Tour of Historic villages of Middle Mesta Valley in the Pirin Mountains

This excursion is included in the programs of the following field schools and it is covered by the reimbursement payment:

- The Workshop on Vernacular Balkan Architecture: Rhodope Mountains  

The tour takes the participants to the picturesque mountain villages of Delchevo and Kovachevitsa. The villages share the same architectural and historical background as Dolen (Late Middle Ages) and are the best preserved historic settlements in the region. The history of architecture of these villages is connected through the master builders, who were working in the area of river Mesta (Nestum) and their residents. Both Delchevo and Kovachevitsa are important for our practice, as the participants can observe and analyze different social approaches to the preservation of architecture undertaken by each community and their contemporary result. All three villages – Dolen, Delchevo and Kovachevitsa are protected by Bulgaria’s Cultural heritage law, and the expeditions present a good opportunity to learn more about Bulgarian heritage and the impact of the preservation system in Bulgaria.    

The tour/price includes:    

• An English speaking guide & travel assistant;    
  
• Round trip transportation    
  
• All expenses of the guide & travel assistant, entries to museums and the driver   
  
• Travel insurance   
  
• Sightseeing tours of Kovachevitsa, Delchevo and Dolen's architectural heritage and village centers