Chiprovtsi
Chiprovtsi
The tradition of hand-woven carpet making in Chiprovtsi is on UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014.
The local Bulgarians traditionally belong to the ethnographic group of the Torlaks and they speak a transitional Bulgarian dialect, the Belogradchik dialect. It is a mystery for some Bulgarians coming from far away parts of the country as well. Talking to an old grandma in a Bulgarian village will show you that there are words in our language that you didn’t believe exist.
Chiprovtsi has a History museum that occupies two old-style buildings and features four exhibitions. They present the domestic life from Antiquity through the Middle Ages until today, as well as works of the Chiprovtsi goldsmith and carpet industry.
The tradition of carpet making in Chiprovtsi is on UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014. These are hand-woven carpets made by the local women. Almost each household in the town contains a vertical handloom, which women use to make two-sided carpets traditionally used as floor coverings. The men of the town typically work in wool production, processing and dyeing. Naturally dyed yarn gives soft pastel carpet colors, while chemical dyes produce brighter ones. The finished carpets are famous for their composition, ornamental elements and color. Carpet weaving is deeply integrated into the social and cultural life of the local people.
Location: 130 km/2-hour 10 min drive from Sofia