Bulgaria Inside

Samovodska Charshia (Samovod marketplace) is situated in the very heart of Veliko Turnovo and still preserves the spirit and traditions of the Bulgarian revival period. The market appeared during the second half of the 19th century when Turnovo started expanding. The town’s small cobblestone streets turned into Turnovo’s center. On Fridays, residents of the nearby villages came to Turnovo to present and sell their production. They started opening small shops and moving their activities to the town.

Today, the ethnographic complex has turned into one of Veliko Turnovo’s biggest tourism landmarks. Samovodska Charshia will take you back in time with its narrow streets and small shops.

Visiting Samovodska Charshia will give you the chance to taste freshly baked buns and to examine the manner in which these are prepared. Craftsmen work in their small shops and will be glad to show you how each individual product is made.

You will find hand-made shirts, rose oil, ceramic souvenirs, wood carvings and replicas of ancient jewelry.

Samovodska Charshia also houses many antiquarian shops and art galleries.

Several nice restaurants will welcome you in the vicinities of Samovodska Charshia. Some of them offer solely traditional Bulgarian dishes.

The complex welcomes visitors year-round from Tuesday to Saturday. The craftsmen shops function from 9 am to 6 pm.