Information about Ihtiman

The municipality is located in Ihtiman valley over an area of 515 854 sq ², 52 km southeast of Sofia.
These lands were inhabited since the Eneolithic. It is a place of advanced culture since antiquity, as evidenced by archaeological finds - chromes, coins, pieces of pottery and furnaces for melting metal in the area Yazovinite. In these lands passes the road from Belgrade to Constantinople. The passes at Vakarel and Trajnovi vrata are important strategic points. Ichtiman name occurs after the conquest of the city by ottoman soldiers. Legends speak of beautiful brides /ih taman/, heavy fogs /uh - taman/, for concluded peace contracts / ah doo Amman/. But it seems the truest comes from one word - "Ihtimya" which means protection. A land of battles and victories, of strong men and beautiful women.
City Gallery is housed in a hammam - a restored former Roman and later a Turkish bath in the center of town. You can buy authentic household items that were in every home. The traditions of the old masters are still preserved. Opposite the town hall is the Historical Museum, opened in 1951 in the house of prominent writer Gyoncho Belev.
In Ihtiman was built the first golf course in Bulgaria, meeting all international standards. Actually, this is generally a recreation area. You can try their hand at football, basketball, volleyball players. Courses are grassed and with standard sizes. There are also two tennis courts, two swimming pools, possibility of horse riding, hall for table tennis, gym, sauna, and solarium. The complex has built houses for a family holiday and hotel in the city center. Todorov's Day is big celebration with parades of horses and merry race.
From Mirovo old road leads to the ruins of a Roman fortress, which name is carried also by the tunnel highway "Trakia" – Trayanovi vrata. The roman arch, about 18 meters high, stood until the 19th century. Its look is known from drawings of travelers. Today we see the typical construction of alternating bands of bricks and stone. Fortress, walls, hidden tunnels – built to defend- big and strong.
TheTopolnitza dam is one of the largest reservoirs in Bulgaria. It was built in over fifty years. Start from the Czechs at the beginning of the last century, the first wall not withstand the rush of mountain water. The project was renewed in 1946 and completed in 1963. Today, numerous coves attract fans of water sports, fishing and nature.
Because of the vertical ventilation the valley of river Topolnitsa is one of the places with the freshest air in Bulgaria. Its quiet pools, soft music of crickets, constantly running water seemed to whisper tales of old times gone by.
If you want to see the church "Uspenie Bogorodichno" in Boeritsa you`ll be more than welcome. Lives of the Saints, painted by descendants of Zachary Zograph become reality.
Ihtiman is the starting point for many attractive areas suitable for hiking, hunting and fishing. The Association of Hunters and fishermen "Sokol" - Ihtiman, was established in 1896. Club members, as well as all lovers of these sports, can practice and stay in the hunting hut "Iskar", which is located near the lake "Iskar". It provides good conditions for sports tourism, fishing and overnight. Hunting lodge "Eledzhik" is another possibility. The farm is located 50 km southeast of Sofia at the foot of the Ihtiman forest and a unique habitat. At 5260 ha there is possibility of hunting wild boar, roe deer and red deer. In the forest there are foxes, wild cats and grouses. Professional guide farm offer a successful hunt chase of wild boar, as well as individual hunting for jackal. Hunters can accommodate a cozy hunting lodge nestled within the beech forest. There is also individual and weekend program prepared according to the preferences of hunters.
Fishing tourism is also well developed. Dams "Iskar" and " Topolnitsa " and Bakar dere Dzhurdzhin Dol, Dzhahov bridge are suitable for fishing. River Mati vir and river Belishka also attract fishermen.
Shindar area which is located 25 kilometers east of Ihtiman is suitable for tourism all year round. Prepared travelers can reach the peak Eledzhik and history lovers will be delighted by the monastery "St. Spas". In winter Shindar is a great place for tourists who love walking in the deep and pure snow. Summer scent of herbs and cool beech forests makes people return all the time. For housing tourists can go to located here huts in the municipality- "Eledzhik" – Ihtiman, Hunting lodge "Eledzhik" of state forestry - Ihtiman.
The hut of the municipality is fully updated and the conditions for tourism are good. The ground floor has a fireplace, dining room and kitchen with everything you need to prepare delicious meals. The second and third floors are the bedrooms with brand new furniture. In the summer, an outdoor barbecue, powered with electricity and water, which makes the stay in the cabin more pleasant.
Ihtiman area attracts many investors with it`s beautiful nature and possibilities of recreation and tourism.