Cultural journey through time: Visit to the complex of Sophronius Vrachanski in Vratsa

Go on a journey through time and culture by visiting the Ethnographic and Renaissance Complex "Sofroniy Vrachanski" in the heart of Vratsa. This unique complex is a treasure trove of history, art and culture, with a variety of exhibits and buildings that showcase the region's rich heritage.

Upon entering the complex, you will be greeted by the statue of Bishop Sophronius Vrachanski, a prominent figure in the history of Vratsa. The statue, sculpted by Krum Damyanov, is a fitting introduction to the wealth of history and culture that awaits you inside.

Get to know the heritage of Vratsa: Visit to the Renaissance Ethnographic Complex "Sofroniy Vrachanski"

The complex consists of three typical for the region Renaissance architectural buildings and two public buildings from the same period: the church "St. Ascension of the Lord" and the first secular school in Vratsa. One of the highlights of the complex is the Fiakry Museum, which tells the story of Mito Orozov, a local fiakry maker who is an important figure in the history of the region. The museum includes photographs, artifacts and other exhibits that give visitors an insight into the traditional way of life, crafts and rituals of the Vratsa region from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.

Another important building in the complex is the Holy Ascension Church. This historic church has been an important part of the cultural and social life of Vratsa for centuries and played a significant role in the national struggles of the region. The church is the place where the national revolutionary icon Vasil Levski sang religious hymns in 1872 and where the flag of the Vratsa insurgents against Ottoman rule was consecrated. The church is also proud of a valuable collection of icons, including works by the most prominent painters of that time, Zahari and Dimitar Zograf, as well as craftsmen from the Debar school.

The complex was built between 1972 and 1987 and has a variety of exhibits and buildings that show different aspects of the history and culture of Vratsa. One of the first buildings built was the House-Museum of Dimitraki Hadjitoshev, who was one of the most prosperous people in the area at the time. The house is a reconstruction of the interior of a town house from the mid-19th century and highlights the achievements of prominent Vratchans. Another house in the complex, that of the prominent Vratsa benefactor Grigoriy Naydenov, has an exposition presenting the world of the child at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.