Alongside history and archaeology – which the trip was packed full of – there was some space during our trip to Bulgaria for traditional crafts and textiles. The Bulgarians are very proud of their craft heritage, and most of the museums we visited included a display of traditional home interiors, craft machinery and traditional dress. The largest display of crafts was the ethnographic complex Etara. Etara was built in the 1960s by an ethnographer who sought to revive the traditional crafts of the region when he saw many craftspeople move to neighbouring Gabrovo to work in bigger industry. The complex is centred around a cobbled path lined with craft workshops…
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Bulgaria part 2: From a rural retreat to the historic capital
Following a day of medieval history, archaeological finds and dramatic landscapes we headed to the small village of Gorsko Slivovo, near the Devetaki Plateau. Our accommodation for the next two nights was to be the Bilkarskata Kashta – the ‘Herbalist’s House’ run by hospitable and friendly couple Mariella and Misho. The house lived well up to its name. The large garden was full of plants and flowers, a huge variety of herbs, a plot of tomato plants, grape vines and more. The terrace was decorated with bunches of the dried herbs along with other curios around a wooden roof and a large table. All the rooms had their own…
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Bulgaria part 1: Pre-historic, Roman and Medieval history
The sunflowers that cover the landscape of Bulgaria, a mark of the country’s identity and number one on the ’30 things not to miss’ in the Rough Guide, had come to the end of their season on my recent visit in mid-August. They looked quite sad, crumpled up and heads drooping. However, this only drew my attention to the rest that this country has to offer – much more than just beaches and skiing as many UK tourists associate the country with. Bulgaria has a long and rich history, a distinctive cultural heritage and is full of natural and cultural beauty. Our group was led by the charismatic, knowledgeable and…
