During the long period of Turkish domination, the Bulgarian mining industry almost disappeared. Mining, once active and productive in ancient times, had been reduced to a few small and primitive operations. The only place where mining continued was Samokov, a mountain town known for its iron production.
For centuries, the people of Samokov extracted iron ore from magnetite, a mineral formed by the natural breakdown of the syenite rocks of Mount Vitosha. The process was simple and traditional, using charcoal furnaces that worked in much the same way as the old Catalan furnaces used in Spain. The production was entirely manual, depending on local labor and natural fuel from nearby forests.
This small industry, though limited, survived for generations and provided iron for tools, weapons, and domestic use throughout the region. It remained active until the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878, which led to Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule Customized Round Turkey Tours.
The Fall of the Iron Industry
After Bulgaria gained independence, major economic changes occurred. New roads and railways were built, and foreign competition entered the market. Mines in other countries, equipped with better technology, could produce cheaper and higher-quality iron. As a result, the price of locally produced iron fell sharply.
The traditional methods used at Samokov could not compete with the modern steel industries of Europe, and production gradually stopped. What was once a source of national pride during the Ottoman period became a memory of the past, holding only historical importance. The Samokov iron works, once famous, now stand as a reminder of Bulgaria’s early industrial efforts.
The First Steps Toward Modern Mining
After independence, the new Bulgarian government recognized the need to revive the country’s mining potential. In 1879, only a year after the liberation, the State opened its first official mine—a lignite coal mine at the village of Mochino, about 27 kilometers from Sofia.
This was an important step in the creation of a modern national mining industry. The lignite, a type of brown coal, was of good quality and suitable for heating and energy. For more than a decade, the Mochino mine supplied coal to Sofia’s households, industries, and the Tsaribrod–Sofia–Belovo railway line, which was one of the country’s first major rail routes.
A Symbol of Industrial Beginnings
Between 1879 and 1891, the Mochino mine produced about 105,000 tons of lignite, all of which was consumed within Bulgaria. Although the mine eventually closed, it marked a turning point in the country’s industrial history. For the first time, mining was carried out under state management, showing a move toward organized economic planning and resource use.
The experience gained at Mochino helped train local engineers and workers who later took part in larger mining projects. It also demonstrated that Bulgaria’s natural resources—though once neglected—could once again become a foundation for national growth and progress.