Settlements: Zlatitsa
The two small towns of Pirdop (8548 inhabitants) and Zlatitsa (5648 inhabitants) of the sub-Balkan Range are located in the Zlatitsa-Pirdop Valley, between Stara Planina Mounatin (to the north) and Sredna Gora Mountain (to the south) at 680 m above sea level. The distance of 3-4 km between them is symbolic and not before long they will be integrated into one. Moreover, this area accommodates the Copper Works as well - the largest industrial enterprise in the region, providing work to the greater part of the local population. The two towns are situated 77 km east of Sofia, 27 km south of Etropole, 32 km north of Panagyurishte and 32 km north-west of Koprivshtitsa.
History: The territory of the today’s towns of Pirdop and Zlatitsa was inhabited 6000 years ago. The ancient Roman road connecting Ulpia Trayana with Ulpia Serdika passed from here. This area was often visited by Alexander the Great, by the Byzantine emperors Isaac Komin and Isaac II Angel.
It is known that Zlatitsa in 4th century BC existed under the name of Ulpia Aurea and it is supposed that Emperor Trayan established the settlement in its today’s location in the beginning of the 2nd century. The first written evidence is traced in the notorious Vergin Charter of King Konstantin Assen (1257-1277), where the settlement of Zlatitsa is mentioned. The Byzantine chronicler Dukas who visited Zlatitsa in 1445 informs about the pass (of Zlatitsa or Kashana) and the settlement. Near the town took place the notorious battle of Zlatitsa between the troops of the Hungarian King Vladislav III (Varnenchik), the Transilvanian Voivoda (leader) Yanush Huniyadi and the Serbian Prince Georgi Brankovich against the Turks.
Although the Bulgarians were a minority, in 1859 they built the Orthodox Church of St. Martyr Georgi and a school with the church. The convent with the church sheltered the Apostle Vassil Levski in 1872, who came to organise a revolutionary committee.
After the liberation of the town from Turkish rule on 3rd of January 1878, it was almost deserted by the fleeing Turks. Many Bulgarian newcomers arrived from Macedonia. Zlatitsa gradually declined because of the absence of markets for its handicraft goods, but later cattle breeding and agriculture developed and brought it up. It is interesting to know that together with Sofia, Turnovo and Plovdiv, Zlatitsa was nominated to become the capital of Bulgaria after the liberation.
Landmarks: The old Revival Period houses of Sokolov’s and Boyanov’s are places of interest in Zlatitsa. The clock tower of 1829, built of stone blocks is 16.70 metres high. The clock still strikes every hour.
Accommodation: Frezia Hotel (3, Al. Stamboliiski Street). There are numerous coffee-bars, confectioneries, restaurants and other recreational facilities in Zlatitsa.
Tourist Information: Except at the municipalities and at the hotels, information can be obtained from the Svishti Plaz Tourist Association.
Transport: Both towns are situated on the main motorway and railway Sofia - Karlovo - Burgas. Buss connections with all villages and towns in the vicinity are regularly maintained. The railway station of Zlatitsa is in the western part of the town (tel.: 0728 2300).
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Bulgaria Regions: Sofia District
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