Architectural and

ethnographic
complex Etara

made by Nikolai Mehterov

Location and
history
The architectural and ethnographic complex "Etar"
is located 8 km south of the center of Gabrovo.
The only open-air museum in Bulgaria presents the
architecture, economic past, folk techniques and
way of life of the population of the Gabrovo region
during the Bulgarian Revival era. The museum was
opened on September 7, 1964. It was Announcedan
architectural and ethnographic cultural monument of
national importance in 1971.
What's in the
Etara?
On an area of ​25 acres are located over 50 sites - residential
and farm buildings, craft workshops, church, bridges, stone
fountains and more. Here is the only collection of technical
equipment in the country, powered by water: mills, rollers,
tepavitsa, grinder, lathe, lathes and braiding chamber. On the
craft bazaar / shopping street / in "Etar" you can see 16
houses, exact copies of buildings that existed in the past in
Gabrovo and the region.
 what can
you see ?
Only in the museum visitors can watch
how skilled craftsmen make products
from the register of traditional crafts
using authentic technology. In addition,
the guests of the Gabrovo open-air
museum can buy freshly made products
in front of their eyes from the master
potters, woodcarvers, furriers,
coppersmiths, goldsmiths, mutafchis,
confectioners, knife makers, wood
turners, knockers and others.
When can we
visit Etara?
Year-round, paid, overview and thematic guided talks in
Bulgarian, English, Russian and German.
Visitors to AEK "Etar" can also observe reconstructions of
customs on major holidays from the ritual calendar such as
St. Lazarus' Day, St. George's Day / May 6 /, St. Enyovden /
June 24 /, Ilinden / July 20 / and others.
After pre-registration, training courses in traditional crafts are
organized on the territory of the museum.
Transport
security
From the center of Gabrovo start in the direction of the
Shipka pass, at the fork continue straight, leaving the road to
the right. There are signposts. When descending from the
pass, before entering the town of Gabrovo, turn right for the
museum. From the town of Gabrovo to the Etara district
there is a regular bus line №10 and line №1. There is a paid
parking lot in front of the entrance of the complex.
Tourist
infrastructure

There is also a hotel on the territory of AEK Etar - built and furnished in harmony with the spirit of the
open-air ethnographic museum. Visitors to the museum can try traditional dishes prepared according to old
local recipes in one of the two taverns. A visitor information center of the Bulgarka Nature Park has been
built near the museum. There is an opportunity for a walk from the museum on three eco-trails: Etara -
Sokolski Monastery, Etara - Shipka Peak and an eco-trail through the Bulgarka Nature Park.