Corridor: Diagonal Road, Eastern Trans-Balkan Road
Country: Bulgaria, Smolyan
Type: Vernacular Architecture
Epoch: Modern Times
Theme: Vernacular Architecture
World Heritage:

Mogilitsa village is located 25 kilometres south of the city of Smolyan in the mysterious Rhodope Mountains. Time has preserved there a unique feudal castle – the Agushevi Konatsi.
The complex Agushevi Konatsi was used as residence of a rich Turkish feudal lord. It consists of three successive inter-connected courtyards, formed by residential and farm buildings. Thus each of the three courtyards is a separate residential unit. In the courtyard are the well, the lord’s dwelling, the dwellings of the house servants, premises for the temporary workers in the farm, the cattle-shed, the barn, the granary and other farm buildings. They were constructed in 19th c. by Bulgarian master builders for Agush Aga and his three sons. An inscription on the entrance of one of the courtyards points the year 1843.
The building or the women is separated with thick inner walls, with spinning cupboards inside to keep women aside from conversations or handling of objects. Thus women were not obliged to be constantly veiled.
A thick wall, with adjoining defence towers encircled the three buildings; thus the Agushevi Konatsi complex resembles a real castle. This feeling gets stronger by the defence tower in the south-east corner of the walls – this is unique for the whole region. The tower was decorated with wall paintings, while for the interior decoration was used pinewood, walnut and cherry wood. The inner walls and eaves are beautifully decorated.
Besides all fortifications, the sparkling white and the paintings of the tower add a fresh and warm palace flavour to the Agushevi Konatsi. The courtyards create a feeling of cosiness with the hanging wide verandas and numerous windows. Two colours dominate everywhere: the sparkling white – of the lime plastered walls and the dark brown – the one of the old beams and gates. Warmth streams from the wood carved ceilings, walls, cupboards and railings in the interior space.

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