Some people call it an attraction, others-a real fairy-tale

      TThe Ethnographic open-air museum "Etar" is the only museum in Bulgaria of Skansen type and it is situated 8 km from Gabrovo, at the foot of the Balkan Range.
      The museum is located on the two banks of the Sivek river on the territory of 7 ha. The following sectors are set up:
      1. Old- time technical equipments, powered by water
      2. Ensemble "Craftsmen's Lane" including 14 architectural samples of the region. As in the times gone by the first floors are occupied by craftsmen's workshops and trades shops and the second floors are designed for various exhibitions.
      3. Buildings of social importance -a church with a small school (under construction), a clock tower, bridges, stone fountains, etc.

HOBBY TOURISM

      The presented 22 active crafts are extremely attractive to the visitors. Everyone can participate in hobby-courses to study the traditional crafts for Gabrovo region.

The training can be conducted under the following conditions:

      » Plaiting with maize leaves (belenitsa):
      The rugs made of maize leaves are part of the traditional artistic textile. Through the years their function is different.
      In the past they were used for coverings in the village houses, today they are used as elements of decoration. Various types of vases, baskets, bags, slippers, mats for serving can be produced out of maize leaves.
      The training is in summer and autumn season for 3-5 days, 3 hours per day.
      Fee: 20 levs per day

      » Dyeing with natural dyes
      The dyeing with natural dyes from plants has been familiar to people since ancient times. The blossoms, leaves and roots of various plants are used for obtaining of the dye substance. The obtained colours can be deep or pastel-like, with faded shades.
      The training is conducted in groups of up to five people and continues three or five days, four hours a day. According to students' wish it can include and knitting of an item-as shawl or glove.
      Fee per day: 20 levs.

      » Icon painting studio
      The training is carried out for 2-3 persons in winter season and continues 10 days. The tuition fee is specified with the master icon-painter. Everyone who wishes to join this course must have the ability to paint.

      » Furriery workshop
      The training is carried out for up to 2 persons in February and March.
      Duration: 10 days, 4 hours a day
      Fee: 50 levs

      » Woodcarving workshop
      The training is carried out from the beginning of January to the end of March.
      Duration: 5 days, up to 4 hours a day
      Fee: 10 levs per hour

      » Workshop for folk musical instruments
      The training is carried out from the beginning of December to the end of March.
      Duration: 10 days, at the price 5 levs per hour plus 5 levs for materials.
      The training includes making of folk musical instruments and lessons in playing the kaval(shepherd's flute), bag-pipe, duduk(wooden flute), wooden whistles, etc.

      » Home weaving
      The training is in winter season (from November to March).
      Duration: 5 days, 4 hours a day
      Fee: 10 levs per hour

      The offers are tendered by the master craftsmen who are tenants at the Ethnographical open-air museum"Etar".
      The masters woolen braids and goat's hair articles are museum employees. They can be engaged in training during the high summer season by the intercession of the "Etar" museum.
      Everyone who wish to participate in the hobby courses can use the facilities of the "Strannopriemnitsa" hotel that is part of the Ethnographic open-air museum"Etar'. The hotel offers prices at the base BB. When a request is placed in advance there's a possibility for HB and FB.

      Everyone who shows an interest in the offers can get detailed information on the telephones:
      tel: 0035966 810 588.