to wear arms and were freed from some taxes. The town had some level of self-governance. These privileges led to its economic development. In the beginning of the 19th century, trade and craftsmanship saw their peak.
Education also improved. From 1839 to 1843 local people collected funds for the construction of two schools, one for girls and one for boys. The Panagyurishte library at the time had 2000 books, among which medieval original writings on leather and parchment. Panagyurishte youngsters got their education there and later on initiated revolutionary movements.
In 1865, a community center named Videlina started functioning. It helped people gain knowledge. Revolutionaries from the Giurgiu revolutionary committee, led by Georgi Benkovski and Panaiot Volov, visited the town. The Panagyurishte committee came under the leadership of Pavel Bobekov. Together with well-known revolutionary Vassil Levski, he set up the revolutionary organization in 1870.
The April uprising was largely organized there. A summit in Oborishte, a region located 12 km away from the town, took place on April 13 1876. During the meeting, revolutionaries started discussing in detail the uprising. A monument has been placed there in 1928 to commemorate these revolutionary activities.
Very little of old Panagyurishte has been preserved. During the uprising, almost the entire town was set on fire. Only few houses remained intact. These buildings have been turned into museums that are open for tourists.
Touteva house is one such historic building. It is the place, where the April uprising officially started on April 20 1876.
Another such museum is the house of Raina Popgeorgieva, also known as Raina Kniaginia. She was the woman, who embroidered the flag that revolutionaries carried. She was buried in the large house yard.
Doudekova house represents the typical Plovdiv architecture. It was constructed between 1853 and 1856. Renovation works took place between 1990 and 1996. After the restoration, it became a museum and was opened for visitors.
The town got its history museum in 1951. Videlina community center is also open for visitors. The central part of town has its memorial complex Apriltsi, the work of well-known architects Ivan Nikolov and Bogdan Tomalevski and the sculptors Sekoul Kroumov, Velichko Minekov and Dimitur Daskalov.
Take a walk in the town and once you get tired, visit one of the many restaurants in its central part. Local cuisine is delicious and the Panagyurishte wine has its merits.
Other must-sees in the region include the numerous churches and the Panagyurishte gold treasure. All dishes and items part of the treasure have been created from pure gold.
Historians believe that the dishes were used in religious rituals. Pouring wine in them was considered purifying. Yet, historians believe that some items are still missing. Panagyurishte’s museum has on display an exact replica of the treasure. The original items travel all over the world.
You could visit the town and explore its landmarks in a single day. Yet, night-time Panagyurishte has its charm as well and you might miss the experience.
Houses and villas offer accommodation. Their charm comes from the combination of modern-day facilities and traditional architecture and interior design.
Still, if you want to rest in luxurious surroundings, try one of the hotels functioning there.
Panaguyrishte has preserved its atmosphere of a revolutionary town. Its location allows mountain walks. The routes are well-marked and accessible and will take you to breathtaking mountain spots.
Tourists connect the town to its golden treasure, dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries BC. The treasure was discovered on December 8 1949 by brothers Pavel, Petko and Mihail Deikovi.
Historic events that took place in the town include the April uprising and the first steps that Bulgarians undertook to end Ottoman domination over the region.
Panagyurishiste is a small town, located in the southern part of Sredna Gora Mountain. The town is situated only 90km east of Sofia. A walk to the town can be combined with a visit to Pazardzhik, located 42 km away.
The town was set up as a Thracian settlement. The Panagyurishiste treasure stands as proof of this claim. A mound near the town, named Mramor, also confirms the theory. A Thracian leader from the 4th to the 3rd centuries AD was buried there.
Other historic remains can be explored in the region. The ruins of the Bulgarian fortresses Krasen and Doushkovchenin can be seen near Panagyurishiste.
The name of the town has its history, as well. It was named after a fair that took place on the riverbank. Panagyur is a synonym of the word fair.
During the Ottoman period, the town had a special status, since the sultan decided to turn it into a military settlement. Local people had the right to wear arms and were freed from some taxes. The town had some level of self-governance. These privileges led to its economic development. In the beginning of the 19th century, trade and craftsmanship saw their peak.
Education also improved. From 1839 to 1843 local people collected funds for the construction of two schools, one for girls and one for boys. The Panagyurishte library at the time had 2000 books, among which medieval original writings on leather and parchment. Panagyurishte youngsters got their education there and later on initiated revolutionary movements.
In 1865, a community center named Videlina started functioning. It helped people gain knowledge. Revolutionaries from the Giurgiu revolutionary committee, led by Georgi Benkovski and Panaiot Volov, visited the town. The Panagyurishte committee came under the leadership of Pavel Bobekov. Together with well-known revolutionary Vassil Levski, he set up the revolutionary organization in 1870.
The April uprising was largely organized there. A summit in Oborishte, a region located 12 km away from the town, took place on April 13 1876. During the meeting, revolutionaries started discussing in detail the uprising. A monument has been placed there in 1928 to commemorate these revolutionary activities.
Very little of old Panagyurishte has been preserved. During the uprising, almost the entire town was set on fire. Only few houses remained intact. These buildings have been turned into museums that are open for tourists.
Touteva house is one such historic building. It is the place, where the April uprising officially started on April 20 1876.
Another such museum is the house of Raina Popgeorgieva, also known as Raina Kniaginia. She was the woman, who embroidered the flag that revolutionaries carried. She was buried in the large house yard.
Doudekova house represents the typical Plovdiv architecture. It was constructed between 1853 and 1856. Renovation works took place between 1990 and 1996. After the restoration, it became a museum and was opened for visitors.
The town got its history museum in 1951. Videlina community center is also open for visitors. The central part of town has its memorial complex Apriltsi, the work of well-known architects Ivan Nikolov and Bogdan Tomalevski and the sculptors Sekoul Kroumov, Velichko Minekov and Dimitur Daskalov.
Take a walk in the town and once you get tired, visit one of the many restaurants in its central part. Local cuisine is delicious and the Panagyurishte wine has its merits.
Other must-sees in the region include the numerous churches and the Panagyurishte gold treasure. All dishes and items part of the treasure have been created from pure gold.
Historians believe that the dishes were used in religious rituals. Pouring wine in them was considered purifying. Yet, historians believe that some items are still missing. Panagyurishte’s museum has on display an exact replica of the treasure. The original items travel all over the world.
You could visit the town and explore its landmarks in a single day. Yet, night-time Panagyurishte has its charm as well and you might miss the experience.
Houses and villas offer accommodation. Their charm comes from the combination of modern-day facilities and traditional architecture and interior design.
Still, if you want to rest in luxurious surroundings, try one of the hotels functioning there.
Panaguyrishte has preserved its atmosphere of a revolutionary town. Its location allows mountain walks. The routes are well-marked and accessible and will take you to breathtaking mountain spots.
Панагюрище
Article overview
Gallery
Comments
advertising
advertising
advertising
see all blogs
Blogs latest posts
-
Union of Bulgarian Tourist Guides - This organization is already functioning for more than 20 years. Its aim is...
published by viki.balezdrova in Useful Information -
When in Rome, do as the Romans do - A short opinion on why foreigners so often feel separated (and in my opinion...
published by Lucy in Bulgaria -
Winter resort disaster during the summer - In the winter, it might all appear oh so shiny and perfect. Winter resorts...
published by Lucy in Mountain Resorts
advertising
advertising
Panagyurishte