An ethnographic collection in the community centre and Roman traces near Gera give Zaya two distinct cultural points of reference. These are joined by traditional village customs and a landscape with views towards the Stara Planina.
Location and Landscape
Zaya lies about four kilometres east of Dryanovo on the main road connecting Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo. The village is situated on high ridges north of the Dryanovska River, with views towards the Stara Planina. Its distance from Dryanovo provides a geographical point of reference, while the ridges and mountain views describe the village’s landscape.
Village Life and Ethnographic Collection
Since 2019, the ethnographic collection “Life in the Bulgarian Village, 19th–20th Centuries” has been housed at the community centre. It is registered with the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria and is visited by children and adults from Bulgaria and abroad. The collection includes more than 180 items donated by residents, with further materials added over time. Registration with the Ministry of Culture gives the collection an institutional standing; the donations from residents also show that its holdings grow through local involvement.
The community centre’s programme includes recurring traditional celebrations such as Zarazan, Christmas, New Year and the Harvest Festival. Larger celebrations feature amateur theatre and other performances. If you would like to plan your stay around a celebration, check the specific event dates in advance.
Roman Traces and Local History
Gera is associated with a Roman road and a road station, which later developed into a small Roman trading settlement. Finds associated with the Roman settlement at Gera include large clay vessels, clay water pipes and Roman coins. The Kaleto fortress is considered part of the defensive system built to protect Tarnovo.
The Otets Paisii School is also part of the village’s history. It opened in 1887; construction began in 1882 and was completed in 1888. In addition to children from Zaya, children from surrounding villages also attended the school. Historical crafts included fulling and stone cutting. Fulling is the process of thickening woollen cloth; stone cutting was another traditional craft practised in Zaya.
Traditional wedding customs tell us more about village life: guests brought specially baked loaves and cooked chickens. In one ritual, the bride sprinkled water containing millet, basil and a coin, then overturned the vessel at the entrance to the house.
Guesthouses in Zaya
Guesthouses listed in Zaya include “Dvata Shtarkela”, “Mehandzhiyska Kashta”, “Zaedno”, “Tibor” and “DAR”. Tibor guesthouse is considered to be close to Dryanovo, Dryanovo Monastery and Bacho Kiro Cave. Check current availability before booking.
Discover more destinations: Zarewa Liwada, Kereka, Gostilitsa, Dryanovo, Elentsite, Manoya, Turkincha, Katrandzhii
For the main travel overview: Dryanovo.
