The Captain`s House recreates the urban interior that a relatively well-to-do family in Vratza could afford in the beginning of the century.

The Sophronius of Vratza Ethnographic and Revival Complex comprises five buildings with the latest expositions of the Museum of History. They trace the condition, diversity and development of the traditional material and spiritual culture of the people of Vratza from mid-19th to early 20th century when that culture was in its authentic element and European influence was not strong yet.

The main exposition of the complex is housed in the Revival school Ascension. It traces popular culture in Vratza district, its ethnic characteristics, the spirit of the epoch and the most typical livelihood in Vratza, the domestic occupations and the cultural and milieu traditions. A new approach has been taken to the arrangement and exposition of the ethnographic material.

Following history chronologically the first storey of the building traces traditional rural culture in its syncretic entirety and dependence on geographic and natural factors, mutual determination and interrelation. The ethnographic processes and phenomena are given a many-faceted treatment on the basis of the four seasons and the traditional calendar associated with them through original exhibits, archive photos, folkloric reverberations and excerpts from the travel books of Bulgarian and foreign travellers.

The second storey of the building is given to the subject Diko Iliev and Brass Music in Northwest Bulgaria. Personal belongings of the original musician, composer and music master, photos and documents and original audio reveal the great musician`s life work. Urban culture is presented schematically without a claim to tell everything about the subject. Stress is laid on the latest tendencies in its development under the impact of European ways in culture, fashions and urban interior.

The Dimitraki Hadjitoshev museum house was built in 1812. The exposition is ethnographic and historical. On the one hand, it demonstrates the traditional interior of a Vratza house and on the other, it traces the, diverse patriotic activity of the Hadjitoshev family in general and of Dimitraki Hadjitoshev in particular. He Laid the beginning of secular education in the town; he was at the head of the struggle for an independent Bulgarian church that originated in Vratza district; he contacted the Russian command and, drew up plans for the liberation of Northwest Bulgaria from Turkish bondage.

Ivan Zambin`s house is given to three topics: Traditional Viticulture and Wine Making; Traditional Silk Worm Breeding and Silk Fabrics Manufacturing; Traditional Goldsmithery. Those occupations and trades had deep historical roots in Vratza district. The Vratza goldsmithery school and the Vratza silk worm breeding, the first in Bulgaria, made a name during the National Revival period. The fame of the Vratza wines, silk and goldsmithery spread far across the Bulgarian boundaries to London, Saint Louis, Brussels and other cities staging international expositions.

The Church of the Ascension is associated with the Apostle of Freedom Vassil Levski who stayed there in connection with the Vratza committee`s conspiracy. An exposition will be arranged there of icons from Vratza district, church plate and rich printing traditions.

Grigoria Naidenov was one of the most generous donors of the Vratza municipality; during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation in 1878 he fought in the Bulgarian Volunteer Corps. Today his house is the headquarters of the Vratza group of writers and of the editorial offices of “Okolchitsa” literature and art almanac.

Traditional Means of Transport is an exposition in the spacious hall built additionally in the yard of the school Ascension tracing a trade that was modern in late 19th and early 20th century in Vratza, the cabs made in Mito Orozov`s cab factory.

We offer you guided tours through the complex in English, German, French, Bulgarian and Russian languages.

Working time:
Ethnographic and Revival Complex is working through the whole year.
The museum is open for visit: 9.00 – 12.00 h. and 14.00 – 18.00 h.
Day off: Monday

For infromation and contacts:
Bulgaria, Vratza
Tel.: +35992/ 620 220, 624 573