Sarafkina House in Veliko Tarnovo

The Sarafkina house was built in 1861 by Dimo Sarafina (the moneychanger). It is now one of the architectural sights of Veliko Tarnovo, part of the National Revival town. The house was planned to be both home and working place but before completing its construction the owner died and it was inherited by his wife – Anastasia Sarafkata, where the house’s name came from. Because of the naturally steep land the house was built on five levels. The vestibule is the major room of the house. It reaches the last floor through a sheer wooden staircase with decorative folding door and a railing made of wrought iron. The lower floors of the house lead to a broad open terrace – bending over the Yantra River and playing the role of an inner courtyard. As the years passed, the Sarafkina house accommodated a bishop, a place for entertainment, etc., and today is a Cultural Monument, as in 1981 it was granted to the Veliko Tarnovo Regional Museum of History. Nowadays, here the visitors may enjoy expositions of traditional arts, crafts, jewels, clothing, ritual articles, and the fifth floor presents the local photography’s history.

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