The regional open-air ethnographic museum “Eter” in Gabrovo was opened in 1964 on the idea of Lazar Donkov. Its task is to search for, research, preserve and popularize the architecture, lifestyle, livelihood and culture of the Balkan people from the Renaissance period to the present day in the Central Stara Planina region. The harsh climate, infertile and insufficient arable land do not contribute to the development of agriculture.
But the lush meadows, abundant water and centuries-old forests are a prerequisite for raising livestock and handicrafts. The practicality of the Balkan people, their ingenuity and hard work are the basis of the economic rise of the settlements in Stara Planina. The wealth of the people increases the need for education, culture and independence – religious and political. Awake in spirit and with a sense for the new, the Balkans steadily developed the crafts, laying the foundations of industry in a free Bulgaria.
The life of the mountaineers, their workdays and holidays are the subject of the exposition in the “Eter” museum, where several thematic sectors are distinguished:
The collection of operational facilities powered by water power – the only one in Bulgaria – is located on the right bank of the Sivek River. It includes two mills, different in the way they are driven, a threshing mill, two rolling mills, a milking mill, a Gaitanjii chamber, two lathes – for gavankas and baklikis, and a grinder.
The “Craft Bazaar” ensemble presents a main city street from the 18th-19th centuries with working craft workshops, dwellings above them, a cafe, a commercial shop.
Buildings and objects with public and religious purpose – clock tower, bridges, fountains, church with school, Krastnikkolchov inn, tavern.
The traditional subsistence activities of the Balkans – animal husbandry and fruit growing – are represented by a dairy, a canal smokehouse and a plum dryer.
Here, among the Balkan forests and the babbling of the river, charming Bulgarian houses nestle, and the skillful hands of master craftsmen create beauty. In the museum, which preserves the “spirit of Bulgaria”, the visitor relives the past, learning about the architecture and crafts, the techniques and technologies of the Bulgarians from old times. He is the living link with the Bulgarian roots.
Work time:
Opening hours of Regional Ethnographic Open Air Museum “Eter”
Art Museum
9:00-19:00 (May-September); 09:00-17:00 (October-April)
The museum operates with reduced opening hours on: January 1 12:00-17:00 December 24 9:00-15:30 December 31 9:00-15: 30 p.m.
Museum children’s center
The Museum Children’s Center works from May to September without a day off from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Organized visits to the Museum Children’s Center take place only after prior request.
The museum children’s center is intended for children from 4 to 12 years who are accompanied by a parent or teacher. The safety of children is the responsibility of their attendants. Maximum capacity of the center is 15 children. Groups of more than 10 children receive a gift.
The price of the workshops in the Museum Children’s Center is BGN 2, with the exception of the Pottery workshop, for which the price is BGN 4. The combined ticket at the price of BGN 5 includes participation in the pottery workshop and use of the other modules. It is free for underprivileged children.
Center “Bulgarka”
Summer working hours (April 30, 2018 – September 30, 2018): 10:00 – 18:00 Winter working hours (October 2, 2017 – April 29, 2018): by prior request
Ticket prices:
Entrance fees for Winter opening hours continue to apply in connection with conservation and restoration activities on the grounds of the museum.
March–November:
Adult: BGN 10
Pupil, student: BGN 4
Pensioner – BGN 5
Group with children under 18: BGN 19
Group ticket with game
• For two adults
• Family with children under 18
• Four students: BGN 25
Group of students, students over 20 people – BGN 3
Group of pensioners over 20 people – BGN 4
Child up to 7 years old – free
Disadvantaged person – free
Journalist card holder – free of charge
Subscription card:
Adults: BGN 30. Pupils, students and pensioners: BGN 15. Families with children up to 18 years: BGN 57.
December–February:
Adult: BGN 5.
Pupils, students: BGN 2.
Pensioners – BGN 3.
Families with children up to 18 years: 9 BGN
Group ticket with game
• For two adults
• Family with children up to 18 years old
• Four students: BGN 25.
Group of students, students over 20 people – BGN 1.6
Group of pensioners over 20 people – BGN 2.4 Child up to 7 years – free
Disadvantaged person – free
Journalist card holder – free
Subscription card:
Adults: BGN 30.
Pupils, students and pensioners: BGN 15.
Families with children up to 18 years: BGN 57.
Overview talk:
in Bulgarian language: BGN 10;
in a foreign language: BGN 20;
Thematic talk: in Bulgarian language: BGN 12;
in a foreign language: BGN 20
Contacts:
Regional open-air ethnographic museum “Eter”
Address: Bulgaria, Gabrovo, St. Gen. Derozhinsky No. 144
Phones:
Director +35966 801 830
Tour guide on duty +359 888 401 198
