Bozhentsi

The village of Bozhentsi is an Architecture and Ethnographic Reserve, and is located at a distance of about 28 km west of Tryavna along the road to Dryanovo; on foot it may be reached for about 1-1.30 hours from the Sechen Kamuk Hill on the road to Gabrovo) - almost all the buildings in Bozhentzi were created during the 18th and mainly during the 19th century in the Bulgarian Revival style, typical of this region. In Bozhentsi one is taken back into the past and what one finds out is an idyllic place which offers calmness among the spirituality of the old houses. In Bozhentsi there is a museum as well.

Every year in the beginning of September the village hosts an “open-air “Autumn in Bozhentsi”, and from June to September - an exhibition of bazzare items of works of art which is held there. There is high possibility to find accommodation in some of the There is a regular bus transport from Gabrovo and Dryanovo and also from Tryavna. Patterns of ancient architecture are preserved in the near small villages of Skortsi, Dobrevtsi, Kereni, Kissiitsi, Genchevtsi.

In two of the museum houses from 18th and 19th century are exhibited pictures and household items that once were possessed by distinguished families from the village. These families provided financial support for the building of churches, schools and houses.

According to the legend, the village was founded by a boyar named Bojana. She settled in this place with her 9 sons when the Turks conqured Veliko Tarnovo in 1393. The village grew due to an important road,crossing the Balkan Range, which passed through it. The local people were involved in crafts and trade so as to raise some money. They built magnificent Bulgarian houses with high stone fences, hammered gates and workshops. Bozhentsi and its unique atmosphere uncover us the lifestyle of the ordinary people and their rebelious spirit.