the modern settlement of kalofer emerged in the 16th century, managing to preserve its bulgarian character in the ottoman empire and to develop as a centre of craftsmanship, primarily cord production. the kalofer monastery has been in operation since 1640 and the convent since 1700. during the bulgarian national revival the town became a centre of revolutionary activity, being the birthplace of figures such as hristo botev, exarch joseph, dimitar panichkov, nikola ivanov.