Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Kolyo Ficheto's bridge in Byala has been restored

Photo: BTA

After years of decay, one of the iconic bridges built by the master craftsman Kolyo Ficheto is ready to welcome tourists again. Its official reopening will take place on August 23.

The Byala Bridge was built over the Yantra River in 1865-1867 on the orders of Midhat Pasha, vali of the Danube Vilayet. Its construction was necessitated by the new road crossing the Yantra River at the town of Byala that connected Ruse, the main town of the Danube Vilayet, with Tsargrad, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.


Polish engineer Lyudmil Rola who was serving under Mithat Pasha requested 3 million groschen in order to build the bridge, whereas Kolyo Ficheto, the most famous master-builder from the Bulgarian Revival Period, agreed to construct it in exchange of 700,000 groschen.


The bridge has now fully regained its authentic appearance. The famous sculptures of a nymph, griffin, lion and swan have been restored. Right next to it is an innovative exhibition centre where visitors can learn about the life of the famous native master craftsman Kolyo Ficheto. Do not miss the second floor, which offers an exceptional view of the bridge and the Yantra River.

Photos: BTA


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The public has a rare opportunity to see the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure at the History Museum in Panagyurishte.

Panagyurishte Gold Treasure – the original – is back in Panagyurishte

From 16 September, the History Museum in Panagyurishte will be hosting the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure. The priceless find will be displayed in the museum’s secure vault hall, where it can be seen until October 23. The treasure will be on..

published on 9/16/25 8:05 AM

It is the Day of the Holy Cross

On September 14, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church bows down before the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified . The Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord or Cross Day is one of the 12 great Christian holidays.  It is one of the four days..

published on 9/14/25 6:05 AM

Bulgaria celebrates the 140th anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia

Today, Bulgaria celebrates the 140th anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The center of the festivities is Plovdiv, where on this day in 1885, after the entry of the Golyamo Konare detachment into the..

published on 9/6/25 10:45 AM