Zheravna
Zheravna is architectural-ethnographic sanctuary preserved since renaissance times, with more than 150 houses, a ‘cell’ school, cloisters, a church, 8 lovely fountains, many hostels and small craft outlets.
It is situated in an amphitheatre like hollow on the southeast slopes of the East Balkan Mountains and was founded in the 12th century. During the 17th century the village flourished when crafts, stock breeding and trade were developed. This is the period when the pattern of the traditional Zheravna house, built solely of rough carved oak wood with 2 meter deep sun shelters and wooden windows shades, developed.
The exterior of the houses does not necessarily reveal the inner abundance of forms and details; carved wood, wall and door embellishments, window and furniture patterns. Many buildings such as houses, churches,schools, etc. have been preserved and turned into museums. |
Bulgaria 
