Home
Sites
Authorities
Collections
1 of 1
<p>The Češitska neighborhood is the oldest in the Rajkovo quarter of Smoljan, with houses built after 1835. This house belonged to a family member and wealthy merchant. Stonework stabilized with wooden banding is used for lower floors, with principal living spaces of wood frame-and-infill construction above, whitewashed with exposed wood trim. Projecting bays add space and windows to the living rooms.</p>
<p>The Angelova kăšta was the homestead of the noted architectural historian Dr. Rašel Angelova who was a central figure in the study of the traditional architecture of Bulgaria. The čardak was a central point for the family life and work within the dwelling. Here the large windows overlook the street and the smaller corner window allows one to view the area outside of the large gated entrance to the courtyard. Early revival dwellings in this region were constructed of timber post and plank construction.</p>
<p>The Kordopoulos residence was constructed in the 1750s by the Greek family to house themselves and their wine business. The complex sits above the ruins of a church dedicated to Sveta Varvara (Saint Barbara) that was destroyed during the Balkan wars at the end of the 19th century. The complex was constructed with two levels formed with stone walls and the upper living spaces enclosed with lighter timber framed walls infilled and covered with plaster.</p>
<p>The dwelling complex is designated as a historic object and currently serves as a museum. The covered area next to the stone wall at the left is a passage that leads to a gateway beyond. The ownership of the house passed from the Kordopoulos family to the Tsintsarov family and so is also known as the Tsintsarovata kăšta. The doubled windows on the upper floor are a feature of Greek Macedonian architecture, seldom found elsewhere in Bulgaria. Under the dwelling are caves and formed ventilated cellars to allow for the proper fermentation and curing of wine.</p>
<p>Arbanasi is a small town near Veliko Tărnovo to the north of the Stara Planina mountains in central Bulgaria. The Konstancalieva kăšta (kashta) was originally constructed in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. The stone ground level contains spaces for the kitchen, storage, cellar, servants quarters, and stable. The street elevation faces slightly west of south and contains two entry gates. The upper level, constructed of wood, contains spaces for receiving guests, cooking, family living and bedrooms. The house currently serves as a museum.</p>
<p>The large reception room in the house is known as the guest room (гостната стая) where guests and merchants were entertained during meetings. The paneled wooden cabinetry was made with a variety of woods and applied with decorative paintings; fixed wooden panels were installed above the projecting shelf. The room has windows on three of the exterior walls. The lower windows are transparent and operable while the upper windows are fixed and made with translucent and colored venetian glass.</p>
<p>The kiosk (къошката) is a room that was used to serve wine or coffee. Such a space is called a krevata in adjacent Macedonian Greece, or a divanhana elsewhere. The doubled windows and use of colored glass are also typical of grand houses in Macedonian Greece and southern Albania. The raised platform, high ceiling, large windows and balustraded railing are reminiscent of the freestanding structures called chardaks in other parts of the Balkans. One enters the raised area by ascending two steps framed by columns that rise to support arched openings that define the sitting area and its ceiling.</p>
<p>The wooden ceiling of the kiosk area was constructed of panels, strips, and frames with a special center ornament. The ornament displays overlapping geometric shapes and stars that are formed through the use of grooves and a variety of colors applied to the wood. Center ceiling ornaments are present in many of the larger dwellings of the Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival periods.</p>
<p>This view shows the wood-framed upper level inside the courtyard; the plank enclosed volume contains the area for washing and personal hygiene. A stone wall forms a large courtyard and the ground level of the dwelling for defense. The dwelling is considered a mountain dwelling similar to those constructed during the feudal period (14th century). This rear area gives access by an open stair to a summer room above. The projecting element above the stair is part of a separate room provided for women about to give birth and during the weeks after.</p><p>(photo 2000)</p>

Bulgaria (BHBA)

Bulgaria, with a long and rich Slavonic history, was notable for its medieval empires; it fell under Ottoman rule in 1396. Although independent after 1878, instability persisted into the 20th century, and after World War II Bulgaria was part of the Soviet block, emerging in 1990 with its first multi-party elections. The principal ethnic group is Bulgarian, with a minority of Turkish, and Roma inhabitants; together they share common historic roots in Thracian, Roman, Slavonic, Ottoman, and Romanian cultures.

The country has pronounced landscapes (the Balkan and Rhodope mountain ranges, the Danube River plain, and the Black Sea coast) that are important factors in the development of the different types of vernacular architecture still found.

Parent Collections
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Terms of use
Contribute
Need help?
About
Home
Sites
Authorities
Collections
Search
Bulgaria (BHBA)

Bulgaria, with a long and rich Slavonic history, was notable for its medieval empires; it fell under Ottoman rule in 1396. Although independent after 1878, instability persisted into the 20th century, and after World War II Bulgaria was part of the Soviet block, emerging in 1990 with its first multi-party elections. The principal ethnic group is Bulgarian, with a minority of Turkish, and Roma inhabitants; together they share common historic roots in Thracian, Roman, Slavonic, Ottoman, and Romanian cultures.

The country has pronounced landscapes (the Balkan and Rhodope mountain ranges, the Danube River plain, and the Black Sea coast) that are important factors in the development of the different types of vernacular architecture still found.

Images & Videos
<p>The Češitska neighborhood is the oldest in the Rajkovo quarter of Smoljan, with houses built after 1835. This house belonged to a family member and wealthy merchant. Stonework stabilized with wooden banding is used for lower floors, with principal living spaces of wood frame-and-infill construction above, whitewashed with exposed wood trim. Projecting bays add space and windows to the living rooms.</p>
Miljon Češiteva kăšta in the Rajkovo quarter, Smolyan, Bulgaria
digital photograph
Bulgaria.jpg
digital graphic
<p>The Angelova kăšta was the homestead of the noted architectural historian Dr. Rašel Angelova who was a central figure in the study of the traditional architecture of Bulgaria. The čardak was a central point for the family life and work within the dwelling. Here the large windows overlook the street and the smaller corner window allows one to view the area outside of the large gated entrance to the courtyard. Early revival dwellings in this region were constructed of timber post and plank construction.</p>
Angelova kăšta, interior of čardak, Koprivštica, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>The Kordopoulos residence was constructed in the 1750s by the Greek family to house themselves and their wine business. The complex sits above the ruins of a church dedicated to Sveta Varvara (Saint Barbara) that was destroyed during the Balkan wars at the end of the 19th century. The complex was constructed with two levels formed with stone walls and the upper living spaces enclosed with lighter timber framed walls infilled and covered with plaster.</p>
Kordopulova kăšta, Melnik, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>The dwelling complex is designated as a historic object and currently serves as a museum. The covered area next to the stone wall at the left is a passage that leads to a gateway beyond. The ownership of the house passed from the Kordopoulos family to the Tsintsarov family and so is also known as the Tsintsarovata kăšta. The doubled windows on the upper floor are a feature of Greek Macedonian architecture, seldom found elsewhere in Bulgaria. Under the dwelling are caves and formed ventilated cellars to allow for the proper fermentation and curing of wine.</p>
Kordopulova kăšta, view at southeast courtyard entry, Melnik, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>Arbanasi is a small town near Veliko Tărnovo to the north of the Stara Planina mountains in central Bulgaria. The Konstancalieva kăšta (kashta) was originally constructed in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. The stone ground level contains spaces for the kitchen, storage, cellar, servants quarters, and stable. The street elevation faces slightly west of south and contains two entry gates. The upper level, constructed of wood, contains spaces for receiving guests, cooking, family living and bedrooms. The house currently serves as a museum.</p>
Konstancalieva kăšta Konstantsaliev house; Arbanasi, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>The large reception room in the house is known as the guest room (гостната стая) where guests and merchants were entertained during meetings. The paneled wooden cabinetry was made with a variety of woods and applied with decorative paintings; fixed wooden panels were installed above the projecting shelf. The room has windows on three of the exterior walls. The lower windows are transparent and operable while the upper windows are fixed and made with translucent and colored venetian glass.</p>
Kordopulova kăšta, windows and cabinetry in reception room, Melnik, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>The kiosk (къошката) is a room that was used to serve wine or coffee. Such a space is called a krevata in adjacent Macedonian Greece, or a divanhana elsewhere. The doubled windows and use of colored glass are also typical of grand houses in Macedonian Greece and southern Albania. The raised platform, high ceiling, large windows and balustraded railing are reminiscent of the freestanding structures called chardaks in other parts of the Balkans. One enters the raised area by ascending two steps framed by columns that rise to support arched openings that define the sitting area and its ceiling.</p>
Kordopulova kăšta, kiosk, Melnik, Bulgaria
digital photograph
<p>The wooden ceiling of the kiosk area was constructed of panels, strips, and frames with a special center ornament. The ornament displays overlapping geometric shapes and stars that are formed through the use of grooves and a variety of colors applied to the wood. Center ceiling ornaments are present in many of the larger dwellings of the Ottoman and Bulgarian Revival periods.</p>
Kordopulova kăšta, wooden ceiling of kiosk, Melnik, Bulgaria
digital photograph
View all 10
Parent Collections
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Bing and Harrington Balkan Archive (BHBA)
Terms of use
Contribute
Need help?
About