Dupnitsa
Encyclopedia
Dupnitsa is a town in western Bulgaria
. It is located at the foot of Rila
, about 65 km south of the capital Sofia
. Dupnitsa is the second largest city in Kyustendil Province
. In the first half of the 20th century Dupnitsa was bigger than the current administrative centre
Kyustendil.
Dupnitsa is also referred to as "The Green and Shady Town", because of its location which makes it quite shady in summer and due to the abundance of trees in the town.
One of the interesting things about Dupnitsa is that it's often called "The Little Italy of Bulgaria". This nickname comes from the fact that many inhabitants have gone over the years to work and live in Italy and every summer they return to their hometown. Another reason for this name is that Dupnitsa is the town with the most used-car lots in the country and they are mainly shipped in from Italy.
The town has existed since Antiquity
. The names Tobinitsa, Doupla and Dubnitsa are mentioned throughout history, the last one surviving until the Liberation of Bulgaria
, when the official name was changed to Dupnitsa. In 1948 the town was renamed to Stanke Dimitrov; for a short period in 1949 was called Marek, but the name was once again changed to Stanke Dimitrov in 1950. After the democratic changes, the old name Dupnitsa was restored.
On October 15, 1902, 600 women and children fled to the vicinity of Dupnitsa from Macedonia
from the attacking Turkish troops.
On a hill overlooking the town there is a giant cross, commemorating the Bulgarians who perished in the Balkan wars
and World War I
. Also on the same hill there lay the ruins of a medieval fortess.
During the World War II , even though there was no deportation of Bulgarian Jews of the former Bulgarian territories, over 4,000 Jews from parts of Greece and Yugoslavia annexed by Bulgaria were arrested on the 4th of March 1943 and deported to an internment camp in Dupnitza. After ten days in the Dupnitza camp, on 18–19 March they were transferred by train to Lom on the Danube.
Geographically Dupnitsa is located at an altitude of 500 m in a valley, surrounded by hills. Its location, as seen from above, resembles a hole ("дупка"/"dupka" in Bulgarian), hence the name - Dupnitsa. There are five rivers flowing in the vicinity.
Nowadays Dupnitsa is a fast developing town combining new buildings with modern architecture with all the historical monuments it boasts. Because of its beautiful location at the foot of the Rila mountain the town is marvelous holiday destination. One of the main branches of industry is the pharmaceutical company Actavis (formerly HeFeKa, in Bulgarian ХФК), which gives employment to about 30-40 % of the citizens. Small business is developing rapidly due to the city's economic growth.
Dupnitsa is also famous for its cultural festivals. From 1 May to the 2nd of June many festivals are held in the town due to the richness of the Bulgarian holiday calendar.
The nightlife here is very well developed. There are a lot of local pubs and clubs where the young people meet and have fun. A few other popular places for socializing are the recently refurbished City Park and the Town Garden (in Bulgarian: Градска градина/Gradska gradina).
, Bryansk Oblast
, Russia
on Smith Island
, South Shetland Islands
is named after Dupnitsa.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
. It is located at the foot of Rila
Rila
Rila is a mountain range in southwestern Bulgaria and the highest mountain range of Bulgaria and the Balkans, with its highest peak being Musala at 2,925 m...
, about 65 km south of the capital Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria and the 12th largest city in the European Union with a population of 1.27 million people. It is located in western Bulgaria, at the foot of Mount Vitosha and approximately at the centre of the Balkan Peninsula.Prehistoric settlements were excavated...
. Dupnitsa is the second largest city in Kyustendil Province
Kyustendil Province
-Religion:Religious adherence in the province according to 2001 census:-Language:Mother tongues in the province according to 2001 census:* 153,242 Bulgarian * 7,929 Roma * 1363 others and unspecified -Ethnic groups:...
. In the first half of the 20th century Dupnitsa was bigger than the current administrative centre
Administrative centre
An administrative centre is a term often used in several countries to refer to a county town, or other seat of regional or local government, or the place where the central administration of a commune is located....
Kyustendil.
Dupnitsa is also referred to as "The Green and Shady Town", because of its location which makes it quite shady in summer and due to the abundance of trees in the town.
One of the interesting things about Dupnitsa is that it's often called "The Little Italy of Bulgaria". This nickname comes from the fact that many inhabitants have gone over the years to work and live in Italy and every summer they return to their hometown. Another reason for this name is that Dupnitsa is the town with the most used-car lots in the country and they are mainly shipped in from Italy.
The town has existed since Antiquity
Ancient history
Ancient history is the study of the written past from the beginning of recorded human history to the Early Middle Ages. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, with Cuneiform script, the oldest discovered form of coherent writing, from the protoliterate period around the 30th century BC...
. The names Tobinitsa, Doupla and Dubnitsa are mentioned throughout history, the last one surviving until the Liberation of Bulgaria
Liberation of Bulgaria
In Bulgarian historiography, the term Liberation of Bulgaria is used to denote the events of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78 that led to the re-establishment of Bulgarian state with the Treaty of San Stefano of March 3, 1878, after the complete conquest of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which...
, when the official name was changed to Dupnitsa. In 1948 the town was renamed to Stanke Dimitrov; for a short period in 1949 was called Marek, but the name was once again changed to Stanke Dimitrov in 1950. After the democratic changes, the old name Dupnitsa was restored.
On October 15, 1902, 600 women and children fled to the vicinity of Dupnitsa from Macedonia
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
from the attacking Turkish troops.
On a hill overlooking the town there is a giant cross, commemorating the Bulgarians who perished in the Balkan wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
and World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Also on the same hill there lay the ruins of a medieval fortess.
During the World War II , even though there was no deportation of Bulgarian Jews of the former Bulgarian territories, over 4,000 Jews from parts of Greece and Yugoslavia annexed by Bulgaria were arrested on the 4th of March 1943 and deported to an internment camp in Dupnitza. After ten days in the Dupnitza camp, on 18–19 March they were transferred by train to Lom on the Danube.
Geographically Dupnitsa is located at an altitude of 500 m in a valley, surrounded by hills. Its location, as seen from above, resembles a hole ("дупка"/"dupka" in Bulgarian), hence the name - Dupnitsa. There are five rivers flowing in the vicinity.
Nowadays Dupnitsa is a fast developing town combining new buildings with modern architecture with all the historical monuments it boasts. Because of its beautiful location at the foot of the Rila mountain the town is marvelous holiday destination. One of the main branches of industry is the pharmaceutical company Actavis (formerly HeFeKa, in Bulgarian ХФК), which gives employment to about 30-40 % of the citizens. Small business is developing rapidly due to the city's economic growth.
Dupnitsa is also famous for its cultural festivals. From 1 May to the 2nd of June many festivals are held in the town due to the richness of the Bulgarian holiday calendar.
The nightlife here is very well developed. There are a lot of local pubs and clubs where the young people meet and have fun. A few other popular places for socializing are the recently refurbished City Park and the Town Garden (in Bulgarian: Градска градина/Gradska gradina).
Sister cities
BryanskBryansk
Bryansk is a city and the administrative center of Bryansk Oblast, Russia, located southwest of Moscow. Population: -History:The first written mention of Bryansk was in 1146, in the Hypatian Codex, as Debryansk...
, Bryansk Oblast
Bryansk Oblast
Bryansk Oblast is a federal subject of Russia . Its administrative center is the city of Bryansk. Population: 1,278,087 .-History:...
, Russia
Honour
Dupnitsa PointDupnitsa Point
Dupnitsa Point is a point forming the northeast side of the entrance to Hisarya Cove in Smith Island, South Shetland Islands. Situated 8.2 km northeast of Cape James. Bulgarian early mapping in 2009. Named after the town of Dupnitsa in southwestern Bulgaria.-Map:* L.L. Ivanov. Scale...
on Smith Island
Smith Island (South Shetland Islands)
Smith Island is long and wide, lying west of Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands of the British Antarctic Territory. Surface area ....
, South Shetland Islands
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...
is named after Dupnitsa.