Old Crafts
The Bulgarian art of fine crafts developed as a natural continuation of the artistic traditions of the Thracians, old Bulgarians and Slavs. Throughout the centuries talented craftsmen made use of each type of material to create pieces of art and developed the different crafts. The tradition was followed by the craftsmen and enriched in the course of time. Thus nowadays the guests of Bulgaria meet pieces of fine crafts at every turn - magnificent woodcarving works, images on ceramic vessels, beautiful embroideries and colourful carpets.
One can experience the diversity of fine crafts in Bulgaria the best in the regions of the Balkan and the Rhodope Mountains. The small shops and workshops in the mountain villages still preserve the spirit and atmosphere of the Revival Period and present masterpieces of woodcarving, icon-painting, weaving, pottery work, jewels, traditional costumes, carpets.
Embroidery and weaving work
The background of Bulgarian embroidery and richly decorated weaving works is the imitation of the beautiful forms and colours of Nature. In the past the embroideries were mainly used for decoration of festive traditional costumes. The richness of colours in the embroideries and carpets rests on the fantasy of the Bulgarian woman and the sense of aesthetics. Nowadays carpets, blankets and woolen carpets are still made in the old way in the weaving workshops and centres in the East parts of the Balkan Mountains (Kotel, Tchiprovtsi, Panagyurishte) and in the small villages of the Rhodope Mountains.
Pottery
The pottery is most probably the oldest craft on the Bulgarian lands - an evidence of this are numerous findings dated before the period of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The Period of the National revival was a time of prosperity for the pottery as a craft - many mountain villages and small towns developed as centres of the ceramics. In the towns of Troyan, Teteven, Gabrovo nowadays craftsmen still follow the old traditions of making pottery.
Copper-smith works
The decoration of the walls with ceramic and copper vessels was an important component part of the interior of the old Bulgarian houses. This tradition has been partially preserved till present days in some small towns and villages.
Goldsmith works
This handcraft follows the traditions of the Thracian goldsmiths. Masterpieces of the goldsmith art are preserved and displayed in treasuries and museums in Bulgaria and abroad.
Woodcarving
One can see magnificent samples of woodcarving in the old houses from the Revival period in the region of the Balkan Mountains - most of these houses show beautifully carved ceilings. In numerous monasteries and churches the altar-walls are considered true masterpieces of woodcraft.