in the end of 18 th and the beginning of the 19 th century here was founded the biggest and the most modern art school in the country.Konstantin Fotinov, the founder of the first Bulgarian magazine “Ljuboslovie” (1844) was also born in Samokov. Here was initiated the struggle for independent Bulgarian church. As a result of the decline of crafts at the end of the century the town has lost its economical, cultural and administrative power.