Quest Bulgaria Property Magazine

If you are looking for originality, style and value for money then Bulgaria offers some fascinating, unique builds worth of a place either on the pages of Architectural Digest or the script of an episode of Grand Designs. The ingenuity of some builds is astounding and not all belong to wealthy Westerners. Whether it’s a property rich in Bulgarian history or a home different to all of the rest, you can find it somewhere in Bulgaria, just take a look at these amazing examples and let them inspire your search for your dream home or your plans to build your own...

Small is beautiful

If finances are tight or you simply fancy a property that stands out from the rest, why not consider building a home from a shipping container? This is no joke; leading UK architects are already constructing larger homes using such materials. Perhaps they stole the idea from this quaint home in the coastal village of Obrochishte. The container has been used to construct the ground floor of this dwelling, which consists of one dining / kitchen area. The upper floor has been built on top using conventional building materials and houses a bedroom and small bathroom.
Obrochishte, lies 15 km southwest of Balchik and 30 km from Varna. It is home to a well-preserved Ottoman fortress and small monastery. The Beautiful Bulgaria project is currently investing money into making this unusual site more of a public monument dating back to the early Ottoman rule. The surrounding countryside consists of rugged hillside, rich forests and a delightful view of the sea.

Life beneath the sails

Obrochishte seems to be home to some distinctive and innovative home builders. This clever dwelling allows you the uniqueness of a permanent life on the ocean waves without the swell of rough seas. This home has been constructed from a wooden sailing ship, which used to dock at Golden Sands harbour. The vessel was used for tourist trips along the Black Sea and when the time came for it to retire, it was snapped up by this clever local man who managed to transport it back to his garden and rest it on a concrete pad. Whilst the ship does not contain a Western standard interior, the full charm of oak beams and panelling coupled with a superb elevated terrace from the deck area make it an unusual and interesting retreat and more to the point far cheaper than constructing a home using conventional building methods.

Windy Miller

How many times have you passed a run-down windmill and wondered if you could convert it into a dream home? Take a drive to the attractive village of Avren, 36km south of Varna, where a talented architect and building team have designed a Revival period windmill from sturdy dark wood cladding. The project is the work of a company called Unique Projects, who create homes for people who looking for stylish and remarkable houses.
The mill has everything an old windmill would display including the old wooden sails. Inside, there is a huge open plan living and dining room on the ground floor and three spacious bedrooms with two fully fitted bathrooms above.
The idyllic location means that the windmill overlooks the scenic, rugged, hilly countryside towards the Balkan Mountains. Avren has an idyllic location bordering the valleys of the Kamchia River, the Provadiiska River and the Avren plateau. It is close to three wonderful lakes, which are ideal for fishing and the hilly surroundings make for some great walks.

A Step Back in Time

If you are looking to experience the real Bulgaria, then this 200-year-old four-bedroom home in historic Veliko Tarnovo is possibly as close as you will get to stepping back to an age where the Turks ruled and rich merchant businesses flourished. This house is located in the city’s old town just below the Archaeological Museum and a 10-minute walk from the famous “Tsaravets Fortress.” Its exact location is on an ancient, cobblestone street off the famous Gurko Street, which has inspired many artists throughout the centuries.

This attractive Renaissance building is full of original character but contains all of the comforts of modern living encompassed within a well cared for timepiece. It is a detached property with four spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms and two airy reception rooms and a manageable garden. The ground floor is decorated with original wooden beams and includes an enormous open plan living area with a beautiful wood-burning fireplace. The hall and landing area are sights to behold with a large gallery window on the roomy upstairs landing. There is no doubt that this home has been renovated to luxurious modern standards whilst preserving its initial character.

Visions of Grandeur

Have you ever dreamed of being lord and lady of the manor? Opportunities like this are few and far between in Bulgaria; however, you may be lucky enough to stumble on something like this run down 1950’s chateau. It is located in a town called Cherven, 50 km from the charming city of Rousse, which lies on the Danube River bordering Romania. Cherven is steeped in ancient history and three Roman-Byzantine fortresses have been found in ruins in the grounds. Its religious significance is reflected in the number of rock monasteries and medieval churches; the church of St. Archangel Michael was one of the largest ecclesiastical and literary centres from this era and it contains some beautifully preserved frescoes. Cherven is also home to an archaeological reserve, which contains the ruins of a castle, a ruined tower, a church and a Boyar palace. The nearby Roussenski Lom Nature Park is one of the few sanctuaries for wild nature in north eastern Bulgaria. It contains a diverse range of plant and animal life including some rare species.

Little is known about the castle or its previous occupants. It has been vacant for several years and has fallen into a poor state of repair. It has 40 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms spread over three spacious floors. Its total size is 549 sq. m and it sits on an enormous plot totalling 4,180 sq. m. Whilst it needs a lot of renovation work it represents and enchanting piece of history.

Pictures courtesy of:
Windmill in Avren http://www.kapitalbg.com/
Revival home in Veliko Tarnovo http:// www.propertydragon.com
Castle in Chevren http://www.estate-pm.com/
Ship and Container Homes: QBG