The Lyuben and Petko Karavelov House Complex in Koprivshtitsa is a remarkable historical and ethnographic monument, built by skilled local craftsmen over a span of 25 years. Located at 39 Nencho Palaveev Boulevard, this architectural ensemble opened to the public as a museum on February 3, 1954, and is currently managed by the Directorate of Museums in Koprivshtitsa. Over the decades, dedicated curators including Todor Tumangelov, Donka Kriviralcheva, Keti Tumangelova, Elena Zhelyazkova, and Mariya Karanikolova have worked to preserve this heritage. The complex features three distinct buildings that vividly illustrate the daily lifestyle of a prominent National Revival family and the revolutionary legacy of the Karavelov brothers. The oldest structure within the courtyard is the Winter House, built in 1810 immediately following the final devastating Kardzhali raid on Koprivshtitsa. It houses an ethnographic collection showcasing the authentic 19th-century lifestyle of the town, alongside a museum display dedicated to the life and achievements of the prominent writer and revolutionary Lyuben Karavelov. The most valuable and fascinating artifact on display is Lyuben Karavelov’s original printing press, purchased from the Serbian State Printing House in 1871. This historical machine was used by Karavelov and Hristo Botev to print their revolutionary newspapers, and after the Liberation, it was used to print the Tarnovo Constitution — the very first constitution of Bulgaria. The second building, constructed in 1820, served as an economic facility used for drying and storing traditional Koprivshtitsa meat delicacies like lukanka, pastarma, kavarma, and sausages, in which the father, Stoycho Karavelov, successfully traded. As a curious glimpse into this old family trade, visitors can view a unique wooden trough crafted from pine bark in the courtyard, once used for mixing the sausage meat. The final addition to the complex is the Summer House, featuring a beautiful open veranda (chardak), built in 1835 to accommodate the family during the warmer months. As early as 1935, a modest initial collection of family portraits and photographs was arranged in two of its rooms, initially managed by Nena Karavelova, the wife of Hristo Karavelov.
House-museum „Lyuben and Petko Karavelovi” is located in Sofia Province, Bulgaria.
House-museum „Lyuben and Petko Karavelovi” is most easily reached by car. Use the coordinates above to navigate, or open the location in OpenStreetMap or your preferred maps app for turn-by-turn directions. Public transport options vary by region — for remote destinations a rental car gives the most flexibility.
House-museum „Lyuben and Petko Karavelovi” can be visited year-round. Verify current opening hours directly with the museum before your visit, as schedules change seasonally and on public holidays.
Opening hours and admission fees vary, and most Bulgarian museums close one day per week (commonly Monday). Verify current schedules and prices directly with the museum or the local tourist information office before visiting House-museum „Lyuben and Petko Karavelovi”, especially on public holidays.
