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Phanagoria ethnic complex
The ethnographic village of Phanagoria in Bulgaria�s Black Sea capital Varna welcomes guests from Bulgaria and abroad curious to learn more about the history, culture and livelihood of the Proto-Bulgarians, who settled in these lands more than 1300 years ago.
A clatter
of hoofs, and the sound of iron crushing against iron, hammer blows in
tiny craftsmen�s workshops, mingle with children�s chatter and laughter
in the residential area of Asparuhovo in Varna. One finds oneself
transported immediately into the 6th-8th century A.D., the time when
the Proto-Bulgarians first settled in the lands south of the river
Danube and founded the First Bulgarian Kingdom. The unique open-air
museum is a revival of the life of the forefathers, and is an exact
replica of a military Proto-Bulgarian camp. The settlement is
surrounded by wooden fortifications and turrets, and displaces 8
yurtas, the big cone-shaped wooden constructions used as dwellings by
the Proto-Bulgarians. The yurta of the Khan, the supreme chieftain and
military commander, is the most richly decorated. On the inside it is
ornated with furs, and battle and hunting trophies hang from the walls.
Visitors admire the restored khan�s armour, as well as the List of
Names of Bulgarian Khans, a document that has saved the memory of the
first Bulgarian rulers who reined over one of the most powerful of
European states in the early Middle Ages. Next to the yurta of the Khan
is the Kolobur�s dwelling, the tribe�s high priest, who was the only
mortal to have the privilege to converse with the god of the Sun,
Tangra. What else is there for the visitor to see? Here is more from
the director of the complex Pavel Pavlov:
�Visitors are able to see the genuine crafts� centre at work, where the
principal crafts of the Proto-Bulgarians are represented. The principal
place among those occupy leather and tissue dressing, but of course one
can pay a visit to the pottery workshop, and get acquainted with the
ceramics of the Proto-Bulgarians, an interesting find in itself, and an
important archeological evidence, too. We have created the spitting
image of a two-chamber furnace for annealing the pottery. The guests
can have a look at a typical blacksmith�s and foundry or ironmonger�s
workshop, and attend a demonstration of old technologies for forging
weapons and various household articles.�
While making the tour of the various workshops, the tourists are able
to purchase unique souvenirs related to the daily routine of the
Proto-Bulgarians. The guides also make the tour rich in facts about the
history, daily lives and culture of the ancient Bulgarians.
Says Pavel Pavlov: �The Proto-Bulgarians were famous for being
invincible warriors. Our ethnographic complex offers the unique �Echo
from the centuries� programme. It enables visitors to catch a glimpse
of the basic martial and ordinary life skills. Our stuntmen perform
live demonstrations of skills with all kinds of weapons, swords,
sabres, bows, etc. on horseback. The complex has received nearly 2 500
foreign tourists from the beginning of the summer season. The complex
provides them with a wonderful opportunity to enrich their knowledge of
the history and unique identity of the Bulgarian people.�
Written by Veneta Nikolova
English version by Radostin Zhelev