Etropole boasts a history spanning over 2500 years, emerging in the 7th-6th centuries BCE. The earliest settlers were the Thracians from the Triballi tribe. For many centuries, the settlement lay at a crucial crossroads connecting the Danube with Macedonia and Thrace, close to two significant Balkan passes – the Etropole (via today’s village of Sturgel to Sofia) and Zlatitsa (to Thrace and the Aegean).
Strategic Crossroads and Historic Battles
On the route from Etropole to Zlatitsa (Zlatitsa pass), on their return to Ancient Macedonia after a successful campaign against the Scythians, King Philip II of Macedon’s troops passed through in 339 BCE. The Triballi intercepted them in the mountain gorges, demanded a share of the loot, fought for it, and, after injuring Philip II himself, seized it.
Later, Alexander the Great traversed the area in 335 BCE to avenge his father, pursuing the Triballi to the Danube where they found refuge on an island. The Celts and Roman legions also passed through the region.
Medieval Military Campaigns
Throughout the Middle Ages, numerous military campaigns traversed this area: Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angel led his troops through in 1188 against the fortified Assen dynasty in Lovech; the Tsars of Tarnovo during their campaigns in Macedonia (e.g., Michael III Shishman in 1330), and others.
Economic and Trade Development
The location and natural conditions of the area favored economic development and trade from ancient times. Archaeological evidence, such as Macedonian and Greek coins, Greek pottery, luxurious items, and jewelry, indicate early trade exchanges with distant markets like Phoenicia and Egypt.
Mining and Craftsmanship Boom
In the 16th-17th centuries, the city developed as an important mining and craft center, extracting iron, copper, gold, and silver. Experienced Saxon miners settled in Etropole in the 16th century, introducing new mining technology – hammer forges.
The exploitation of ore deposits stimulated the rapid development of various metalworking crafts – blacksmithing, coppersmithing, knifemaking, goldsmithing, and gunsmithing. Additionally, shoemaking, pottery, flask making, braid making, tanning, and sheepskin production, charcoal making, fulling, and many other crafts thrived. According to archival data from 1820, Etropole boasted 42 different crafts.
Extensive Trade Networks
The city’s artisan and trade connections were primarily with Plovdiv, Pleven, Sofia, Svishtov, Lovech, and other towns. Goods were exported beyond the country’s borders to Vienna, Budapest, Istanbul, Alexandria, Edirne, Bucharest, Bitola, Russia, and Austro-Hungary.
Cultural and Educational Flourishing
The economic boom of the settlement created conditions for the development of education and literacy. In the 16th-17th centuries, the “Holy Trinity” Monastery (Varovitets), located in a picturesque spot 5 km southeast of the city, saw the rise of the Etropole literary-educational and calligraphic-artistic school. Here, biblical and liturgical texts were copied in a unique style. Seventy-six volumes of manuscripts, invaluable documents in the treasury of Bulgarian literature, have been preserved.
In 1613, a cell school was established in the monastery. By the late 18th century, such schools were founded in the city, in the churches, and metochions of the Rila, Zograf, Glozhene, and Cherepish monasteries. In 1811, a public cell school was opened in Etropole.
Between 1828 and 1830, one of the country’s first school buildings for mutual instruction was constructed. The city’s elite – merchants and craftsmen – built boys’ and girls’ class schools, beautiful residential and commercial buildings, and contributed to the expansion and improvement of the city.
Influence on Regional Education
The rapid development of education significantly boosted the cultural uplift of nearby and distant settlements. Dozens of grammarians, teachers, and educators from Etropole, or those educated there, spread knowledge, enlightenment, and culture across Bulgarian lands.
Roads and Decline
In 1865, Midhat Pasha built a new main road through the Arabakonak pass from Sofia to Northern Bulgaria (Pleven and Rousse). The village of Samundzhiyevo, located by the road, quickly grew, was declared a town, and renamed Orhanie (now Botevgrad). Previously situated at an important crossroads for centuries, after 1865, 15 km off the main road, Etropole gradually lost its influence and remained a small town.
Key Figures and Revolutionary Movements
Todor Peev (1842-1904), a teacher, revolutionary, writer, and journalist, played a significant role in the development of education in Etropole. He left a bright mark on the national history as one of the prominent figures of the Bulgarian National Revival.
With the personal involvement of Vasil Levski, a revolutionary committee was founded in 1870. Etropole also played a vital role in the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation (1877-1878). After the fall of Pleven, Russian troops headed towards Sofia. However, the Turks, fortified at the Arabakonak-Shindarnika position, blocked the Orhanie, Etropole, and Zlatitsa passes leading to Sofia and Plovdiv. The Russian command designated Etropole as a crucial strategic position and starting point for these passes. On November 24, 1877, the 3rd Guard Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Victor Dandevil, from the Western Russian detachment of Lieutenant General Joseph Gurko, captured Etropole, bringing freedom. From there, they led the winter crossing of the Balkan Mountains for 40 days. Many Etropole residents and inhabitants of surrounding settlements assisted the Russian army with technical support, reconnaissance, supply, and more.
