Ihtiman, a town nestled in Western Bulgaria, serves as the administrative heart of the Ihtiman Municipality within the Sofia Province. The dialect spoken here, stretching from the Ihtiman Field along the Maritsa River to Pazardzhik, belongs to the northern group of Southwestern Bulgarian dialects. As of March 15, 2024, according to GRAO, the town’s population stands at 13,579 residents by current address and 14,359 by permanent address.
A Geographical Marvel
Ihtiman lies within the embrace of the Ihtiman Valley, surrounded by the Ihtiman Sredna Gora (Vakarel Mountain and the Belitsa Ridge) to the north, and flanked to the south by the northern slopes of the Septemvri Ridge. The eastern portion is dominated by the Eledzhik part of the Ihtiman Sredna Gora, characterized by its distinct ridge. The highest peak in this mountain chain is Mount Benkovski, towering at 1,186 meters. The valley itself has an average altitude of 650 meters, and the climate is moderately continental.
Vital Transport Links
The town is strategically positioned along the Trakia Highway and the Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad railway line. Ihtiman is located 54 km from the capital city of Sofia and 90 km from Plovdiv, accessible via the highway.
Historical Significance
During the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the town was known as Stipon, derived from the Latin “stipo” meaning “to pack densely” or “populate,” also relating to “stipator,” meaning “caravan” or “guard.” The town was a Roman station guarding the vital Via Militaris route to Constantinople. It later served as a Byzantine and Bulgarian protective station, with the latter shifting the defense center to Trajan’s Gate.
Ottoman Era and Name Origins
In the Ottoman era, the settlement adopted its current name, Ihtiman. However, the etymology of this name remains unclear. According to an Ottoman tax register from 1515, detailing properties and populations around Plovdiv, which is preserved in the General State Archives of the Republic of Turkey in Istanbul under the signature BOA TD 77, with a photocopy in the SS of the National Library of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Sofia, one can trace the migration of people from the town towards Plovdiv.
Legacy and Honors
The Ihtiman Cape on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands is named in honor of the town of Ihtiman.
Industrial Developments
In 2015, a factory of the car upholstery manufacturer “ALS Bulgaria” was inaugurated in Ihtiman, quickly becoming one of the major employers in the town. However, in early 2019, the company declared bankruptcy and relocated its production to Morocco.
