I have visited Koprivshtitsa many times. That is why I believed this picturesque mountain town had nothing new to surprise me with. I expected crowds, souvenir shops and I feared it had sacrificed its authenticity to tourism. But I was wrong.
On my last visit, Koprivshtitsa made me fall in love all over again.
Sunlight bathed the town, highlighting vivid colors. Most houses date from the Bulgarian National Revival of the 19th century and show careful restoration. Yellow, turquoise, ochre, brown, and even pink façades create a feeling of harmony. Overall, Koprivshtitsa looks like a woven carpet at the foot of the Sredna Gora Mountains.
Fifty Shades of Blue in Koprivshtitsa
Blue dominates Koprivshtitsa. It appears on façades, inside homes, and in handmade textiles and traditional fabrics. Architecture here follows the Revival style. Most houses date from the 19th century. Unlike many Bulgarian provincial towns, Koprivshtitsa shows no neglect. You will not see abandoned buildings or crumbling ruins.
Explore the colorful streets of Koprivshtitsa and catch the highlights of the world-famous National Folklore Festival. Subtitles available in English.
The Topolnitsa River runs through the center. It shapes a small park where children play all day long. The alleys stay clean and quiet. Best of all, there are no tourist hordes.
The town also has an impressive number of museums. Most have reopened after recent restoration. Their doors remain wide open to visitors.
1. Koprivshtitsa is а town with an european spirit
The traces of the Orient, with its chaos and its “laissez-aller”, are almost nonexistent there. Unlike other regions of our country. Despite centuries of Ottoman rule that restricted social and religious freedoms, Koprivshtitsa has two magnificent Orthodox churches. The town never had mosques. Ottoman officials prayed in a room inside an administrative building.
Why ? Because the local Bulgarian population was rich, educated and … wayward !!
But what happens when a travel blogger arrives in such a stunning place and, amazed by the surrounding beauty, takes out her camera to take photos, but it turns out. .. she forgot her battery in the charger at home ??? Well, she uses her old smartphone and tries to do her best. With what success – I let you judge for yourselves …
2. A lesson in Bulgarian history
Koprivshtitsa is one of the rare Bulgarian cities to have preserved its authentic architecture from the period before the Liberation of the Ottoman occupation. The reason lies in history. Unlike most Bulgarian towns, rebel Koprivshtitsa escaped destruction during the 1876 uprising against the Ottoman Empire, which later led to Bulgaria’s independence in 1878.
When the Turks invaded the city and threatened to burn it down and destroy its population, the wealthy citizens of Koprivshtitsa collected money and buy the lives of their fellow citizens. Today, we are proud of this typical Bulgarian architectural gem immersed in history.
Before visiting the museums, most visitors stop at the tourist information center. From there you can buy a ticket to the main museums in the city. The fee is 10 BGN (5 euro) for adults and 3 BGN (1.50 euro) for students and retirees.
3. The museums of Koprivshtitsa
A visit to these museums reveals little known facts about the city’s past and its outstanding inhabitants. If you visit the native house of Todor Kableshkov you will learn that the famous Bulgarian revolutionary was extremely educated. French-speaking and graduated from the French Lycée of Constantinople, he was the first Bulgarian to start translating the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”, without however completing it. Unfortunately aged only 25, Todor ends his life immediately after his capture by the Turks.
In the home of the Bulgarian poet Dimcho Debelyanov visitors can see his personal effects – manuscripts, photographs, as well as the portraits of the women of his life. All of them were very beautiful with an air of fatal women. Among the photos – that of his beloved Elena Petrunova. Unfortunately, one morning in June, the 18-year-old girl was shot dead by her own father. The reason ? Her parent suspected her of being in love with the poet. Close to Debelyanov’s house is the Maison Palavéév.
Nowadays, an art gallery is installed here. But it was once the home of one of the city ‘s wealthiest residents. Its owner was
Hadji Nencho Palaveev
This local entrepreneur was considered one of the richest Bulgarians of all time. He developed a large-scale business in Egypt. He grew oranges near the Nile and exported them to the United Kingdom. And when he returned to his hometown, he became involved in charity. This is how he built the school and the city’s water supply system. He erected a monument dedicated to the insurrection against the Turks. Palaveev also financed the repair of the church, etc. At his death he left his considerable fortune to his fellow citizens.
The two churches of Koprivshtitsa
The oldest church dates from 1817. It was built at the place of an ancient temple, burnt down by the Turks. Among its icons are those of the famous Bulgarian artist from the Revival period – Zacharias Zograf. And in the courtyard are the tombstones of Todor Kableshkov, Dimcho Debelyanov, as well as the benefactor of Koprivshtitsa – Hadji Nencho Palaveev. The most fascinating site is Saint Nicholas Church, the so-called “New Church,” which dates back to 1842.
The Saint Nicolas temple
This Orthodox church stands out for its massive structure and unusual façade symbols. Builders combined Turkish motifs with Italian Renaissance and Viennese Baroque elements in the Levantine style. Unlike other Bulgarian churches of the period, Saint Nicholas rises above ground and never sank below street level at Ottoman order. Of an unusual size, the temple could well house a cathedral and accommodate more than 1,000 people. In addition, its facades are of freestone, covered with strange decorations. Hadji Nencho Palaveev is one of the donors to the temple. He is pictured on the left side of the entrance. In the past there was also a school in the church yard, but today it is in ruins.
5. What are plasti and kene?
The Liutov house once belonged to a wealthy merchant who traveled a lot around the world. So when he came back to his hometown he ordered the painters, who decorated his house, to draw the places he visited on the sumptuous ceilings of the rooms. Today, the Liutov House uses its ground floor as a museum. Visitors can see exquisite crochet lace on display there. Locals call these works of art kené.
Koprivshtitsa’s lace is elegant and very solid. For the purpose women used silk thread on horsehair. The locals called this sort of lace “kené”. The town is also known for its carpets. The Liutov Museum presents a collection of authentic 200 years old hand woven carpets .
One of the most current local crafts was the production of wool, or the so-called “plasti”. In the city center, near the historic “The First Rifle” bridge, tourists attend demonstrations. In the past, wool was treated with hot water and soap. You spread a thick layer of wool soaked in soapy water and then roll it until it becomes thick and tightened. And then you can produced all kinds of clothes and rugs with it! This is plasti!
Take a carriage ride around Koprivshtitsa
Why not rent a horse cart or even a donkey cart and tour the city with it? Or go to the picturesque places near Koprivshtitsa. It’s a great idea! You can visit the Voïvodenets region in this way? This is where the National Festival of Popular Arts is held every five years. The surroundings of Koprivshtitsa offer magnificent panoramas. There are charming trails that lead to the heart of the mountain.
Enjoy the cozy hotels and guesthouses, as well as delicious local cuisine
Almost a third of the houses in Koprivshtitsa now operate as family-run hotels. Guest rooms across town provide free Wi-Fi. Most of the hotels have a garden with an outdoor seating area and free private parking, as well as a welcoming restaurant.
We stayed at the Paradise Hotel. And we had a delicious and hearty meal at the April 20 restaurant in the city center.
Residents of Koprivshtitsa complain that the number of tourists in town has recently decreased. The reason would be competition from other tourist destinations. But that can only please those of us who prefer to relax far away from the crowds in search of authentic experiences. And Koprivshtitsa has a lot to offer in this area.
In conclusion:
Koprivchtitsa is a place that Bulgarians love to visit. Its beautiful houses, cobbled streets, fountains and local people give you the feeling of traveling back in timе. It comes as no surprise that the Japanese Association of Travel Agencies ranked Koprivshtitsa among the most beautiful small towns in Europe.
Indeed, it is an exquisite jewel, hidden within the mountain. I intend to return there one of these days. But this time – with a fully charged camera and … a spare battery. Because discovery and sharing of experiences is an integral part of any trip.
