The Chimney in Dryanovo "Rings of Time" - a unique vertical encyclopedia dedicated to the thousand-year history of the Bulgarian lands and culture
- Stefan Ivanov
- May 5
- 16 min read
Updated: Oct 28
The project "The Chimney in Dryanovo - Rings of Time" represents a monumental transformation of an old industrial infrastructure into a dynamic cultural and historical site.
Located very close to the center of the town of Dryanovo, this 45-meter industrial chimney, owned by "Platex" AD, has been transformed into a unique vertical encyclopedia dedicated to the thousand-year history of the Bulgarian lands and culture.
The transformation – from industrial infrastructure to cultural monument
The main concept of the project, whose idea and overall implementation belong to engineer Vladimir Lafchiyski, is to turn an unnecessary production chimney into a canvas for a large-scale mural.
The artistic performance is the work of Krum Baldjiyski.
The site is structured around five clearly defined historical periods, painted with vivid images across the entire height of the chimney. This act of adaptive redevelopment carries deep symbolism. Industrial chimneys are often perceived as symbols of economic change, pollution, or an abandoned past. The transformation of such a structure into monumental art, praising cultural heritage, represents a strategic act of symbolic redemption. Through it, Dryanovo positions itself in the context of contemporary global trends for the revitalization of urban landscapes through large-scale public art, redirecting public attention from the industrial heritage to the cultural and historical future of the region.
Vertical narrative and chronological inversion
The mural covers a chronological period of about 45,000 years, presented vertically, with the most ancient period located at the base and the most recent at the top.
The topmost time ring, dedicated to the Bulgarian Renaissance, is located 45 meters above the ground.
This architectural design uses the height of the site to create a powerful vertical narrative. The physical positioning of the deepest prehistory – the first homo sapiens, who wrote their history precisely from the Dryanovo region – on the ground floor visually roots Bulgarian identity in the deepest European history. Through this structural approach, the project implicitly suggests that the modern Bulgarian Renaissance and the Third Bulgarian State (represented at the top) are a direct result and logical continuation of the millennial civilizational foundations laid in prehistoric times in these lands.
Dryanovo – geographical and historical context
The success of the "Rings of Time" project is inextricably linked to the strategic geographical location and exceptional prehistoric significance of Dryanovo.
Geographical and strategic positioning
The municipality of Dryanovo, part of the administrative region of Gabrovo, is located in the central part of the Fore-Balkans. This location places it at the center of a key cultural and transport triangle in Northern Bulgaria. The city is easily accessible via the main transport links (the railway line "Ruse - Podkova" and the highway "Ruse - Stara Zagora").
From a strategic point of view, Dryanovo is located only about 24 kilometers from the medieval capital Veliko Tarnovo, about 22 kilometers from Gabrovo (known for its ethnographic complexes) and about 17 kilometers from Tryavna (with its Renaissance architectural ensembles). This proximity allows the "Rings of Time" to function not as an isolated site, but as a new, modern cultural point that integrates and enriches the traditional tourist route in the Central Balkan region.
Dryanovo as the Epicenter of Prehistory
The location gains world historical significance through the Bacho Kiro Cave, which is located in the area. Archaeological excavations there have revealed some of the oldest traces of life on the Balkan Peninsula. This cave was home to the first Modern Man to appear in Europe, and its artifacts are the earliest evidence of Homo sapiens’ ability to create art on the continent.
The project skillfully uses this unique prehistoric asset, integrating it directly into the bottom ring dedicated to the "First Homo Sapiens" (45,000 - 35,000 BC). By depicting seven figures of the first modern man from the Bacho Kiro cave, the national historical narrative is firmly anchored in the local territory. This is not just a common history, but a history that begins in Dryanovo, positioning the municipality as a place of European importance in the field of paleoanthropology.
Stylistic connections and continuity
A stylistic and symbolic element that emphasizes territorial continuity is the double figure of Bacho Kiro. The name Bacho Kiro appears both in connection with the prehistoric cave and as a Bulgarian Revival hero (depicted in the top ring).
This conceptual connection between the first traces of habitation and the struggle for liberation reflects the thesis of the continuity of life and culture of the Bulgarian lands over 45 millennia. The use of the same locally specific figure – whether as a symbol of the ancient habitat or as a hero of national awakening – serves to strengthen local identity and its significance on a national scale.
Architectural art and monumental painting – technique, style and strategy
The reconstruction of the industrial chimney requires a high degree of technical and artistic expertise, which is directly related to the strategic goals of the project.
Technical and artistic specifications
The artistic challenge facing Krum Baldzhiyski is enormous, given the need to paint a cylindrical surface 45 meters high. This requires the application of specific monumental painting techniques that guarantee durability and allow the vivid images to be perceived from a distance.
The mural is conceived not only as a static work of art, but also as a multimedia platform. Plans include bringing ancient events to life through sound and light. Additionally, historical scenes will be presented on explanatory boards, transforming the site into a modern, interactive and didactic educational environment.
The integration of these elements shows that the vision goes beyond traditional public art and aims to create a highly engaging cultural attraction, attracting a younger and more technologically-oriented audience.
Industrial scale and cultural visibility
The choice of a 45-meter chimney as a canvas is strategic. This height guarantees maximum visibility and allows the object to dominate the urban landscape of Dryanovo. The use of scale is directly related to the goal of creating a must-see landmark that will attract the attention of those passing along the main transport arteries. The scale allows the chimney to compete in visibility with traditional monuments (such as fortresses or monasteries), positioning itself as one of the newest and most notable cultural highlights in Northern Bulgaria.
World record candidacy and strategic positioning
The project has a clear ambition for international recognition, being a candidacy for the Guinness Book of Records. The mural has been declared a unique work of art in Bulgaria and is a candidate for a world record due to the way it was painted.
In addition, it has been announced as the largest mural in Europe on a historical theme.
Using a potential world record as a marketing tool is a key strategic move. Such recognition would provide a significant media and tourist effect, attracting not only national, but also international attention to Dryanovo and the entire Bulgarian cultural heritage. This strategy demonstrates how a private initiative (in the person of Eng. Lafchiyski) can use innovative methods to position regional culture on a global level.
The Five "Rings of Time"
The content of the mural represents a carefully selected and interpreted historical narrative that aims to emphasize the civilizational significance and cultural primacy of the Bulgarian lands. The chronological structure is presented from top to bottom (from newest to oldest):
Ring 1 – Revival (1700 – 1900)
The highest ring is dedicated to the Bulgarian Revival.
Thematically, it covers key moments such as the struggle for church independence, revolutionary movements, the formation of bands and the outbreak of uprisings, as well as the role of donations in education.
This ring depicts iconic historical figures and symbols of the era, including the architectural genius Kolyu Ficheto, the educator Maksim Rajkovich, and the local revolutionary Bacho Kiro.
Special emphasis is placed on the connection of the Bulgarian Revival with European intellectual movements – Renaissance, Enlightenment and Freemasonry. This connection aims to position the national awakening as part of a broader European civilizational process.
Ring 2 – Middle Ages (600 – 1400)
This ring is dedicated to the First and Second Bulgarian Kingdoms. Key events depicted include the adoption of Christianity, the creation of the Glagolitic script and its development into Cyrillic, as well as the introduction of worship in the Bulgarian language.
Among the depicted figures are Prince Boris I, his wife Maria and his son Simeon, as well as the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius.
The project emphasizes the role of Prince Boris I in providing its own writing system and the importance of Bulgaria after the first translation of the Christian doctrine.
Ring 3 – Thracian culture (3000 – 10 BC)
The third part of the mural focuses on Thracian culture and statehood (Odrysian Kingdom). The main themes are Orphism as a teaching, philosophy and knowledge, and Thracian writing.
Orpheus and Eurydice, Linus, as well as the ruler Seuthes III are depicted.
The cultural emphasis here is extremely strong: the project claims that the Thracian script, created by Orpheus and Lin, predates the Greek script and has phonetic proximity to the Glagolitic script. This thesis is fundamental to the narrative, as it directly links the Thracian heritage to the emergence of the Cyrillic alphabet. The genetic connection of today’s Bulgarians to the ancient Thracians is further emphasized.
Ring 4 – Varna Culture (6,000–4,000 BC)
This ring descends into the Eneolithic, an era represented by the Varna Culture. The themes are related to the pioneering achievements in these lands: the first processed gold in the world, the first geometry and navigational devices, and the first proto-literacy.
Key artifacts depicted here are the Varna Gold Treasure, the Gradeshnitsa Plate, and the Karanovo Seal.
The main message is that the Varna Gold Treasure is the earliest processed gold, and the discovered written signs precede those in Mesopotamia and Egypt by a full 2,000 years. In this way, the project positions the Bulgarian lands as the homeland of the oldest human civilization, which originated more than 8 millennia ago.
Ring 5 – first homo sapiens (45,000 – 35,000 BC)
The lowest and most ancient ring begins the story 45,000 years in the past.
It is dedicated to the first entry and settlement of Homo sapiens in Europe.
The key location is the Bacho Kiro cave near Dryanovo, where seven figures of the first modern man on the continent were discovered. This period serves as a basis for demonstrating that the artifacts from the Bacho Kiro cave are the earliest evidence of the cognitive abilities of Homo sapiens to create art in Europe.
Narrative of priority and civilizational inheritance
Three of the five rings (Homo sapiens, Varna, Thracian) contain direct claims to civilizational primacy: the first modern man, the first gold, and the earliest proto-literacy. A specific line of succession is created in the field of writing. The project explicitly connects the Thracian script, attributed to Orpheus and Lin, with the Glagolitic script, which is the basis of the Cyrillic alphabet. This concept creates a direct, millennial line of development of writing, which aims to emphasize the original, intrinsic ability of the inhabitants of these lands to create and spread culture, challenging traditional historiographic models that emphasize only external influences.
Integration of the site into the regional tourism network
The location of Dryanovo on key transport links facilitates the integration of the chimney as a main point in the regional tourism network. The chimney acts as a cultural pivot, connecting the historical sites in the municipality itself with the cultural triangle of Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo and Tryavna. The long-term sustainability of the project depends on successfully overcoming the technical challenges associated with the maintenance of a 45-meter-high mural exposed to atmospheric influences. The project "The Dryanovo Chimney - Rings of Time" represents an extremely successful example of the fusion of industrial architecture, monumental art and educational historical narrative. It demonstrates how private initiative can create cultural capital that directly contributes to regional development and strengthens the historical identity of the nation.
How to get to the town of Dryanovo?
Dryanovo (spelling until 1945: Drѣnovo) is a town located at the foot of the Stara Planina Mountains, in Central Northern Bulgaria.
It is located in the Gabrovo region, at the crossroads between Northern and Southern Bulgaria, near the cities of Veliko Tarnovo, Tryavna, Gabrovo and Sevlievo.
The town is the administrative center of the Dryanovo municipality.
Dryanovo is located on:
212 kilometers (about 2 hours and 48 minutes by car) from the capital
156 kilometers (about 2 hours and 46 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
244 kilometers (about 2 hours and 57 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
227 kilometers (about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
Dryanovo is located among the beautiful and rounded hills of the Central Fore-Balkans, on both banks of the Dryanovska River, a right tributary of the Yantra River.
The name of the town comes from the dogwood tree, which symbolizes the tenacious and unyielding spirit of the local mountaineers.
The name of the town comes from the dogwood tree, which symbolizes the tenacious and unyielding spirit of the local mountaineers.
On the territory of the municipality is the continuation of the Mikrenski Heights – the rocky limestone plateau of Strazhata, cut through by the bizarre gorges of the Yantra River and the Dryanovska River.
The altitude varies from 180 to 640 meters above sea level. The highest point in the region is Balabana – over 620 meters above sea level.
The city is located on the highway Ruse - Veliko Tarnovo - Gabrovo - Shipka - Stara Zagora. The station is on the main railway artery connecting Northern and Southern Bulgaria - Ruse - Gorna Oryahovitsa - Dabovo - Podkova.
In the Dryanovo region, the oldest traces of life on the Balkan Peninsula were discovered - in the natural landmark Bacho Kiro cave near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael".
Numerous remains of ancient settlements, fortresses, columns with inscriptions and decorations from the time of the Thracians and Romans have also been found.
During the Ottoman rule, Dryanovo managed to preserve the Bulgarian spirit, with Dryanovo's spiritual centers being among the great guardians of the Christian faith and Bulgarian writing, traditions, and culture.
The old monastery school, located in the courtyard of the Bulgarian National Revival church "Holy Trinity" in Dryanovo, dates back to the first half of the 19th century and awaits every visitor to reveal its carefully guarded secrets.
In 1778, a clock tower was built in the center of Dryanovo, which was destroyed twice.
Dryanovo masters and builders were extremely prominent and worked in various parts of the empire, and even beyond its borders. This gives grounds to speak of a Dryanovo building school.
Undoubtedly, even today, the most famous Dryanovec and prominent representative of the school is Nikola Fichev, better known as Master Kolyu Ficheto.
The city's Historical Museum presents in an extremely interesting and impressive way the work of the most eminent Dryanovo resident and Bulgarian Renaissance builder through the exciting and inspiring exhibition "Kolyu Ficheto - Life and Creativity" - a unique visual spectacle about the self-taught intuitive Renaissance genius.
In his native Dryanovo, master Kolyu Ficheto built several houses - Hadzhigencheva, Hadzhistaneva and Ikonomovova.
Today, the Iconomov House is an architectural and construction monument of culture of national importance, which you can visit.
In his native Dryanovo in 1951, master Nikola Fichev built the church "St. Nicholas".
Today the temple is an architectural, construction and artistic monument of culture of national importance, which you can visit.
In Dryanovo, the master builder also built the stone bridge over the Dryanovo River, which is located in the southwestern part of the city in the Boyuv Dam neighborhood.
The bridge connects "Dosyo Stoynov" and "Pop Khariton" streets and you can also cross it today.
How do I get to the Holy Trinity Church?
The Bulgarian National Revival Church "Holy Trinity" is located in the city center on "3-ti Mart" Street. The church is located next to the Historical Museum - Dryanovo, and the monument to the First Master is between them.
Right next to the entrance to the monastery school itself, there is a small street where you can safely leave your car.
6 kilometers southwest of the town of Dryanovo (about 8 minutes by car) is the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" - a popular cultural center, educational center and hearth of a patriotic and freedom-loving spirit.
How to get to the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael"?
Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" is located in Northern Bulgaria, about 5 kilometers southwest of the town of Dryanovo and about 15 kilometers northeast of the town of Gabrovo.
A good asphalt road leads to it.
It is served by the "Bacho Kiro" railway station, which until October 20, 1949 was named "Saint Archangel", on the "Ruse-Momchilgrad" railway line. The railway station is located about a kilometer from the monastery.
You can leave your car by the road leading to the monastery, where no parking fee is required.
Near the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael", as well as directly in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the monastery, parking is paid.
What can you see in the area of the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael"?
After visiting the Dryanovo Monastery "St. Archangel Michael" and the rich exposition of the Historical Museum - Dryanovo, pass the church "St. Archangel Michael" and head to the small and narrow door in the back of the monastery.
Coming out of it, climb onto the bridge built over the waters of the Dryanovska River.
There is a narrow path starting to the left of the bridge and winding along the river. At a normal pace, in between 5 and 10 minutes you will find yourself in front of the Sini Vir waterfall.
After enjoying the Sini Vir waterfall, you can continue towards the Andaka River canyon, the natural landmark Bacho Kiro cave and the Dryanovo eco-trail.
For this purpose, you need to return to the starting point of the trail. A few meters from this place, the waters of the Andaka River flow into the Dryanovska River, and across the way you will see a second bridge, which is called "Lovers' Bridge".
Dozens of locked padlocks hang on the railings of the bridge, inscribed with the names of the lovers who hung them here.
Walk along it, passing the restaurant. You will find yourself on the path leading towards the canyon of the Andaka River, the natural landmark Bacho Kiro Cave and the Dryanovo Eco-Trail.
The Andaka River is a small river in the Pre-Balkans, a left tributary of the Dryanovo River.
The gorge that the Andaka River forms in the area of the limestone plateau Strazhata from the Andaka Cave to the place where its waters flow into the Dryanovska River, although small in size, is fabulously beautiful. The river is dotted with numerous wonderful waterfalls, which, especially in spring, are extremely beautiful and full of water.
The path winding along the river will take you to Bacho Kiro Cave - a natural landmark and an architectural and construction monument of culture from Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
The natural landmark Bacho Kiro Cave is a complex four-story labyrinth of cave galleries and branches with a total area of about 3,600 square meters, which makes it one of the largest caves in Bulgaria.
The beautiful Dryanovo Eco-Trail starts from the entrance to the cave.
The Dryanovska eco-trail winds along the Boruna rock ridge and leads to the Bench of Love, from where a magnificent panorama of the picturesque canyon of the Dryanovska River opens.
What you can visit nearby?
Just 21 kilometers south of the town of Dryanovo (about 25 minutes by car) is the town of Gabrovo. In Gabrovo, you must visit the Architectural and Ethnographic Complex and Open-Air Museum "Etar".
Just 16 kilometers from the city of Gabrovo (about 26 minutes by car) you will find the charming jewel of Bozhentsi, which you should definitely visit.
Just 22 kilometers east of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is beautiful Tryavna, which I definitely recommend you visit.
About 23 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 34 minutes by car) is the Freedom Monument, known as the Shipka Monument.
About 48 kilometers south of the city of Gabrovo (about 58 minutes by car) is the city of Kazanlak.
In Kazanlak you can visit the Rose Museum.
After you have viewed the rich exhibition of the museum, I suggest you take a relaxing walk through the wonderful alleys of the Rosarium Park in the town of Kazanlak.
In the town of Kazanlak, I suggest you also visit the church of St. Elijah, also known as the Kulenska Church.
Just 5 kilometers south of the town of Kazanlak (about 8 minutes by car) is the village of Buzovgrad, where the wonderful adventure of the "Path through the Ages" eco-trail begins.
You shouldn't miss it for anything in the world!
48 kilometers east of Kazanlak (about 40 minutes by car) you will find the Zhrebchevo Dam. The ruins of the submerged church of St. Ivan Rilski still stand near the dam.
23 kilometers west of Kazanlak (about 25 minutes by car) you will find the town of Pavel Banya.
3 kilometers east of Pavel Banya (about 5 minutes by car) you will find the village of Viden. Near the village still stand the ruins of the wonderful church of St. Anastasius.
4 kilometers south of Pavel Banya (about 7 minutes by car) is the village of Turia.
Here you can visit the birthplace of Chudomir.
On the square in front of Chudomir's house you can see a monument to the Chetnik Tsanko Minkov Dechev - Komitata, who was born in Turia Botev.
In Turia you can enjoy an authentic Roman bridge called "Skoca".
8 kilometers from Turia (about 9 minutes by car) you can enjoy the natural landmark "Kichest Gabbar".
Very close to "Kichest Gabar" you can explore Kutela.
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