History and teachings
Regional Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Etar owns Bulgaria’s single collection of technical facilities using hydropower. The collection was created gradually and features facilities operational today which were put to use by the Balkan Range highlanders for livelihood: two water-mills, a tepavitsa fulling mill, two valyavitsa mills, a saw-mill, a braid-making workshop, two lathes: for wooden gavanka bowls and for wooden flasks, as well as a grindstone.

Thanks to the mill-race system that existed in the past and was later corrected and shaped, water sets in motion mechanisms which wash, grind knives, mill grain, thrash woolen fabrics, turn wooden vessels and knit woolen cord.

Cross-cultural dimensions
The Craftsman Street architectural complex represents a main urban street with buildings from the 19th century featuring active artisan workshops, commercial outlets, a coffee shop and houses of craftsmen and merchants. The complex of houses includes replicas of original architectural samples that existed in Gabrovo and its vicinity.

Sakov House impresses with its many windows on the second floor, because such buildings from the Bulgarian National Revival Era are not common. In the workshops, watched by visitors, artisans make and sell their articles as was the case in the past, while viewers benefit from watching ancient techniques for working metal, animal skins, wood, clay, wool, goat’s hair and other natural raw materials. They can view original craft tools, enjoy the skills of the craftsmen and take home some of their articles.

Useful information:
recommended for all; unique; does not require prior knowledge; accessible;

Close to Gabrovo, accessble by car or organised bus tours. Human resources, assistanceyes. Accessibility (for disabled) , preparedness of the staffyes. Infrastructure, staff, safety measures, languages good infrastructure, safety measures in place, guided tours avaialble in Bulgarian and English