The Sarafska House in Samokov was inhabited by the famous Jewish family Arie, who left Vienna and settled on the Bulgarian lands at the end of the 18th century. The Revival town kept them permanently. Winning the name and authority of influential entrepreneurs on the Balkan Peninsula, who have created business, commercial and financial connections with the European market, the representatives of the family astonish Samokov with the unprecedented construction of houses called "palaces", of which it has remained one of the smallest, bringing awe even today.
It was built in the 60s of the 19th century by Plovdiv builders. Architect is Master Stefan of Edirne – who designed a typical symmetrical city house. Around the main hall, reminiscent of a cube, crowned with a magnificent carved ceiling and uniting the architectonic floors, the office and living quarters are arranged.
Wood carvings in the ceilings and mural decorations are completely authentic, they connect with the flourishing of Samokov art school and are its most representative model. Besides being inhabited by members of the Sarafian family, the house is also used as a bank and a commercial office. The National Monument of Culture is an architectural landmark visited by Bulgarian and foreign tourists - it is managed and maintained by the National Donation Fund "13 centuries Bulgaria", to which it was donated.
Translation Yordan Georgiev - trainee
