Koprivshtitsa, where the history of free Bulgaria began

Preparations for it went on for a long time, but it so happened that the first shot on the bridge in Koprivshtitsa rang out ahead of the appointed hour, and the revolt began too early.

In suppressing the uprising 30 thousand people were killed and 75 thousand villages were burned down. But the Ottoman authorities did not enjoy their victory for long: in the course of the Russo-Turkish war, Bulgaria was liberated in 1878.

A monument of the Bulgarian revival

The townspeople achieved the impossible: they preserved not only the houses and the little streets, but the very atmosphere of the Bulgarian Revival. Museums are open in the houses of

Lyuben Karavelov, Dimcho Debelyanov, Todor Kableshkov and other famous residents of the town.

Along the cobbled streets you can walk up to the stone bridge where the first representative of Ottoman power was killed; the bridge bears a commemorative plaque. The town has an ossuary monument with the remains of the residents of Koprivshtitsa who died during the uprising, working churches from the early 19th century, and a museum on the site of a school that arose during the Revival.

Koprivshtitsa has captivated many hearts with its beauty: many consider the town the most beautiful in Europe, though not well enough known to the general public. Tourism in Koprivshtitsa is now developing actively: there are plans to make the town a year-round resort.

Useful information

• It is best to walk the cobbled streets in comfortable flat shoes;
• It is advisable to bring warm clothing – strong winds sometimes blow in these parts;
• In summer, a national festival is held every year in the Voyvodenets area near Koprivshtitsa, and it is famous beyond Bulgaria as well;
• In summer (from April through October inclusive) the museums are open from 9.30 to 17.30, without a lunch break. In winter the exhibitions close half an hour earlier;
• Monday and Tuesday are days off, the museums are closed;
• A ticket to each museum costs 4 leva for adults, concession tickets (for students and also pensioners) – 2 lv. You can also buy a combined ticket for visiting 6 house museums – it costs 6 lv (for pensioners and students – 3 leva), and entry is free for people with disabilities;
• For the right to take photographs and shoot video in the museums you will have to pay 5 leva;
• On the grounds of the Archaeological Reserve you can hold a wedding by prior arrangement (preparing and holding it will cost 300 leva).

Rila Monastery

The Tombul Mosque in Bulgaria

To the list of all articles

To the list of Useful articles