The Site
Mandritsa is a historic village in the Eastern Rhodopes region, situated in the Haskovo Province of Bulgaria. Located near the Bulgarian-Greek border, it lies along the right bank of the Byala Reka River, approximately nineteen kilometres south of Ivaylovgrad. Established in 1636, the village traces its origins to three Albanian Eastern Orthodox dairy farmers, which is reflected in its name, derived from the Albanian word mandra, meaning "dairy".
Despite its current state of depopulation, with only around seventy permanent residents, Mandritsa retains a remarkable ensemlbe of vernacular architecture. The village is characterised by its distinctive two-story and three-story adobe and brick houses, built in the 19th century in the so-called Bulgarian Revival style. Many of these structures feature elaborately carved wooden ceilings, wrought iron balconies, and colonnades, showcasing a sophisticated blend of local craftsmanship and architectural influences from all over the Balkans. However, while these buildings contribute to the cultural and historical significance of Mandritsa, neither the village nor its structures currently hold formal heritage protection status.
Beside the remarkable vernacular architecture, Mandritsa bears two churches of historical importance. The Sveta Nedelya cemetery church, built in 1708, stands as one of the oldest churches in the Eastern Rhodopes. Additionally, the St. Dimitar Church, constructed in 1835, follows a three-nave pseudo-basilica design, incorporating distinctive Eastern Orthodox decorative elements, particularly in its intricately carved wooden iconostasis. Though partially damaged, ongoing efforts seek to preserve and restore St. Dimitar, contributing to the broader mission of safeguarding Mandritsa’s architectural heritage.
The Training Course
The 2025 European Heritage Training Course on traditional clay and adobe techniques marks a continuation of the collaboration between European Heritage Volunteers and Meshtra – Traditional Knowledge and Crafts Association to document, safeguard, and transmit the knowledge embedded in the region’s earthen architectural heritage.
Meshtra is an organisation dedicated to the preservation and transmission of traditional building techniques throughout Bulgaria. The organisation engages professionals, researchers, craftsmen, and artisans to develop alternative educational formats that integrate theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice. The organisation’s activities span heritage documentation, conservation training, and community engagement, encouraging the revitalisation of rural and historically significant sites. In Mandritsa, Meshtra’s engagement aims not only to safeguard the architectural fabric of the village but also to reinvigorate local heritage, encouraging sustainable development through raising appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.
Following the architectural documentation and survey carried out during a European Heritage Training Course in 2024, which provided a comprehensive inventory of traditional adobe structures in the village, this year’s training course shifts focus on practical conservation interventions. The course highlights the architectural significance of multi-storey adobe buildings with load-bearing walls, a distinctive feature of Mandritsa, while ensuring that local craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and traditional techniques remain at the core of conservation strategies.
The training course will centre on the conservation of one of the village’s authentic three-story adobe houses, estimated to be approximately 130 years old. This building, which stands as one of the last remaining examples of its kind in the village and has remained unoccupied for over two decades, has suffered deterioration due to exposure to the elements. The roof, previously identified as the most critical part of the house, has already been renewed as close to its original design as possible, incorporating traditional materials and construction methods while adding necessary structural reinforcements, such as gutters and downspouts. With this crucial structural component secured, conservation interventions in 2025 will focus on the rebuilding of collapsed sections of adobe walls, the stabilisation and conservation of walls, surfaces, and floors and the reinstallation of original clay flooring.
The participants will engage in a range of hands-on conservation tasks, from surveying and analysing comparable historic adobe houses to understand traditional construction techniques over working with handmade adobe bricks and preparing and testing clay-based mixtures for brickmaking and plastering, to applying traditional lime and clay plasters including traditional renders. Additional interventions will include reinforcing wooden structural elements and reapplying clay flooring, The chosen approach embraces a philosophy of authenticity and slow restoration, ensuring that the building’s historic integrity remains intact.
The training course will be led by Technical Instructors specialised in traditional earthen architecture, providing expert guidance on manual construction techniques, material sustainability, and conservation methodologies.
The educational programme will further enrich the learning experience through theoretical sessions and site visits, offering the participants a comprehensive understanding of earthen vernacular heritage and its broader cultural context. Lectures will explore the historical development of adobe construction, technical aspects of conservation and repair, and the role of vernacular earthen architecture in contemporary sustainable building practices. Additionally, guided excursions will provide insights into other earthen heritage sites in this region of Bulgaria, fostering comparative discussions on regional conservation challenges.
An important part of the educational programme will be the participants’ presentations, creating a space for exchange of heritage-related knowledge and experiences. The participants will share insights from their own countries on earthen architecture and related conservation practices, enabling a cross-cultural dialogue on sustainable building traditions. This interactive format will not only broaden perspectives but also contribute to the ongoing discourse on the preservation and revival of earthen architecture.
The training course aligns with a broader vision for revitalising Mandritsa, ensuring that its historic adobe buildings are preserved as a living heritage rather than lost to neglect. The long-term ambition of this initiative is to establish a cultural hub, where heritage-related events, educational workshops, and community-driven conservation efforts converge to bring new life into this historically, architecturally, and ethnically rich village.
The training course will take place from September 28th to October 11th, 2025, and is jointly organised by Meshtra – Traditional Knowledge and Crafts and European Heritage Volunteers.
