My Town Koprivshtitza

Koprivshtitza

Koprivshtitza - a small town situated in the region of Sushtinska Sredna Gora in the valley of Topolnitza River - is a remarkable, unparalleled historic  Koprivshtitza

reserve.

is a captivating mountain town, unique with its cobblestone alleys, houses painted in bright colors with expansive verandahs and picturesque eaves. During the Ottoman rule, Koprivshtitza withstood many a raid, it was reduced to ashes several times, its inhabitants were frequently robbed and driven away.

The wealthier townsfolk managed to “ransom” Koprivshtitza from the Turkish rulers and win some special privileges, thus keeping the Bulgarian traditions and atmosphere of the town intact.  

In this way Koprivshtitza was able to preserve its freedom-loving, patriotic spirit and hand it down to its children. Many Bulgarians who laid down their lives for the liberation of their motherland had been born here: •Todor Kableshkov and Georgi Benkovski were organizers and participants in the April Uprising which broke out in Koprivshtitza on April 20, 1876. The Uprising gave voice to the desire and efforts of the Bulgarian people to win back its freedom after five centuries of Ottoman oppression.

A lot of foreign journalists reported the events of the spring of 1876 and showed the world that there was a people on the Balkan Peninsula which had not lost its identity and strive for independence. Eventually, in 1878 Bulgaria won the freedom it had so long yearned for, at least partly helped by the publicity of the April Uprising and its subsequent brutal suppression.

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•Ljuben Karavelov was a Bulgarian poet, writer and revolutionary; •Petko Karavelov was a widely respected public and political figure; •Dimcho Debelianov  was a poet who wrote some of the most tender poems in Bulgarian literature;

•Najden Gerov was a writer, publisher, man of letters, ethnologist and patriot; •Joakim Gruev was a teacher, fighter for religious independence, man of letters and a public man 

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Together with many other Bulgarians who took part in the wars of liberation and the two World Wars - teachers, artists, craftsmen. The historians don't have united theory for the origins of Koprivshtitza. Here are few of the most common theories:

Koprivshtitza and Kurdzhaliite

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The privileges that were given to the people living in Koprivshtitza allowed the local residents to keep their property even after Bulgaria fell under Turkish rule. The village’s riches were the target of Turkish bandits, also knows as kurdzhaliite, who attacked the village three times and caused its inhabitants to flee. Koprivshtitza was set on fire in 1793, 1804 and 1809, however thanks to their patriotism, resolve and persistence Koprivshtitza residents were able to preserve the magic and the charm of this town.

More information there: http://eng.koprivshtitza.com/tourism.html http://eng.koprivshtitza.com/pictures.php

Thank you for attantion!