In the past, Samokov was a center of handicraft and art, with notable figures like Zahari, Hristo Dimitrov and Nikola Obrazopisov. City name is a compound word of "samo" and "KOV" or meaning "self" and the root verb "forge hammer" and comes from Samokov, a mechanical forge powered by water, as the town of Samokov was a important iron producing center during the Middle Ages.
The only ski jumping hill in Bulgaria is located in Samokov. It's a pretty small hill, where you can jump up to 45 meters...... more details about Samokov