Oreshak village

Oreshak is the largest village in Troyan municipality (1889 people). It is located about 8 km. from the municipal center Troyan and about 20 km. from the charming old mountain town of Apriltsi. The village is located on both banks of the Cherni Osam River and is one of the most interesting places in the municipality from a cultural and historical point of view. The village is full of life - on the one hand thanks to the incessant flow of tourists, on the other hand because of the alert spirit of the locals, who put a lot of energy into everything they do - from business to organizing summer cinema screenings.

The cool forests and the mild climate of the Balkans make the village of Oreshak an attractive destination all year round. There are countless places for outings and walks in the surroundings, and herbalists can come across rare and highly medicinal species. Only a few hundred meters from the village of Oreshak are the third largest monastery in Bulgaria, "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" and the National Exhibition of Arts and Crafts, which is unique for the country.

The village is famous throughout Bulgaria and thanks to the dozens of furniture companies operating there. The crafts traditional to the region are well represented - pottery, carving, etc. Oreshak offers a variety of accommodation and dining options. Last but not least, the active spiritual and cultural life of the village is maintained thanks to the local community center "Development - 1898". Nowadays, the dance ensemble "Vazrazhdane" with a vocal group for folk songs, an improvised theater group and the richest library in the municipality after Troyanska - 23,000 volumes.

Archaeological excavations testify that this area was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic. During the Bronze Age, Thracians settled along the Azamus River (Osm). Many ceramic and bronze vessels, iron weapons, ornaments have been found from this period.
The earliest written information about the village of Oreshak (with the Turkish name Kuzluk) comes from the Ottoman registers in 1631, according to which 13 households originally lived there. It is a curious fact that the village of Oreshak was originally named after the river Cherni Osam passing through the area (today the neighboring village bears this name), and a little later, when more settlers came, the place became a natural center and borrowed the name of the district , by which it is known to this day - Oreshak. The favorable geographical position and the protection of Stara planina in a short time turn a few huts into a lively territory that has won the status of a village.
Today, the village of Oreshak is known mostly for its exquisite copper vessels, unique ceramics, ornaments, nesting knitting and embroidery, the work of craftsmen from all over the country. Craftsmanship in these lands has been known and prosperous since the second half of the 18th century, when local artists gathered near the walls of the Troyan Monastery to display their works.

Every year the National Arts and Crafts Exhibition organizes an Easter Fair. Over the course of three days, guests of Oreshak have the opportunity to combine a visit to the Troyan Monastery on the occasion of the Resurrection of Christ with a visit to an exhibition-bazaar of folk arts and crafts.