Targovishte Has Carried Its Name for 81 Years

On August 14, 1934, a Ministerial Order was published in the State Gazette, renaming the town of Eski Dzhumaya to Targovishte, as reported by the Regional History Museum of Targovishte.

At the end of the 1920s, the community of Eski Dzhumaya voiced their desire to change the town’s name. Interestingly, the name "Targovishte" was initially unpopular, as many found it unappealing. Alternatives suggested included Razboyna, Maringrad, Mizia, Sborino, Slaveykovo, Lipovgrad, Lipena, and Kiten.

In the end, a commission composed of historians, public figures, journalists, and citizens proposed the new name "Targovishte" as the closest translation of "Eski Dzhumaya" from Turkish, meaning "old Friday market" or "gathering place." This name reflects the town’s historical connection to trade and commerce.

Eski Dzhumaya, a successor of the ancient city of Misionis, is first mentioned under this name in Ottoman chronicles in 1573. It developed into a significant economic and trading hub of the Ottoman Empire, and by the late 18th century, it began hosting the renowned Eski Dzhumaya Fair. Merchants from across Europe, Asia, and Africa attended this fair, which became the most profitable event for the local community. Among the lasting remnants of the 19th-century economic boom is the Varosha neighborhood, notable for its impressive buildings and beautiful houses, forming a remarkable architectural ensemble.

After the Liberation, Targovishte became part of the economic, political, and cultural revival of the newly independent Bulgaria. Preserving the positive traditions of the past, the town embraced modernization, Europeanization, and progress. Agriculture, livestock breeding, and craftsmanship remained the primary livelihoods for the population. Although change was gradual, it influenced the character and life in the town and surrounding villages. Banking, credit services, and cooperatives developed steadily, with gradual steps toward industrialization. Private factories were established, and in the last year of the 19th century, Targovishte became a railway station, joining an important railway connecting Sofia and Varna.