Crafts in Samokov
In the 18th century craftsmanship in town is well developed, and all Balkan Peninsula is a vast market for the products of Samokov craftsmen. During the Renaissance the iron-production and livestock create conditions for development and flourishing of many crafts, which in turn is a prerequisite for development of trade. In the town work over 300 devices for Braids, 40 tailor workshops, dozens of goat’s hair makers, blacksmiths, potters, coppersmiths, goldsmiths, dust mites, tanners, and enterprising traders deliver their products all over the country.
Almost all of the artisans in Samokov, except shop and tools they have a farm house with a large yard, with barn for cows, horses, buffaloes, sheep and goats. Artisans have lots of land, mills, etc. They can send their children to study even in Constantinople, Russia, Vienna, Smyrna and elsewhere.
Along with the craftsmanship is marked the beginning of the industrial enterprises. In 1856 Anton Unterberg – doctor by profession, founded the first glassworks in the town, and ten years later it was created also distillery “Brothers Hadjigyurovi”. There were created textile factory, factory for tar and turpentine oil, a match factory, brewery, lemonade factory. The town gets rich.
And today the successors of old craftsmen in our town continue to work and keep the traditions, handing down the skills from generation to generation. As bringing together skills, personal perceptions and traditions, they create beauty with their skilled hands and delight for the senses of all connoisseurs. Today’s range of crafts is completed by pottery, woodcarving, sewing lace “Quesnay”, cutlery and more. Ability to create beauty with hands gets new forms like creation of live thumbnails, making wooden objects of artistic value, wicker furniture, cards and magnetic souvenirs.