BOTEVGRAD SATOVARSKA KULA "STRATIGRAFIJA VREMENA"
"Stratigraphy of time" is a term chosen to say that the architectural domination, namely the Clock Tower in Botevgrad, is the cultural-historical core around which the urban history of Botevgrad is created and developed layer by layer. She is a witness of time! Built in a certain geographical area, rich in political and historical processes. The construction of the clock tower in the city began in the spring of 1866, and at the end of 1867 it was almost completed. The construction of the clock tower in the new city has become of the utmost importance both for the government, embodied in the governor of the Danube vilayet, and for the residents. On the one hand, this is a kind of political demonstration, which indicates the Europeanization of the Ottoman Empire. On the other hand - construction is an indicator of the importance of the village itself. Why "Stratigraphy of Time ?!" The town tower with a clock in Botevgrad belongs to the newest buildings of this type built in the Bulgarian lands (1866-1867).
It is the only tower built as an element of a pre-conceived urban solution. Built in the main parts in the central part of the city, it is also part of the main new road Ruse-Pleven-Sofia-Nis, built in the second half of the 19th century. Legend has it that the clock tower collapsed several times during its construction. This is probably due to the use of river round stones in the higher part in the construction of the foundation. But thanks to the right square, the solid stone wall is resistant to strong earthquakes.
The clock tower has survived to this day, living for 154 years. With slender proportions and original architectural divisions, a significant absolute height of 30 meters, the city clock tower in Botevgradz was built as a free-standing body, mostly in Bulgaria, and most likely on the entire Balkan Peninsula. The tradition of building a predominant number of clock towers in our country is generally respected. Its main division is into three stages. However, the view as a whole, the constructive construction and especially the architectural detail in the upper part are unique and make it a unique architectural value. The lower part of the tower is a massive prism, on a square base 11.00 meters high. The thickness of the wall is basically 1.06 meters. This part ends with a profiled plastered wreath, painted with a decorative frieze. A wreath with a small roof on the lower stone part was placed to protect the wall from the weather and mostly from rain. Above this indivisible prism is another part of the tower. Its walls are slightly narrower than the walls of the stone base and are about 0.80 centimeters thick and 7 meters high. This second part distinguishes the city clock tower in Botevgrad from other similar ones in the country. The third is built in an identical way on this second part of the clock tower. It serves as the basis of a bulbous six-walled dome, lined with sheet metal in the shape of a six-walled prism 3 meters high. The ladder is divided into 8 compartments, zigzagging from west to east, connected by common platforms.
The sections are 2.00 meters long and 1.10 centimeters wide. On the beams dimensions - thickness 10 cm x 15 cm x 1.00 m. 7 steps were nailed. On the left unprotected side of the ladder, a wooden fence was made at a height of 1.10 cm for each section of the ladder. The last part of the ladder, which ends at the top of the other part of the tower, has a platform. It leads to the platform at the base of the third part of the tower. The clock mechanism is mounted on this platform. The height of this last part of the clock tower is 7.30 m. The arched dome is typical of Bulgarian buildings of this type.
Data on the builders are rare, but the name of the local craftsman from the village of Vračeš, Vuna Markova, who participated in supervising the construction activities, is certain. The clock mechanism in Botevgrad was probably placed in the tower after 1881. It was made by brothers Atanas, Georgi and Dimitar Dimkovi-Halembakovi from the village of Gorno Brodi, Sersko. Two years later, a bell was placed in the tower, which was cast by the Veleganov brothers in 1883. Count the hours according to the French model, ie. from midnight, unlike the Turkish model - from sunset to dawn. One of its main functions was to service trade caravans and the state post office that traveled the main road. She measured the time to start the journey or to end it. In addition, the bell rang at the beginning of the working day and announced its end. In that way, unfair competition of guilds in the production of handicrafts was avoided. In tone, "la" is sharp and weighs 25 kg and can be heard within a radius of 3 km. The first mechanism built into the tower works to this day.
It was restored by the great master of watches from Gabrovo, Ilija Kovačev (1945-2005). He is the third generation of master blacksmiths. The original elements are kept in the fund of the History Museum in Botevgrad! Due to its position, the Clock Tower is also used for monitoring during the summer months in connection with the protection and warning of the population against fire. This fire extinguishing function is naturally imposed at a height of 30 meters. Viewing through a window on the upper platform and from the platform under the dome, covers the territory not only of the city, but also its surroundings. It is possible that the clock tower was also used as a sundial. Its role is evidenced by the orientation at the time of construction - the direction is east-west on its diagonal. This arrangement allows the shadow to be clearly outlined in a westerly direction with the first rays of the rising sun. This is the so-called Turkish counting of hours from sunrise to sunset, it was possible to determine the exact time of day. In the construction of the city clock tower, the builders use and apply the best traditions of Bulgarian renaissance construction. Outside, the main part of the lower part of the city tower with clocks underwent changes during the installation of a new social center in the city, built and opened on February 3, 1924. In order to unite the entire complex in the central part of the city, the lower main part of the clock tower was plastered and painted in ocher. This color is in harmony with the rest of the building, giving it an overall complex character.
A decorative arrangement with leaves at the top of these pillars connects the frieze with the higher, other part of the tower. On the plaster, painted in ocher, the leaves painted in Turkish blue revive the silhouette of the tower, connecting it for many years in architectural unity with the friezes on the facade of the old building of the social home. In the late 60's this wonderful complex was demolished. The existence of a clock tower has also been questioned. Moreover, in the part of its annexation to the reading part, it remained unplastered, so this patch "ruined" the new plan of the city center. At the beginning of the 70's, the restoration was done and the outer plaster was removed.
The lower main part returns to its original appearance. In the 70's and 80's, the architectural landmark was already a symbol and trademark of the city, a modern stage and the basis for a cultural forum. In 1956, it was proclaimed and published as a Cultural Monument of National Importance. In 1996 it was included in the 100 national tourist places under number 81. Basically, in 2001, on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of Botevgrad, a message was issued to future generations. It is a cultural-historical phenomenon, which proudly measures and accumulates layers of time!
It is the only tower built as an element of a pre-conceived urban solution. Built in the main parts in the central part of the city, it is also part of the main new road Ruse-Pleven-Sofia-Nis, built in the second half of the 19th century. Legend has it that the clock tower collapsed several times during its construction. This is probably due to the use of river round stones in the higher part in the construction of the foundation. But thanks to the right square, the solid stone wall is resistant to strong earthquakes.
The clock tower has survived to this day, living for 154 years. With slender proportions and original architectural divisions, a significant absolute height of 30 meters, the city clock tower in Botevgradz was built as a free-standing body, mostly in Bulgaria, and most likely on the entire Balkan Peninsula. The tradition of building a predominant number of clock towers in our country is generally respected. Its main division is into three stages. However, the view as a whole, the constructive construction and especially the architectural detail in the upper part are unique and make it a unique architectural value. The lower part of the tower is a massive prism, on a square base 11.00 meters high. The thickness of the wall is basically 1.06 meters. This part ends with a profiled plastered wreath, painted with a decorative frieze. A wreath with a small roof on the lower stone part was placed to protect the wall from the weather and mostly from rain. Above this indivisible prism is another part of the tower. Its walls are slightly narrower than the walls of the stone base and are about 0.80 centimeters thick and 7 meters high. This second part distinguishes the city clock tower in Botevgrad from other similar ones in the country. The third is built in an identical way on this second part of the clock tower. It serves as the basis of a bulbous six-walled dome, lined with sheet metal in the shape of a six-walled prism 3 meters high. The ladder is divided into 8 compartments, zigzagging from west to east, connected by common platforms.
The sections are 2.00 meters long and 1.10 centimeters wide. On the beams dimensions - thickness 10 cm x 15 cm x 1.00 m. 7 steps were nailed. On the left unprotected side of the ladder, a wooden fence was made at a height of 1.10 cm for each section of the ladder. The last part of the ladder, which ends at the top of the other part of the tower, has a platform. It leads to the platform at the base of the third part of the tower. The clock mechanism is mounted on this platform. The height of this last part of the clock tower is 7.30 m. The arched dome is typical of Bulgarian buildings of this type.
Data on the builders are rare, but the name of the local craftsman from the village of Vračeš, Vuna Markova, who participated in supervising the construction activities, is certain. The clock mechanism in Botevgrad was probably placed in the tower after 1881. It was made by brothers Atanas, Georgi and Dimitar Dimkovi-Halembakovi from the village of Gorno Brodi, Sersko. Two years later, a bell was placed in the tower, which was cast by the Veleganov brothers in 1883. Count the hours according to the French model, ie. from midnight, unlike the Turkish model - from sunset to dawn. One of its main functions was to service trade caravans and the state post office that traveled the main road. She measured the time to start the journey or to end it. In addition, the bell rang at the beginning of the working day and announced its end. In that way, unfair competition of guilds in the production of handicrafts was avoided. In tone, "la" is sharp and weighs 25 kg and can be heard within a radius of 3 km. The first mechanism built into the tower works to this day.
It was restored by the great master of watches from Gabrovo, Ilija Kovačev (1945-2005). He is the third generation of master blacksmiths. The original elements are kept in the fund of the History Museum in Botevgrad! Due to its position, the Clock Tower is also used for monitoring during the summer months in connection with the protection and warning of the population against fire. This fire extinguishing function is naturally imposed at a height of 30 meters. Viewing through a window on the upper platform and from the platform under the dome, covers the territory not only of the city, but also its surroundings. It is possible that the clock tower was also used as a sundial. Its role is evidenced by the orientation at the time of construction - the direction is east-west on its diagonal. This arrangement allows the shadow to be clearly outlined in a westerly direction with the first rays of the rising sun. This is the so-called Turkish counting of hours from sunrise to sunset, it was possible to determine the exact time of day. In the construction of the city clock tower, the builders use and apply the best traditions of Bulgarian renaissance construction. Outside, the main part of the lower part of the city tower with clocks underwent changes during the installation of a new social center in the city, built and opened on February 3, 1924. In order to unite the entire complex in the central part of the city, the lower main part of the clock tower was plastered and painted in ocher. This color is in harmony with the rest of the building, giving it an overall complex character.
A decorative arrangement with leaves at the top of these pillars connects the frieze with the higher, other part of the tower. On the plaster, painted in ocher, the leaves painted in Turkish blue revive the silhouette of the tower, connecting it for many years in architectural unity with the friezes on the facade of the old building of the social home. In the late 60's this wonderful complex was demolished. The existence of a clock tower has also been questioned. Moreover, in the part of its annexation to the reading part, it remained unplastered, so this patch "ruined" the new plan of the city center. At the beginning of the 70's, the restoration was done and the outer plaster was removed.
The lower main part returns to its original appearance. In the 70's and 80's, the architectural landmark was already a symbol and trademark of the city, a modern stage and the basis for a cultural forum. In 1956, it was proclaimed and published as a Cultural Monument of National Importance. In 1996 it was included in the 100 national tourist places under number 81. Basically, in 2001, on the occasion of the 135th anniversary of Botevgrad, a message was issued to future generations. It is a cultural-historical phenomenon, which proudly measures and accumulates layers of time!