This calm mountain town from the Bulgarian Revival period has preserved its 19th-century architecture, with over 380 wooden houses and traditional stone bridges.
In the central Bulgarian mountains, Koprivshtitsa's cobblestone streets lead you past brightly painted 19th-century houses with intricate wooden balconies. Step into the Oslekov House to see gold-threaded clothing and copper cooking vessels, or visit the room where Todor Kableshkov wrote his revolutionary declaration in 1876. You'll pass stone wells with decorative iron covers as you explore, and if you time your visit right, you might catch Bulgaria's largest folk music festival, held in the mountain meadows every five years.
Getting to Koprivshtitsa
The town sits 111 kilometers east of Sofia and 90 kilometers north of Plovdiv. Take the train from Sofia for a two-hour journey, followed by a shuttle bus for the final 7 kilometers to town. If you're driving, follow the mountain road through Sredna Gora, which takes about 90 minutes from Sofia.
Bulgarian Revival Architecture
You'll find 383 buildings from the 19th century as you walk through Koprivshtitsa. Look up to see wooden balconies extending over the streets, with geometric patterns carved into ceiling beams. The buildings wear bright blues and yellows on their exterior walls. Most houses place their main living spaces on the second floor, with storage and workshops below. As you explore, push open wooden gates to discover courtyards where grape vines climb stone walls.
House Museums
Six houses welcome visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In the Oslekov House (1853-1856), each room tells a different story: wool working tools fill one space, while copper cooking vessels line another, and clothing with gold thread embroidery hangs in glass cases. Visit the Todor Kableshkov House to see the actual desk where he wrote the 1876 uprising declaration. The Lyutov House reveals a merchant family's life through their private chapel with original icons and formal guest rooms furnished with European pieces.
Mountain Setting and Walking Routes
At 1,030 meters above sea level, Koprivshtitsa spreads across several hills. Climb to the Georgi Benkovski monument for views of red-tiled roofs against mountain ridges. Stone-paved lanes connect the main sights, passing 40 wells built between the 17th and 19th centuries. For longer walks, follow the marked trails through beech forests to Bogdan Peak (1,604 meters), a 3-hour hike one way.
Folk Music Festival
Every five years, 3,000 musicians gather in Koprivshtitsa's mountain meadows for the National Festival of Bulgarian Folklore. Unlike staged performances, this event brings together village musicians playing their local song variations. You'll hear gadulkas (Bulgarian fiddles), kavals (wooden flutes), and regional instruments, while singers demonstrate vocal styles specific to different Bulgarian regions. The next festival is scheduled for August 2025.
