Sarafska House Museum, Samokov

Sarafska House was constructed in the 1860s for the Arie family, a prominent Jewish family who settled in Samokov in the late 18th century after arriving from Vienna in 1793. The house reflects the prosperity of the family and the broader economic importance of Samokov during the Ottoman period, when the town was known as a major centre for high-quality iron production. Its architecture follows the Bulgarian National Revival style, featuring spacious rooms, carved wooden ceilings, and richly furnished interiors that demonstrate the craftsmanship and domestic culture of affluent urban households of the time.

Samokov itself developed as an important industrial and trading centre between the 16th and 18th centuries, attracting people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds who lived and worked in close proximity. This diversity is reflected in buildings such as Sarafska House, which illustrates both Jewish heritage and the wider cultural fabric of the town. Today, the house serves as a museum, preserving furnishings and household objects that offer insight into the lifestyle of Samokov’s merchant families and the town’s historical role in regional trade and craftsmanship.

Opening times

Monday	09:00–17:00
Tuesday	09:00–17:00
Wednesday	09:00–17:00
Thursday	09:00–17:00
Friday	09:00–17:00