architectural-ethnographic complex etar

"Etara" is a jewel, one-of-the-kind open-air ethnographic museum in Bulgaria. It definitely must be on every tourist's sightseeing radar who is about to explore the Central Balkan Mountain! It is very easily accessible and very close to the centre of Gabrovo. In this unique museum there are about 50 houses, used either for living or for a craftsman workshop, or for both. About 26 crafts, which developed in the area at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th centuries, are represented here. I visit "Etara" almost every year and it is always very interesting to me, and especially my 8 year old son, to see what goods the craftsmen used to produce in those days and very important - how the water was used to facilitate their labour. You can see a water-driven flour-mill and a lumber-mill.There are 2 parking lots - at entrance and at the exit of the complex. You can taste some Bulgarian traditional dishes at the restaurant at the entrance - honestly, I've never tried it but usually I see plenty people there. I prefer the sweet-shop and the one for bagels and buns. I always try the Turkish coffee, prepared in sand. It is nice and relaxingn to take a stroll through the well-maintained complex. It is open from 9 AM till 6 PM (1st May to 30the September) and from 9 AM till 4:30 PM during the rest of the year. The tickets cost 4 leva (about 2 euro) for adults and 2 leva (about 1 euro) for kids. We paid 8 leva (about 4 euro) for a family ticket. They offer guide tours in Russian, English, German and Bulgarian, of course.There are many other interesting places close to Gabrovo. So, you can combine going to "Etara" with a visit to The Sokolski Monastery (about 4 km from there), The Shipka Memorial, The Dryanovo Monastery, etc.

An unique place not only in the area. One of the best Ethnographic Complexes available in Bulgaria. If you want to see how the traditional handmade products are produced one hundred years ago-this is the right place for you. Don't miss the bakery and the Turkish coffee made of sand. I will not recommended only the traditional restaurant next to the entrance - some of the offered food items ware not good prepared and not tasty and the service can be bit better. But in the summer time it is a good place to have an refreshment drink and to taste some Bulgarian grill dishes .

I have been there 4-5 times.really amazing and nice place.I offer to gift from bulgaria.especially mugs is very nice.

Interesting and fun with building from all areas of Bulgaria rebuilt and in use by tradesmen. Good restaurant on site and plenty of parking. Only 10 mins from town centre

Architectural-Ethnographic Complex ETAREtara, Gabrovo, Bulgaria - nice and magical place! This place must be seen!

As a child I grew up loving the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, and thought the whole idea of preserving old buildings and working machines was wonderful - industrial and cultural "archaeology", so to speak.I've been to a few of these sorts of places now but this one is the best I visited, especially if you're into seeing water power machinery in action. All original buildings and gear brought to ETAR to preserve the "culture" and let us see what was once so common.There is an amazing collection of machines here and live demonstrators to go along with most of them in most of the houses / rooms in which the equipment has been set up.Plus, the whole "village" has a lovely village feel, and there is a great restaurant and a separate bakery, and a coffee shop and a sweet shop too!How could you go wrong!!

Chose a sunny day, dust off the camera, stroll a while and watch artisans at work on a range of crafts. A pretty setting with architectural gems spread in a recreated village that follows a stream. Touristy? Yes but very well done and minimal dross and commercial overload to distract from some serious fun.

This place was recommended to me by a Bulgarian friend and i am so glad we visited.Its in a beautiful area of Bulgaria, the entrance fee was very cheap everywhere was really well maintained and clean.You could see craftsmen at work and it was great to see all the tradition ways things use to work. There were plenty of little shops too for traditional souvenirs much better than some of the tat you normally get at tourist destinations. Overall we stayed a good few hours and there was lots to see as well as a nice little restaurant on site.My only complaint would be the toilets, the free ones were traditional holes in the floor but for a european toilet you could sit on you had to pay!

Very attractive place, inexpensive, and the (apparent) use of old-style mechanisms as a resource for traditional craft right in front of your eyes is worth seeing. We caught the place in the rain and it was extremely beautiful. Worked up an appetite walking around and then went straight for the pastries and sweets!

Interesting site with displays of traditional Bulgarian craftsmen at work. Lovely setting in nature with possibilities to pick up a few souvenirs and get a decent bite for lunch in site!

Our party of four adults thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We were extremely impressed at how inexpensive the entry fee was. An eclectic mixture of wonderful old buildings awaited us once inside. Many of the buildings had people making things, a wood turner, a weaver, a bakery and sweetshop among a whole variety of others. You could purchase items if you wished. We never felt in any way pressurised to purchase and most of the artisans working in the place were happy to talk to us about their crafts and had a good grasp of English. While we were very aware that not everything for sale was made on the site we are not talking about items being shipped in from China! I expect many of the items for sale are made locally by people in their own homes or small workshops. The items were very reasonably priced too. Maybe they seem expensive by Bulgarian standards but for good quality artisan made goods they compared favourably with much of the cheap tourist tat found at tourist sites around Bulgaria. I would have loved to buy a rug if I thought I could have squeezed it in the suitcase! I bought some beautifully comfortable sheepskin slippers that are so comfortable they feel more like socks! My daughter bought some lovely filigree silver earrings and we all enjoyed some walnut treats from the sweet shop.The buildings have many things that are powered by water and so there are channels all around the site allowing the water to travel to where it is required. This means you are never far from the refreshing sound of running water and leads to many great photo opportunities My only complaint is that the main "European style" toilets by the restaurant have a charge for use. There are some free toilets but they are the "hole in the ground" type. So the fee was only a few pence but when you are eating at a restaurant I feel use of the toilet should be free. Personally I would rather pay a few extra pence to get in the site and have free toilets once there.

If you wish to see a typical Bulgarian main street with all the water technical equipment, houses with craftsman's workshops, places with social importance, etc of an old town, this is the place! It was built in 1964, but everything is original up to last detail..., as if you are in a time-machine :).Highly recommend, especially for families with children.And do not miss the "Turkish coffee" with " bialo sladko" (apr. 4 BGN) at the cafeteria and "karnache" at the restaurant :)Complex Hotel was not good - at least in 2010. Perfect family-hotels near by. Sokolski Monastery - just 5 km, with rooms also. Been there 150+ times for the last 40 years ...

This is one of my most favourite places on Earth! I am born in Gabrovo, but I have travelled all around Bulgaria, Europe and the USA and still the ETAR is one of my top 10 destinations!It is a great palce to visit any time of the year. Take your time, have a nice walk, visit the museums, the craftsmen, have lunch at the traditional restaurant and don't forget to try the coffee made on sand in the cafeteria.

you have to visit it if you are in Bulgaria!if you like the history of Bulgaria and the traditions of the country, you have to go there!

This skansen is probably the best I have ever seen. There is a number of buildings set in a picturesque forest environment with a babbling brook running through the middle. Most of the buildings have some form of water driven activity such as spinning wheels, milling and so on. The water comes from the hill behind. It appears to be natural flow but I dont think it can be. The buildings are all in magnificent condition and many are photogenically bright. There are several places to buy treats such as delicious pastries. A licensed outdoor restaurant is situated just near the entrance. The food is good and the prices are very reasonable.