Detail about Koprivshtitsa and Starosel

Koprivshtitsa, a mountain town with unique old time charm, lies 110 km away from Sofia, and can also be reached from Plovdiv, which is just 90 km away. This town is like a large museum, with a host of ancient houses which feature peculiar architecture.

Koprivshtitsa is also the convenient starting point for trips to a number of mountain lodges located up in the Sredna Gora mountain over it. Those who wish to scale its highest peak, Bogdan, can also start from the town. The Golyam Bogdan peak over Koprivshtitsa is a nature reserve. Furthermore, tourists can head for the Saint Iliya peak. There is also a protected ancient tree, the Bent Beech, in the vicinity.

One more fact which makes Koprivshtitsa worth visiting is the Thracian residence uncovered in the period 1961-2006. The residence was built using large rectangular stones that fitted together perfectly. The residence dates from the distant past, 2,600 years ago. It can be reached via a dirt road.

Most of all, Koprivshtitsa is famed for its architecture and for its houses turned into museums. There, houses of Revival period merchants, as well as the houses museums of the writer Lyuben Karavelov and the poet Dimcho Debelyanov, can be visited. The cathedral church bearing the name “Annunciation of the Holy Virgin” was built in 1817. There are a number of houses featuring sumptuous decorations characteristic for the Revival period and belonging to rich merchants. The craftsmen’s street is of special interest.

Touring the streets of Koprivshtitsa, tourists can enjoy the numerous fountains, over 40, built in different periods. They offer cold water for refreshment on the hot summer days.

Every five years, starting from 1965, Koprivshtitsa gathers participants and spectators at the National Reunion dedicated to Bulgarian folk art. Performances and national costumers are colorful. August 15 is also a special day, the celebration for the cathedral.

A visit to Koprivshtitsa can be combined with a trip to Starosel, also a settlement in the Sredna Gora mountain. It is a village in the Hisar region and is crossed by the Pyasachnik river which empties into the dam bearing the same name. The archeological excavations in the area made the village famed. Remains of ancient Thracian dwellings were uncovered here dating from the 5^th century. The Thracian complex is the largest Thracian kings’ complex discovered so far.

It also comprises a mausoleum. The fencing is imposing, made of stone blocks, and the staircase is also imposing. The room has a diameter of 4.80 meters. On the north side of the temple, a high trough in the rock was used to produce and store wine. During the excavations, wine drinking vessels and strainers were found inside the trough.