House-museum "Ivan Vazov" in Sopot
Updated: Aug 30
Vazov was born on July 9, 1850 in the city of Sopot in the old house of his family.
Vazov's house was built sometime in the 18th century by Vazov's great-grandfather.
During the Russo-Turkish war of liberation, the vase house was burned down along with almost the entire city.
In 1920, on the eve of the jubilee celebrations in honor of the 70th anniversary of the poet's birth and 50 years of literary activity, the idea of restoring the birthplace of Ivan Vazov arose among the Sopot friendship in Sofia.
On October 24, 1920, the day of the Vase Jubilee - was created:
"Committee to build a monument and house museum of the folk poet Ivan Vazov in Sopot".
The fund-raising is off to a feverish start. The construction of the house began in 1931.
The project for the restoration of the poet's native home was made by the architect of the Archaeological Museum in Sofia, Alexander Rashenov.
The compositions of the rooms were made under the guidance of the director of the Ethnographic Museum in Sofia and noted comedian Stefan Lazarov Kostov and based on the information of the Vazov brothers and Vala Vazova-Fetvadzhieva.
Vazov's work was also used as a source for the reconstruction of the interior, especially his novel "Under the Yoke".
In 1920, at the request of the artist Georgi Cherkezov, Vazov made a sketch of his father's hearth, which was also used for its restoration.
Panopticon "Barbershop of Hadji Akhil"
Who hasn't heard of the famous barber from the city of Sopot?
The beginning of "Haji Akhil"
Ivan Vazov
In one of the rooms of the house, based on Stefan Kostov's idea, the Ethnographic Museum in Sofia is reconstructing the "Barbershop of Hadji Akhil" with Vazov's unique and unique characters from the story "Hadji Akhil" and his story "Uncle".
This scene, artistically crafted in every detail, will enliven the entire museum and leave a memory in the memory of the visitors, especially the learning youth.
Stefan Lazarov Kostov
The sculptural work is the work of Yordan Kruchmarov.
It was Stefan Kostov - director of the National Ethnographic Museum in Sofia, in his letter to the committee for the "Ivan Vazov" museum in Sopot, he expressed his excellent impression of the successful restoration of the Vazov House and offered:
In order to partially illustrate the then social life in Sopot on the one hand and the work of the folk poet on the other, it is good to arrange a scene of figures in a restored barbershop according to the description in the story "Hadji Akhil" and "Cichovtsi" or the spelling dispute, or the quarrel over the Eastern question.
The mannequins with wax heads - with Turkish fez on their heads, wearing poturis and with emeniyes - represent some vase characters - Hadji Akhila, Hadji Karayaz, Ivancho Iotata, Hadji Smion and Hadji Bosnak - sitting in Turkish style, drinking coffee and sucking chibutsi.
I see the dignified Figaro—apparently in a jovial mood, seizing his Bulgarian, standing opposite the unfortunate long-suffering and with a song in his mouth:
Dimitro, blonde girl,
tell your mother, Dimitro,
not to give birth to another child like you!
"Haji, Haji, soon!"
From "Haji Akhil"
Ivan Vazov
I seem to hear the high-pitched voice of Neno Pintiyata, as Hadji Akhil continues his cheerful song:
When you have a lot of money, draginka,
do you know who I am, draginka!
"Haji!" Hadji! cried the soapy head desperately. "Pour me!"
Hadji Akhil stopped the whistle.
"Wait until I finish the song, it's not long."
- Water it! Water it! I'm dying!
- How much money?
"As much as you want!" Penny and five, fifty, take sixty! Soon!
From "Haji Akhil"
Ivan Vazov
In 1960, the panopticon* was closed. It was rediscovered 40 years later.
*The Panopticon is a museum where wax figures of famous persons or other rare and valuable objects are collected.
In 1964, the "Ivan Vazov" house-museum was declared a cultural monument of national importance.
House-museum "Ivan Vazov" is site number 43 of the 100 national tourist sites of Bulgaria.
How to get to the city of Sopot?
Sopot is a city in Central Bulgaria, Plovdiv region. It is located about 5 kilometers west of the town of Karlovo.
The city is the administrative center of the Sopot municipality.
Sopot is located in the fertile Stremska Dolina at 510 meters above sea level, literally nestled in the incredibly beautiful southern slopes of Stara Planina.
The name of the city comes from the Proto-Slavic word sopot, which means a roaring stream, spring.
Near the town is the starting station of the chair lift to the "Nezabravka" hut, which is the longest in the Balkans.
The Sub-Balkan road* passes through the city, and Sopot is also close to road II-64 Karlovo - Plovdiv.
*Republican road I-6, better known as the Sub-Balkan road, is a first-class road from the Republic road network of Bulgaria with a direction from west to east, crossing the territory of nine districts: Kyustendilska, Pernishka, Sofia region, Sofiaska, Plovdivska, Starozagorska, Sliven, Yambol and Burgas.
Its total length is 508.5 km, which makes it the longest national road in Bulgaria.
Sopot stands at:
134 kilometers (about 2 hours by car) from the capital
65 kilometers (about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car) from the city of Plovdiv
370 kilometers (about 4 hours and 44 minutes by car) from the city of Varna
298 kilometers (about 2 hours and 58 minutes by car) from the city of Burgas
How do you get to the house-museum "Ivan Vazov" in the city of Sopot?
Ivan Vazov House-Museum is located in the city center at 1 Vasil Levski Street.
You will find the "Ivan Vazov" house-museum opposite the Vazov monument in the center of the city of Sopot, erected on the square of the same name.
Internet address of the house-museum "Ivan Vazov":
What can be visited nearby?
In the city of Sopot, you can visit the charming Sopot waterfalls.
The nearest town to Sopot is the town of Karlovo - located 5 kilometers (about 6 minutes by car) in the east.
In Karlovo, I recommend taking a walk to the Ethnographic Complex "Starinno Karlovo".
It includes five houses - monuments of culture with remarkable cultural value. These are:
Each of the houses gives rise to its own unique message, which directs the guest in different directions, provokes desires and memories in him, makes him dream.
The integrity of the architectural ensemble is unique and inimitable, and every visitor could feel that great revival spirit that still roams the narrow cobbled streets of "Old Karlovo".
Ethnographic complex "Old Karlovo" is site number 44b of the 100 national tourist sites.
In Karlovo, I recommend taking a walk to the beautiful Suchurum waterfall.
Only 11 kilometers south of the city of Karlovo (about 12 minutes by car) you will find the city of Banya - a source of health and beauty.
In the city of Banya, you can visit the Royal Palace.
And also to enjoy a charming bath walk while thousands of red roses bloom around.
12 kilometers east of Banya (about 18 minutes by car) is the charming Domlyan Dam, which is a great idea for a walk.
Uniquely beautiful rose bushes bloom in the village of Domlyan, which you can explore.
Just 16 kilometers southeast of the village of Domlyan (about 23 minutes by car) you will find the Svezhen Architectural-Historical Reserve.
In the village of Svezhen, you can visit the church "Holy Apostles Peter and Paul".
You can visit the ruins of the old church "St. George", near which the foundations have been discovered - the remains of cells plastered with mud plaster on the walls, which are supposed to have been inhabited by the scribes-calligraphers of the Adjarian literary school.
Only 24 kilometers south of the town of Karlovo (about 26 minutes by car) you will find the green and peaceful Hisarya.
Hisarya offers its guests diverse and impressive attractions, which I have summarized in the following great itinerary ideas that everyone can benefit from:
40 kilometers east of Karlovo (about 40 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.
The proud ruins of the wonderful church "St. Anastasius" still stand near the village.
4 kilometers south of Pavel Banya (about 7 minutes by car) is the village of Turia.
Here you can see the birthplace of Chudomir.
On the square in front of Chudomir's house, you can see a monument to the Chetnik Tsanko Minkov Dechev, born in Turia Botev - the Committee.
In Turia you can enjoy an authentic Roman bridge "Scocca".
At 8 kilometers from Turia (about 9 minutes by car) you can enjoy the natural landmark "Kitchest Gabor".
Quite close to "Kitchest Gabar" you can see Kutela.
And as a finale, my dear friends,
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