The town of Elena - lessons in Bulgarian history amidst fascinating National Revival architecture

published on 9/23/25 5:05 PM

Photo: Rositsa Petkova

The picturesque town of Elena is located in the middle part of the Balkan Mountains, the so-called Elenski Balkan arae, about 40 km from the medieval capital of Bulgaria - the town of Veliko Tarnovo.

It is a must-see for those lovers of Bulgarian history who wish to walk along its cobblestone streets and contemplate its beautiful National Revival period (18-19 century) architecture dating to the early 19th century.

It is believed that the town was founded before the fall of Bulgaria under Ottoman rule. During the National Revival period, it became one of the major educational, commercial and craft centres, as its inhabitants participated in all important historical events.

Elena, the town they once called the “Bulgarian Bethlehem”

One of the most emblematic buildings is that of the so-called "Daskalolivovnitsa" - the first class school in Bulgaria for the training of teachers. Celebrated Bulgarian poet Petko Slaveykov, who was one of the school's graduates, gave it the romantic name "Daskalolivnitsa" - a place where teachers are "cast", similar to the word "sveshtolovnista" - a workshop where candles are cast.

The Daskalolivnitsa - the first class school in Bulgaria

The Daskalolivovnitsa school was founded in 1843 by Ivan Momchilov. The construction of the school building involved all the residents of Elena investing their money and labor.

The oldest church in the town of Elena is the Saint Nikola church, for which there are written documents dating to 1518. In 1800 it was destroyed by the Turks and then rebuilt in just 40 days in 1804.

Saint Nikola Chuch - the oldest temple in Elena

In front of the Saint Nikola church there is a monument to one of Bulgaria's most prominent iconographers from the early 19th century Zahari Zograf and his circle of life.

Next to it is the impressive church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Uspenie Bogorodichno), built in 1838 entirely of stone.

Църквата „Успение Богородично“, изградена през 1838 г.

The bell tower to the church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary was built in 1912.

Belfry to the church of the Assumption of Virgin Mary built in 1912

Another landmark in Elena is the Clock Tower, built in 1812 by an unknown master and rising to a height of 12.5 m.

The clock tower in Elena erected in 1812

Immediately next to it is the monument to the American journalist Januarius McGahan, who played an important role in covering the atrocities during the suppression of the April Uprising of 1876 and who was an ardent defender of the Bulgarian national cause.

American journalist Januarius McGahan, an ardent defender of the Bulgarian national cause in the 19th century

In 1868, McGahan arrived in Europe and settled in Brussels. After the suppression of the April Uprising (1876), he did invaluable work in defense of the Bulgarian people. As a correspondent for the Daily News, Januarius McGahan, together with the secretary of the US delegation and consul general in Constantinople, Eugene Schuyler, visited the rebellious Bulgarian villages. He established the exact number of those killed as well as the burned villages, churches and monasteries. The results of this study were published in letters and reports on the atrocities of the Turks.

The Popnikolova house where one floor houses a Museum of Paleontology

A curious fact is that Elena is also home to a Museum of Paleontology at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". It is housed in the Popnikolova House - one of the oldest buildings in the town from the period of the Bulgarian National Revival.