Museum-towns

Melnik The smallest town in Bulgaria, known for its history and cultural heritage, 18th- to 19th-century architecture, fine wine cellars, and the proximity to Rozhen Monastery with its beautifully carved altar, stained-glass windows, murals and icons.
Bansko Famous with the Bansko Art School – one of the brightest scenes of the Bulgarian culture during the National Revival period, the Holy Trinity Church (1835) with its carved ceilings and murals, and the Bansko-style monastery-like houses with high stone walls
Koprivshtitsa One of Bulgaria’s best-preserved museum-towns, Koprivshtitsa has over 380 historical monuments, part of the Bulgarian cultural heritage – the Assumption of the Holy Virgin (1817) and St Nicolas (1842) churches with precious woodcarvings and icons.
Zheravna The village of Zheravna is an architectural and historical reserve with more than 200 beautiful 17th-century wooden houses. The St Nicolas Church (1832) has a unique collection of icons.
Kotel Famous centre for carpet making, Kotel has over 110 National Revival houses, the first in Europe ‘Philip Kutev’ Secondary Musical School for Folk Singing and Instrumental Music, the Ethnographic museum, the Holy Trinity and the Sts Apostles Peter and Paul churches.
Tryavna One of the most beautiful Bulgarian museum towns, Tryavna is famous with the oldest school of art in Bulgaria – Tryavna Art School, the Clock Tower (1814), the churches St Archangel Michael (1819) and St George (1848), the Museum of the Tryavna School of Icon Painting, many unique house-museums, the Old School (1839), the Ethnographic museum, etc.
Arbanassi A picturesque village, Arbanassi is noted for its unique stone-built houses, the 17th-century churches-museums Birth of Christ, Sts Archangels Michael and Gabriel, St Athanasius, St George and St Demetrius, the monasteries St Nicolas and the Holy Virgin.

Watch our short Museum Towns Impressions virtual sightseeing tour (video clip, 02:45)