Ethnographic Museum

The ethnographic museum in the village of Belchin was erected in 2007 as a branch to the Historical Museum of town of Samokov, and is situated in the near proximity of completely restored medieval temple "St. Petka" at the foot of the "St. Spas" hill. In order to achieve its function and to merge with the spirit of the place, the museum building has been planned as a conceptual replica of a house from the town of Koprivshtitsa from the first half of the 19th century (one can come across such houses in the village of Belchin also). The museum exposes collection of belongings with various uses in everyday life. The main purpose of the initiative was to stimulate the development of the cultural-historical tourism in the region via differentiation of a integrated cultural-historical complex in the village of Belchin, consisting of the restored "St. Petka" medieval temple, the ethnographic museum, the late antiquity fortress and the early Christian church on the "Saint Spas" hill. As a result of the archeological research of the whole complex many facts were uncovered, which refer to the history of the village of Belchin from centuries ago. The construction of the museum in the village is also associated with the necessity for archeologists, art experts and other scientists to continue their research activities in the region for disclosure, restoration and promotion of monuments of cultural-historical heritage.

In terms of functions and outlook, the building is a replica of Balkan house of the first half of the 19th century. On the basement floor, which was originally built with walls of heavy stonework marked by horizontal wooden beams in the walls, were once situated premises for animals, food production and food warehouses, as well as for products from the basic livelihood occupation of the family. In the museum building, this level will be devoted to the production activity as a continuation of the exhibition in the open.

In accordance with the tradition, the second floor is in contrast with the basement floor: the lightness of the white walls, the depth of the verandah, the elegant style wooden railings, the observable woodwork on the ceilings and floors are also a characteristic feature of the museum building. In the three main premises of the verandah which is emphasized by the cozy kiosk and the direct single flight staircase, are placed exhibits related to the every day life of the family, clothing, adornments, personal and hunting weapons, and characteristic documents and reading materials.

The roof is of four slopes, pyramid like in shape, covered by one-gutter red roof tiles - exactly of the type that used to create the coziness of the villages nestled in the bosoms of the mountains, or of the dramatic silhouettes of the sub Balkan towns of several decades later.

And something more which is a feature of the traditional town development - the wall of the subterranean floor toward the pedestrian lane is a part of the massive fence of the property, but the oriel on the second floor bends over the lane. This effect contributes to the enhancement of the impression of authenticity and a human dimension.