Etropole Public Holiday

The official public holiday of the town of Etropole (western Bulgaria) is celebrated on the same day as the Christian holiday of St. Pavel and St. Peter, since 1927 when Bulgarian king Boris III unveiled the memorial for those citizens of Etropole who died during the wars (1868 - 1918). Etropole has a history of over 2,500 years. It was founded in 7-6 c. BC. Its first settlers were Thracians of the Triballi tribe. The town is located next to the important crossroads connecting the Danube River with Macedonia and Thrace, close to two important passes in the Balkan Mountain. The troops of Philip II of Macedonia (339 BC), Alexander the Great (335 BC), Celtic tribes and Roman legions also passed through the valley. During 14-17 c. AD, the town flourished as an important ore-mining and crafts center. Iron, copper, gold and silver were mined. According to some old documents dating back from 1820, 42 crafts were popular in Etropole. The economic progress of the town was followed by an advance in the cultural sphere through education and literature. The Etropole School of Literature and Calligraphy was founded in 16-17 c. in "Sveta Troitza" (Holy Trinity) Monastery, also called "Varovitets", situated in a picturesque area about 5 km southeast of the town. 76 volumes of manuscripts are still preserved - invaluable papers of the Bulgarian literature. A new school building was built in 1828-1830. The Etropole leaders - merchants and craftsmen - built a boys' and a girls' secondary schools, beautiful residential and economic buildings and thus contributed to the expansion and development of the town.