Koprivshtitsa is situated 12 km from the Sub-Balkan road, east of the capital Sofia (108 km), and from Pirdop (27 km), north of Plovdiv (87 km) and Strelcha (21 km). The town nestles in a picturesque valley along the Topolnitsa River, in a mountainous area, central part of the Sredna Gora mountain range.
The Majestic Forests and Wildlife
The mountain ranges are covered with ancient beech forests. However, in recent history, the felled areas were reforested with coniferous species (mainly white pine and common spruce, due to their rapid growth). Contemporary ecologists criticize this practice, arguing that coniferous reforestation depletes and dries out the soils. Another specific wild species in the area around Koprivshtitsa is the European larch. The mountains abound with wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, nettles, sorrel, dock, various mushrooms, crocuses, and more. Larger wild animals such as wild boar, deer, foxes, wolves, and eagles are also present. In the vicinity of the town, rare species like the golden eagle and the black stork have been observed.
Agricultural and Livestock Traditions
Koprivshtitsa boasts a rich agricultural and livestock tradition. Despite its status as a town, a significant portion of the population is still engaged in these activities. They primarily cultivate potatoes, rye, beans, peas, plums, pumpkins, zucchini, some apple varieties, and chokeberries. The harsher climate does not permit the cultivation of other crops such as tomatoes or wheat. For fodder, they gather hay, pigweed, and oats. Traditionally, they raise sheep, cows, horses, chickens, and ducks. In the town and its surroundings, a wide range of useful herbs can be found.
Historical Pathways and Settlement Origins
It’s believed that ancient roads connecting the towns of Zlatitsa, Pirdop, and Klisura with Strelcha and Panagyurishte crossed at the site of today’s Koprivshtitsa. Situated in a basin covered with lush green grass and watered by the Topolnitsa River and its tributaries, the location was ideal for caravans, travelers, and merchants to rest.
Due to favorable natural conditions, an old Bulgarian family settled in the area with their herds. This family, known as the “zhupa” (a Slavic term meaning “family” or “household”), established the beginnings of a new settlement. As the zhupa grew, so did the number of houses, forming small domestic communities. Almost every relative received a nickname based on specific traits, occupations, or incidents related to them. These nicknames eventually became the names of newly established neighborhoods, some of which remain as family names to this day.
Legends and Lore
Supporting this theory is the fact that part of the Lambovska (Kokon) neighborhood is still called Zhupata. This area features a small square in the center of the neighborhood. In 1901, a fountain named “Rayna” or “Raynovets” was erected on the southwest wall enclosing the square, funded by the local women’s society “Blagovestie.” This part of the neighborhood is also known as “Izgorut.”
Another legend tells of a young woman who settled in what is now Koprivshtitsa, finding the area suitable for livestock rearing. Shortly after arriving, she traveled to Edirne (modern-day Turkey) and obtained a decree from the sultan, making her the ruler of Koprivshtitsa, granting the village significant privileges. This decree first referred to Koprivshtitsa as “Avratalan” – “women’s meadow,” a name frequently used by the Turks thereafter. The stories tell that a Turk with a shod horse could not pass through the village, and the residents were allowed to carry weapons freely. In gratitude and respect, the Koprivshtitsa people called her Sultanka, and her descendants were known as Sultanekovi for many years.
These two versions of Koprivshtitsa’s founding might be connected. In the early period after the settlement of the old zhupa, family ties were very close, which led Koprivshtitsa residents to seek spouses from other places. It’s possible that a noble and wealthy member of the zhupa married a girl from a noble family.
Historical Significance and Archaeological Findings
The Koprivshtitsa region was once within the territory of the Thracian tribe of Koilaleti, whose exact boundaries are unknown. According to Pliny, in Roman times, this tribe split into two branches: the great Koilaleti, who likely lived in the Sub-Balkan lands of Topolka and Stryama, and the small Koilaleti in the Arda valley in the Rhodopes. Wilhelm Tomaschek suggested that two provinces (strategies) named after this tribe existed in Roman times, but this is questionable. There is no information on the older history of the Koilaleti tribe; however, it is certain that this tribe was known.
Thracian Residence “Smilovene”
The archaeological reserve “Thracian Residence ‘Smilovene’” was built more than 2600 years ago (as of 2020), developed between 1961 and 2006. Its uniqueness lies in its construction with large, perfectly fitting stone blocks, a style characteristic of the buildings in Pliska and Preslav, believed to have been introduced to the Balkan Peninsula by the Proto-Bulgarians. Interestingly, the Thracian residence “Smilovene” was constructed in this manner 2600 years ago by the Thracians. The site can be reached by a dirt road.
In the locality of Sopolivite Kamuni, an ancient megalithic sanctuary was registered, related to field studies in the area of Strelcha, examining the localities of Kulata, Kachulata, and Skumsale. A partially preserved Roman road runs along the western ridge above the town towards the village of Dushanci.
The population outside the small fortresses, built during the time of Tsar Yoanis, likely consisted of captured remnants of Latin armies during the tsar’s military campaigns in 1205 and subsequent actions by Boril. This origin explains some Latin names of geographical features in the region.
Defense Structures and Environmental Impact
As everywhere in the country, fortresses were built in the Koprivshtitsa area to protect the population from invaders. One such structure, whose remains can be seen in the locality of Gurmi Dol (Gradishte), served to guard the road to the already settled upper reaches of the Topolnitsa River. The fortress was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and existed until the late 16th century.
The houses of the population along the upper reaches, known as Toroman Mahala, were built of wooden planks assembled without metal nails using supporting beams. The construction of these hut-like dwellings and primitive agriculture led to the felling and burning of dense forests. Thus, by the early 20th century, the area around the town was bare and desolate.
The deforestation of the town’s surroundings led to the founding of the public organization in Koprivshtitsa, the Society for Afforestation, in 1907, aiming to expand the reforestation efforts initiated by Neyko Azmanov around the town.
Koprivshtitsa Railway Station
Located in the municipality of Anton (near the border with Pirdop municipality), about 9 km north of Koprivshtitsa, the railway station lies in the gorge formed in the valley of the Topolnitsa River, at its confluence with the Vartopska (Koznishka) River. To the east is the country’s longest railway tunnel “Koznitsa” (5901 m long), passing under the Koznitsa transverse ridge and emerging in the Stryama valley near Stryama station. From there, interesting tourist routes lead to Koprivshtitsa, the locality of Vartopa, and the Dushanci reservoir.
The station was built in 1951, designed by architect Velio Debelyanov. Following the major overhaul of the track and the Koznitsa tunnel in 2020, the design speed for train compositions increased to 100 km/h. The railway track has been renewed with drainage facilities and partial waterproofing constructed. The overhead contact network was completely replaced, and video surveillance was installed at both tunnel portals.
The tunnel was excavated between 1949 and 1951 by the Labor Corps. The construction was led by Captain Atanas Panayotov, with engineers Nikola Kolarov (son of Vasil Kolarov) and Georgiy Sinyuk overseeing the project.
A Tribute to History and Culture
Initiated by the Directorate of Museums – Koprivshtitsa, the interior of the station’s waiting room is adorned with portraits of notable Koprivshtitsa residents in the country’s history and culture.
West of Koprivshtitsa station is the station serving Anton village, and to the east is Stryama station, serving Klisura town. As of 2021, there is electric vehicle transport available to Koprivshtitsa.
