Stone bridge by master Kolyu Ficheto over the Dryanovska River in the town of Dryanovo
- Stefan Ivanov
- Jun 19
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 22
In April 1860, the people of Dryanovo once again wrote a letter to the Tarnovo kaaza vekili (or regional representative of the Bulgarians) - the Revivalist Georgi pop Simeonov, to complain to him that the flooded river had once again washed away the old Payant bridge.
The letter ends:
Later came the Mekeshli Mehmed Aga with Nikola Ficheto
for they wrote and calculated (calculated) how much they would cost with stone and how much money they would spend with wood.
In the autumn of the same year, master Nikola Fichev was again in his native land to take up a third construction project within a decade in his native Dryanovo - he had just completed the construction of the "St. Nicholas" church in 1851, as well as the construction of the Iconomov House in 1859.
The master offers two options - wooden and stone.
In order to solidly solve the problem, the second one was chosen - after all, this was the road to Tryavna, along which the mail was carried, and it was extremely imperative to ensure a reliable transport connection with the settlements in the direction of Tryavna.
The Dryanovski Bridge has the same construction as the Sevlievo stone bridge over the Rositsa River, built by the master in the period 1858 - 1859, but is smaller.
The Dryanovo stone bridge is 38.50 meters long and 5.0 meters wide, with four openings.
There are four arches with openings of different sizes, resting on three massive stone columns.
The second arch is the highest, above which the bridge deck is slightly curved.
The bridge columns have gully tops and arched openings above them to let the water in when the river flows in. The bridge's pavement is large cobblestones, and the sidewalks are slabs that protrude in front of the arch blocks and the parapet to form a cornice and emphasize the curve of the canvas.
The arches are arched with a row of buttresses arranged in the smooth line of their outline. The superstructure of the bridge consists of a cobblestone roadway, flagstone sidewalks, and a hard sandstone parapet.
By overhanging the paving slabs outside the railing, a narrow cornice was formed, beautifully emphasizing the structural feature of the facility.
Withstanding the elements, the oldest bridge in Dryanovo is a sturdy structure, unchanged to this day. In our time, it is protected with the status of an immovable cultural asset of local importance.
And a curious fact – in 1877, during the Russo-Turkish War, Russian artillery led by General Gurko passed over the bridge.
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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