Museum of folk art crafts and applied arts - the home of crafts in Troyan
Museum of folk art crafts and applied arts - the home of crafts in Troyan
Welcome to the mysterious world of the Museum of Folk Art Crafts and Applied Arts in Troyan - a long-standing fortress of traditions and art! Cross the entrance to the museum and be transported back in time, where the hands of the masters weave the wonderful threads of Bulgarian culture.
Pottery, as the most famous Trojan craft, represents a magnificent combination of past and present. From practical vessels for people's needs to beautiful decorative creations, Trojan potters preserve their traditions and complement the technique with new ideas. Another characteristic craft in the Troyan region is woodworking. Here, wood becomes a natural material that serves to create unique sculptures, carvings and other decorative objects. Craftsmen skillfully shape the tree and enrich it with symbolism and beauty.
Thanks to its crafts, Troyan continues to become the heart of Bulgarian arts and crafts and applied arts. The masters from this city continue to revive the long-standing tradition and preserve the fire of creativity, which deservedly makes it one of the most respected cultural and artistic centers in Bulgaria and the world.
So, take a step back in time and enjoy the richness of Bulgarian tradition and culture at the Museum of Folk Art Crafts and Applied Arts in Troyan. Captivating stories and unique creations will leave you speechless and your heart overflowing with inspiration and admiration.
How to get to the museum?
The museum is located in the center of Troyan. It is located on Vazrazhdane square (just opposite the municipality) and just above the Osam river. I recommend that you park in the large parking lot next to the municipality and walk a hundred meters to the museum.
Troyan is located about 150 km from Sofia, 70 km from Pleven, 100 km from Veliko Tarnovo, 65 km from Gabrovo and about 120 km from Plovdiv. It is most easily accessible from Northern Bulgaria.
How long it takes to look around?
I definitely advise you to spend more time at the museum - at least an hour or two depending on your interests. For me, the museum was a real "find" and the time we spent there (about an hour) was not enough for me at all. There is so much to see and the talk was beyond fascinating and we wanted to soak up every word and every sight here.
What will I be able to see in the museum?
The museum has a total of 10 rooms, the aim of which is to cover as much as possible the crafts that were practiced in this region. Already in the first hall, we are greeted by a model of Troyanska pre-liberation craftsman's street (bazaar), which is so detailed and large that I can't take my eyes off it. Every little figure, every little building and detail makes me admire the craftsmanship and wonder how wonderful this street would look today. Unfortunately, this street was burned down in 1877 and we cannot see it as it is today.
After the bazaar, we enter the next hall, which takes us to the Revival Pottery. It features an authentic potter's wheel, along with tools and pottery. Trojan pottery has evolved over the centuries and is preserved today thanks to the devotion and skill of the master potters. Traditions in the making of ceramics are kept alive, and handmade products continue to be valued both in Bulgaria and abroad. In the collection you will find a large number of pitchers, mugs, glasses, jugs, ocarinas and even a clay cauldron for brewing plum brandy. The vessels stand out with beautiful ornaments, warm colors and interesting drawings.
The next room was created to tell us more about woodworking in these lands. This craft appeared in Troyan after the Renaissance and developed very strongly in the 1930s, when electricity appeared here and lathes were equipped with electric motors. Before that, so-called water turning was used, thanks to the power of the mill and hand bow turning. The oldest craft in this section is Forestry - this is forest carpentry. It is used for making huts, cutting boards and beams, making dowels, chests, iconostasis, etc. You will also see quite a few pictures and tools for woodworking.
A special section is devoted to cooperage, cooperage, cooperage and pyrography. The cooper makes barrels, the cooper makes kegs for brandy and small pavruchets, the cooper makes water bottles, and pyrography decorates wooden objects by burning, most often with motifs from Bulgarian folk art. Pyrography abroad is considered a typical Bulgarian art and craft. In this hall you will also be able to see a specially built authentic corner with a woodworking workshop - its tools, products and setting.
Be sure to also explore the traditional Bulgarian clothing and weaving loom, sections on metalwork, iconography, fine art, vintage items and beautiful exhibitions of local artists.
In case you're already at the exit and missed it, look above your heads to enjoy the incredible craftsmanship of the wooden ceiling in the hall. My eyes stayed there and I fell in love with this craftsmanship.
What are the opening hours of the museum?
The museum is open to visitors every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How much does it cost to visit?
The entrance fee for adults is BGN 5, and children up to 7 years old can visit it for free. For pupils, students and pensioners the entrance fee is BGN 2, and for the disabled it is BGN 1. The family ticket is BGN 10.
You can take advantage of a talk - a short talk is BGN 5, and a long one BGN 10. The conversation in English is BGN 15. The short talk lasted about half an hour and I can tell you from experience that it is very interesting and worthwhile. The long talk is for history and craft lovers and can last over 2 hours.
The museum is wonderful and I recommend you visit it, and for the full experience take a talk. This way, your visit will be memorable and exciting.
Is there anything interesting I should see in the museum??
For me, this museum stands out for two very exciting things that are not unique but are found in very few places. The first is the interesting "Neda" doll, which with its QR codes will help you to experience this museum in a digital environment and allow it to come alive in front of you. In many places in the museum there are codes that, by scanning, will open interesting videos about the crafts in the museum.
The second thing I couldn't miss were the cabinets and the places marked "Feel". We are all used to the attitude in museums, how nothing can be touched and remains somehow distant for us and for the children. With this practice, the craft museum allows us to see and touch this magic. As the old people said "An eye to see, a hand to touch".
Can I buy something as a souvenir from the museum?
The museum has a lovely corner at the entrance with different types of souvenirs - magnets, books, pottery and home decorations. We liked two wonderful ocarinas to create a mood in our everyday life.
Is there a convenient picnic spot or something to eat nearby?
The museum is located in a prime location in the city and gives you the opportunity to eat at interesting places. I recommend the inn "Na DvorAT" nearby, where you can enjoy interesting home-made feasts and the "Royal" cafe-bar and restaurant, which is located directly opposite the museum along the river and has two floors and a wonderful view of the river and the mountains.
When is the best time to visit?
Anytime! The museum is one place where crafts and art come alive. I dare say it was created and maintained with a lot of love and desire which is evident upon visiting. This will help you feel the place closer to you and be inspired by it. I confess that I personally set about engraving a wooden sign a few days after my visit, and I am very happy with the result.
What is interesting nearby?
- Art Gallery "Seryakova House" and the Art Club - this gallery is another place in the city where art comes alive in front of you. Many beautiful paintings, photographs, handmade products await you. You can also visit concerts, book launches and more. In the art club, you can sit down to discuss what you saw and your views over a cup of coffee, beer or grog in a pleasant environment.
- The center of Troyan - the museum is located in the central square and I recommend you to look around. The square is very beautiful and maintained with beautiful flowers, so it's nice to even sit for a while to enjoy it.
- Tourist Information Center - located just across the Osam River and in it you will be able to get acquainted with interesting places to visit, current events for this period and find something to your liking to visit during your stay here.
I want to especially thank our hosts from the municipality of Troyan, regional association Tour Club ReMark and ASTOM (Association of Owners of Tourist Online Media) for this wonderful weekend and the great organization.
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