Tryavna

Nestled in a river valley on the northern slopes of the Balkan Mountains, Tryavna was a town of craftsmen and guardians of the mountain pass. Under Ottoman rule its inhabitants defended the crossing and received privileges in return. The town became known for a distinctive school of woodcarving, icon painting and construction, with skills passed between generations of local masters.

By the 18th century Tryavna's craftsmen had developed a recognizable artistic style. Their work adorned churches and houses, including the elaborate carved ceilings of the Daskalov house, built in 1808. According to a local story, two master carvers competed to decorate its rooms, each working for six months without seeing the other's design. A clock tower raised in 1814 stood over the town square, another landmark of Tryavna's growing prosperity.