Museum Architectural Reserve "Bozhentsi"

The Museum of Architectural and Historical Reserve "Bozhentsi" is one of the newest museums in Bulgaria. It was established by an Act of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Gabrovo on March 31, 2016.

According to an ancient legend, the village was founded by a noblewoman from Tarnovo, called Bozhana, who settled in the town after her husband died during the conquering of the capital Turnovo by the Ottoman Turks. Thence came the name of the village. The legend tells how rich people from Tarnovo came with Bozhana and brought along their rich culture and traditions.

The unique architecture of the magnificent two-and three-story houses arouses visitor’s admiration. More than 100 houses in Bozhentsi are preserved according to their original appearance. Several of the houses in Bozhentsi have been transformed into museums-the Baba Rayna House Museum, the Doncho Popa House Museum, the Wax Purifier Workshop, the Mining School, the Old School, the New School.

The museum house of Baba Rayna presents an ethnographic exhibition of the 18th century.

The livelihood of the local people from the 19th century can be seen in the museum house of Doncho Popa.

Visitors can learn more about the history of the village, the reserve and the big families in Bozhentsi in the exhibition called “Only the daredevils and generous donors remain in the history”.

An authentic press for wax cleaning from the beginning of the 19th century is exposed in the Mengemata - a wax cleaning workshop.

Another interesting exhibition is presented in the Monastery school - there visitors can see the typical layout of a classroom of the nineteenth century.

The temple “St. Prophet Elijah ”is also located on the reserve territory. The temple was built in 1839.

A photograph with an authentic village costume is among the attractions offered in Bozhentsi.