Ethnographic Complex 'Drasova and Rashova Houses'

About

The Drasova and Rashova Houses form one of Lovech’s most charming ethnographic ensembles, preserving the spirit of the Bulgarian National Revival within two beautifully restored homes. Built in the 19th century by wealthy merchant families, they showcase the architectural elegance of the period: stone foundations, wide eaves, carved wooden ceilings, and brightly painted façades that once signaled prosperity and cultural pride. Inside, the complex reveals a vivid portrait of everyday life. The Drasova House is arranged as a traditional urban home, with a welcoming kiosk room used for receiving guests. Its wooden ceiling rosettes and finely crafted cupboards are among the most striking details. The kitchen displays authentic household tools, offering a tactile sense of how families cooked, stored food, and organized domestic routines. The Rashova House focuses more on crafts and trade. Here you’ll find weaving looms, textile samples, and tools used by local artisans. One particularly interesting exhibit is the merchant’s ledger, showing handwritten notes that trace Lovech’s commercial networks during the Revival era. The house also preserves a beautifully decorated bridal room, complete with embroidered garments and ceremonial objects.

Lovech Bulgaria
Ethnographic Complex 'Drasova and Rashova Houses'
Location

The Ethnographic Complex of the Drasova and Rashova Houses sits in the old Varosha quarter of Lovech, Bulgaria, at 16 Hristo Ivanov-Golemia Street. It’s right in the heart of the architectural-historical reserve, where the cobbled lanes and traditional houses still feel like a step back in time. The two neighboring Revival-period homes form a quiet little complex that shows everyday life from the past. Just a short walk away is the Vasil Levski Museum, also nestled in Varosha, and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary stands close by. A few minutes on foot brings you to the famous Covered Bridge that spans the Osam River and connects the old town with the rest of Lovech. Up the hill above the quarter you’ll find the medieval Lovech Fortress, known as Hisarya, with its walls and the tall monument to Vasil Levski. Stratesh City Park is also nearby and offers open views over the town. Everything is close enough that you can wander from the ethnographic houses through the old streets, cross the bridge, and climb up to the fortress in a relaxed half-day without any rush.

Vasil Levski Museum Vasil Levski Museum Museum Old City Bath 'Deli Hamam' Museum Old City Bath 'Deli Hamam' Museum Museum Lovech Art Gallery Lovech Art Gallery Gallery Hisarya Fortress Hisarya Fortress Historical Landmark Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Lovech Cathedral of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Lovech Church Alley "Bash Bunar" Lovech Alley Park