Ivan Zambin's house is a hidden gem located in the heart of Vratsa. It is part of the Sofroniy Vrachanski Renaissance Ethnographic Complex and is a must-see destination for anyone interested in Bulgarian history and culture. The house is dedicated to the life and work of Ivan Zambin, a local hero and diplomat from the beginning of the 19th century, who tried to win over the Russian Emperor Alexander I to the cause of Bulgarian liberation.

The Courage of Ivan Zambin: Putting the Bulgarian Question Before the Great Powers

The story of Ivan Zambin and his mission to Russia is a story of determination and courage. In 1804, dignitaries from the Northwest assigned Zambin, together with Atanas Nekovich, a diplomatic mission to the Russian emperor in St. Petersburg. Initially, the Bulgarian envoys were rejected because they did not have official credentials, and at that time Bulgaria did not exist on the map of Europe. However, Zambin did not give up, and on February 26, 1808, he presented to the Russian Foreign Ministry a "credential" signed by Bishop Sophronius Vrachansky, in which he said that Zambin came "on behalf of all his countrymen", along with "certificates". for the public good.

This diplomatic mission was somewhat ahead of Russia's Eastern political intentions in the first decade of the 19th century, but it also put the "Bulgarian question" before the Great Powers for the first time. This may have added further strength to the belief among Bulgarians of the time that Russia would save them from five centuries of Ottoman rule.

Unfortunately, in October 1808, after a serious illness, Ivan Zambin died in St. Petersburg while still working on his mission. However, his legacy lives on in the house that bears his name and in the history of Vratsa.

The heritage of crafts in Vratsa: Opening of the house museum of Ivan Zambin

The house, built as a replica of the original, is not dedicated to Zambin's life and work, but instead represents the traditional crafts and livelihoods of the region. This is no accident: Ivan Zambin is a descendant of an influential family from Vratsa, involved in the production and trade of silk, jewelry and viticulture. Typical local crafts are presented in three exhibitions: "Goldsmithing", "Traditional and modern horticulture, production of silk and silk fabrics" and "Traditional viticulture and winemaking".

A small collection representing the traditions of goldsmithing in Vratsa is arranged in one of the rooms of the house. The presence of ore deposits and gold-rich sands in the local mountain rivers is one of the key factors for this craft to become a true art in local goldsmiths' workshops.

That's why this is not a place to drop! Visit it and immerse yourself in the history of Vratsa!