Kovachevitsa is one of the most picturesque and romantic villages in Bulgaria, enchanting with its architecture and atmosphere. Narrow stone streets, old houses with roofs made of stone slabs and high fences create a unique atmosphere, as if frozen in the past. Despite the fact that some of the houses are abandoned and falling into disrepair, many of them are being restored, preserving their original appearance.
The village has been declared an architectural reserve, which has allowed it to avoid the influence of mass tourism and modern buildings. There are only seven guest houses and three small restaurants. Everything else is nature, silence and crystal clear air.
One of the main attractions of Kovachevitsa is the old school, built in 1892 with funds from philanthropist George Dimitrov. After restoration, a museum was opened in the building, and a gallery of modern Bulgarian artists is located on the ground floor. Museum curator Toma Zhuglev says:
"The old school desks, blackboard, and main beams have been preserved. In one of the rooms, a classroom has been recreated with inkwells, old textbooks, maps, and other accessories. There is also an exhibition dedicated to the life of that time, as well as a weaving room with a 200-year-old loom. In addition, the exhibition includes artifacts from the Macedonian-Adrianople revolutionary movement, a collection of ancient weapons, and much more."
The history of Kovachevitsa dates back to the 15th century, when the settlement was first mentioned in Ottoman registers. The founders of the village came from what is now Albanian territory, settling in the lower part, which was called Arnautska mahala. Later, nobles from Tarnovo settled in the upper part of the village, bringing knowledge and culture.
"In 1877, a year after the Batak massacre, the Turks planned to execute the male population of Kovachevitsa, gathering them in the Church of St. Nicholas. However, the residents collected a ransom and saved their fellow villagers," says Toma Zhuglev.
Thanks to its unique history, Kovachevitsa escaped the destruction typical of other Bulgarian villages, and still retains the appearance that was formed more than 200 years ago.