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Regional tourist association Stara Planina 9, Opalchenska Street 5300 Gabrovo, Bulgaria tel./fax: +359 66/ 809 161 tel: +359 66/ 807 137 fax: +359 66/ 806 199 e-mail: office e-mail: info |
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With the financial support of the Swiss government |
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| DRYANOVO - THE TOWN OF MASTER KOLYO FICHETO Tourist information Accommodation The town of Dryanovo (8700 inhabitants, 270 m. altitude) is situated amphitheatrically along the two banks of the Dryanovo River, a tributary to the Yantra River. This is the birthplace of Bulgarian construction genius Nikola Fichev - Master Kolyo Ficheto, 1800-1881. Byzantine chronicles mention the settlement first in 1186, at the end of the Byzantium rule as a castle on the Strazhata plateau. At that time the Assen brothers dynasty lead the Bulgarians for a revolt (1185-1187). The name of today's town comes from the cornel tree /dryan in Bulgarian/ - as sturdy as the mountaineers themselves. In 1430, it is written in some Turkish registries as Diranav. Like all Balkan settlements, Dryanovo reaches its bloom at the time of the Renaissance. In 1883 it is announced a town. Masons and woodcarvers spread the fame of the town throughout Bulgaria and far away in the Turkish Empire. The disobedient population actively takes part in the liberating battles of our people - in the Velcho Plot against the Ottoman Empire, in Rakovski's legion, in the detachments of Stefan Karadzha, Hadji Dimitar and Botev. The detachment of Pop Hariton and Bacho Kiro struggled to death in the besieged Dryanovo Monastery in the tragic and heroic year 1876. During the Russian - Turkish Liberating war 88 warriors from Dryanovo defend our right to be independent. People call Dryanovo "A town of centenarians" for the healthy climatic conditions prolong people's life. The writers Racho Stoyanov and Atanas Smirnov as well as the composer Todor Popov were born here. Nevertheless its modern image, Dryanovo values and preserves the Renaissance spirit of the first architects. The Kolyo Ficheto Museum (tel. 0676/20790), is also known as a museum of Bulgarian Renaissance architecture. It gives honor to the self-taught master - mason who made his birthplace famous with his unique constructions - the bridge near Byala, the fountain at the Sokolski Monastery near Gabrovo, the St. Nicolas church in Dryanovo, the bridge above the Ossam River in Lovech and many others. The Lafchiev House is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture; not one metal nail was used for its construction. The St. Trinity church is attractive with its grandeur carved wooden ceiling. Several houses have been preserved from the old days Dryanovska Merchant Street with interesting renaissance architecture - Ikonomov's house, Afazov's house, Romun's house and Taninov's house. The clock tower in the centre of the town is restored. The Art gallery on Shipka street (tel.: 0676 / 2097), no days off, presents pieces of fine art. To the South-East of Dryanovo (4 km) is the historical St. Archangel Mikhail Dryanovo Monastery (tel. 0676/2389), a symbol of self-sacrifice in the name of freedom. In May 1876, the men from the detachment of Pop Hariton, Teacher Bacho Kiro and Peter Avramov heroically fought with the numerous Ottoman armies. The holy place becomes a castle of the free spirit that can only be overcome by death. Most of the rebels are killed in the battle, the ones who survived are captured and sentenced; the monastery is demolished. After its restoration, the stonewalls are preserved with bullet traces. The chronicle of heroism is alive in a museum collection. It is very interesting for the visitors to see the Bacho Kiro Cave (Dryanovo Cave), which was found in 1890. This is the first cave in Bulgaria that was lighted and modified for visits still in1937. Remains were found of life in pre-historical times. At present, the cave is well laid out and has electricity. It's open all year round, no days off. Near the village of Gostilitsa (10 km away from Dryanovo) unique remains were found from ancient times - a customs and a market of a Roman town Diskoduratera from 2nd Century AC placed on the ancient road from Nove and Nikopolis ad Istrum to Verea. The ruins of Roman, Byzantine and Old Bulgarian castles speak about the rich history of the Dryanovo area and still attract the interest of archaeologists and historians. The surrounding villages Kalomen, Bochukovtsi, Kumanite, Peyna etc., still preserve architectural renaissance image in the style typical for the Balkan mountain where mountain peaks and green forests are the natural set-up. One of the most interesting attractions here undoubtedly is Dryanovo ecopath situated near Dryanovo monastery. The path offers circular route with altitude between 270 and 510 m. It passes trough unique nature spots that show incredible views to the nearest neighborhood. The route is getting over cultural and historical landmarks and representatives of the local flora. The biodiversity in the area is over 200, some of them included in Bulgarian Red Book and in the European list of rare species. ACCOMMODATION |
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7
Stefan Stambolov Str P.O.Box 62 | ||
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© 2003 RTA Stara Planina. All rights reserved. |
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