The House Museum of Neofit Rilski

The Neofit Rilski House Museum was opened in May 1981 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary since the death of Neofit Rilski. The House Museum of Neofit Rilski (1793 – 1881), the founder of secular education in Bulgaria and the first Bulgarian encyclopaedist, is situated next to the Holy Trinity Church in Bansko. The building is also known as Beninata kashta (Benin’s House) and was constructed in the 18th century.
Benin’s House is located in a large yard surrounded by stone walls and a solid wooden gate. The building is a typical representative of the Bansko fortified houses.

The ground floor of the house consists of a hiding place, knead-room and farm premises, while the living-room, the monastery school, and the anteroom are on the second floor. A huge veranda connects the house with the former farm buildings by an outside terrace.

Today an exhibition including chronologically-arranged materials that give account of the life-long work of Neofit Rilski can be seen at the house. A special place among exhibits is given to Bulgarian Grammar compiled in 1835, parts of a Greek-Bulgarian dictionary, and books that belonged to Neofit Rilski.

 

Availability for visits: Paid, all year round, available guide

Transport accessibility: Road and pedestrian zone

Tourist infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, shops, Tourist Information Centre