The Ikonomova house in the town of Dryanovo, built by master Kolyu Ficheto - an architectural and construction monument of culture of national importance
- Stefan Ivanov
- Jun 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 22
In his native Dryanovo, master Kolyu Ficheto built several houses - Hadzhigencheva, Hadzhistaneva and Ikonomovova.
Of these, only the Ikonomova House has been preserved to this day.
It was built in 1859 for the family of priest Vasil Ikonomov.
True to his principle of building in accordance with the existing architectural or natural setting, the Renaissance master took into account the local construction tradition in the facade design of the building, but the internal layout was purely his own decision.
In the style of the local Revival house, the facade is whitewashed, beautifully articulated by the characteristic arched windows, above which the wide eaves of the tiled roof are inscribed.
The difference is in the symmetrical layout of the plan distribution, obtained from a mirror connection of the traditional distribution of the Dryanovo asymmetrical house.
We also find a Fichev technique in the picturesque southern (courtyard) facade, plastically moved with a triple-bent bay window.
Thus, the master achieves a spatial expression of the double three-center line, a characteristic element in his iconic architecture.
The house is unique in that it is painted on the two solid walls of the glazed bay window. On the eastern wall there is a small painted eagle, and on the western one – a lion. Above them, in a lunette – 1872 – the year of painting. Of the mural, which was erased during repairs to the building, only the lion has been preserved. During the restoration of the house in 1990, the mural was removed and restored.
The building has been adapted for the exhibition of the History Museum – Dryanovo.
The ground floor is used for the presentation of temporary thematic exhibitions.
The permanent exhibition includes the themes: "Murals" and "Iconic wealth from the Dryanovo region".
The Ikonomova house in the town of Dryanovo has been declared an architectural and construction monument of culture of national importance.
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 to get to the Ikonomova House?
The Ikonomova house is located in the central part of Dryanovo at 119 Shipka Street.
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 hotbed 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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