Daskalolivnitsa in the town of Elena (Teacher Training School)

Overview

An interesting landmark of the town of Elena is the building of the Daskalolivnitsa – the first pedagogical school in Bulgaria. It was built in 1844. In its yard is also situated the Christian temple “St. Nikola” – the oldest temple in Elena and the region. 

The building of the school is two-storey, built of stone and wood. On the ground floor, there are three large, well-lit basements, each with a separate entrance, probably used for shops. The second floor was intended for educational purposes. Here was the teacher's room, two classrooms, and a separate room for textbooks.

The classrooms were modernly equipped, new pedagogical techniques were used, with an up-to-date curriculum. The educational process was at a high level and prepared teachers, spiritual, revolutionary, and political leaders who took an active part in the restoration and rise of the Bulgarian state.

Daskalolivnitsa graduates become teachers in 61 towns and 31 villages in the country.

The founder of the class school was Ivan Nikolov Momchilov (1819-1869) - a prominent Bulgarian Revival teacher, translator, author of a number of textbooks. He is the author of "Grammar of the New Bulgarian Language" (1868), which lays the foundations of the Tarnovo Literary School.

The building was restored in 1963. Аlthough the exterior has been completely preserved, some adaptations have been made to the interior in order to arrange a museum exhibition on "Elena during the Renaissance." The exhibition presents the history of the city. 

On the ground floor, there is an exposition "Chapel of Archangel Michael", which exhibits icons, church utensils, and frescoes, brought from the church in the village of Shilkovtsi.