Velyan's House, Renaissance house museum in Bansko, Bulgaria
Velyan's House is a Renaissance building in Bansko featuring thick defensive walls and large wooden gates that showcase its sturdy construction. The property contains underground storage areas and multiple floors that reflect different aspects of family life.
The building was constructed in 1800 by a wealthy merchant and served the family as both a home and a trading base for many years. Ownership later transferred when a local artist received the property and enhanced it with artistic wall paintings.
The walls inside display painted scenes from Istanbul and Venice that define different rooms. These images tell the story of distant cities that mattered greatly to the wealthy people who lived here.
The house can be reached on foot through the narrow streets of the old town and sits near other historic buildings. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes, as the paths are paved and sometimes steep.
The building connects to a neighboring house through an underground tunnel, revealing the security concerns of wealthy merchants of that time. These hidden passages allowed residents to move between properties without using the street.
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