Gorno Izvorovo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gorno Izvorovo
Горно Изворово Gorno Gyusovo (until 1906) | |
|---|---|
Village | |
  Gorno Izvorovo Location of Gorno Izvorovo in Bulgaria | |
| Coordinates: 42°40′N 25°30′E / 42.67°N 25.50°E | |
| Country |  Bulgaria |
| Province | Stara Zagora Province |
| Municipality | Kazanlak Municipality |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.624 km2 (9.507 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 600 m (2,000 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 205 |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+3 (EEST) |
| Postal code | 6181 |
| Area code | 04350 |
Gorno Izvorovo (Горно Изворово, meaning "Upper Izvorovo") is a village in Kazanlak Municipality, Stara Zagora Province, in central Bulgaria.[1] It is located at the foot of the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina), approximately 10 kilometres northeast of the town of Kazanlak.[2] Gorno Izvorovo constitutes an independent mayoralty (kmetstvo) within the municipality and is the smallest settlement by population in Kazanlak Municipality.[3][4]
The village is a popular starting point for hiking trails leading to Sarıyar Peak (1,485 m), the highest peak in this part of the Balkan Mountains, which the spiritual teacher Peter Deunov described as the second most energetically powerful place in Bulgaria after the Seven Rila Lakes.[4][5]
The village is situated in a mountainous area at an elevation of 500 to 699 metres on the southern slopes of the Balkan Mountains.[3] The village territory covers 24.624 square kilometres.[1]
Gorno Izvorovo is located above the nearby villages of Dolno Izvorovo (Lower Izvorovo) and the hamlet of Sredno Izvorovo (Middle Izvorovo), with which it historically shared administrative and cultural ties known collectively as the Gyusovo area.[6] In 1981, Sredno Izvorovo was merged administratively with Dolno Izvorovo.[6]
The village is rich in springs and water sources, with small fountains flowing in nearly every yard.[7] The Bulgarian writer Chudomir described the area poetically, noting that "from every yard in the village a small fountain with a wooden spout gurgles, and where there is no fountain, a clear little well streams and reflects the deep spring sky in its waters."[7]
History
Etymology
Until 1906, the village was known as Gorno Gyusovo (Горно Гюсово).[4] The name "Gyusovo" (also spelled "Isovo") derives from the Turkish words i-su meaning "good water", referring to the abundance of springs in the area.[7]
In 1906, the village was renamed to Gorno Izvorovo, meaning "Upper Springs" in Bulgarian (from izvor, meaning "spring"), preserving the historical association with the local water sources.[4]
Ottoman period
During the Ottoman period, the Gyusovo area consisted of three settlements: Gorno (Upper), Sredno (Middle), and Dolno (Lower) Gyusovo, all populated primarily by Turks who were deliberately settled there to guard the important mountain passes.[6][7]
The Bulgarian historian D. Ilkov wrote in his 1908 book "Contribution to the History of Stara Zagora" that the Gyusovo Turks were known as fierce brigands who would often attack harvesting women traveling through the area.[7] The villages of Gorno and Sredno Gyusovo enjoyed special privileges and did not pay taxes to the Ottoman authorities, possibly in exchange for guarding the mountain pass, while Dolno Gyusovo did pay such taxes.[7]
Post-Liberation
The first Bulgarian settlers arrived in Gorno Izvorovo after the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878.[4] They came from neighbouring settlements including Maglizh, Seltse, Raduntsi, and Yavorovets, as well as Pomaks from the Blagoevgrad Province region.[6] The early Bulgarian settlers planted sweet chestnut trees, which are now over 100 years old and still stand in the village.[4]
Near the village, in the locality of Mazarlak Dere (meaning "Cemetery Valley"), the remains of old Turkish cemeteries can still be seen, with tall stone markers protruding from the ground that local Muslims continue to honour.[8]
Demographics
Culture
The village celebrates its annual festival (sabor) on Dimitrovden (St. Demetrius' Day), 26 October.[9] The celebrations include a culinary exhibition, games for children and adults, a fire show, and fireworks on the eve of the holiday, followed by a liturgy and blessing for health on the feast day itself.[9]
The events are organized by the kmetstvo and the community centre (chitalishte) "Otets Paisiy - 1931" (Father Paisius).[9][10] The village church is dedicated to St. Demetrius.[10]
Tourism and hiking
Gorno Izvorovo is an important starting point for hiking in the Balkan Mountains.[11] The village is located directly at the foot of Sarıyar Peak (also known as Zhulti Bryag or Prahachka, 1,485 m), the highest peak in this section of the Stara Planina, making the ascent relatively short and not particularly strenuous.[12]
Hiking routes
Several marked hiking trails originate from the village:[11][13]
- Panoramic route to Sarıyar Peak: The route passes through the Kaleto fortress, the Yasova Polyana saddle, and the Markovi Pregradi fortress before reaching the summit. Distance: 8.5 km, elevation gain: 750 m, duration: 2.5-3 hours.[11]
- Circular route via Maglishki Ushi: A longer route via the Maglishki Ushi and Izvorovski Ushi saddles, the Kupenite peaks, and Sarıyar. Distance: 18.3 km, elevation gain: 750 m, duration: 6-6.5 hours.[6]
- Route to Enina village: A one-day trail of approximately 15 km starting from the village fountain, ascending to Sarıyar Peak, and descending to Enina village. Duration: approximately 8 hours including rest stops.[13]
Landmarks along the trails
The hiking routes pass several historical landmarks:
- Kaleto Fortress (also called "The Town"): Ancient fortification on the route to Sarıyar.[11]
- Markovi Pregradi (Mark's Barriers): Remains of a Roman-era fortification wall that controlled the ancient trans-Balkan route known as the Enina Pass.[8]
- Zaslon na Markirovachite (Markers' Shelter): A maintained mountain shelter along the ridge below Sarıyar Peak.[13]
- Tütün Tepe (Tobacco Hill, 983 m): A rounded hill immediately above the village, named after the small tobacco fields that were once cultivated on its slopes.[12]
Spiritual significance
The area around Sarıyar Peak is considered to have special spiritual significance. The Bulgarian spiritual teacher Peter Deunov (Beinsa Douno) identified the peak as the second most energetically powerful place in Bulgaria, after the Seven Rila Lakes in the Rila Mountains.[4][5]