site.btaRestored Byala Bridge and Expo Centre Draw Tens of Thousands of Tourists in First Year, Byala Mayor Says

The bridge built by Kolyu Ficheto near Byala and the newly constructed expo centre next to it have become a major attraction for tens of thousands of tourists in the year since their restoration, Byala Mayor Dimitar Slavov said in an interview with BTA’s Martin Penev on Saturday.

The area has changed significantly, Slavov said. "From being in a state of ruin and on the verge of collapse, completely overgrown and impossible to access, the bridge has been given a new lease of life. At night, when the artistic lighting is switched on and the bridge is illuminated, the whole area is transformed. A new cultural product has been created with the help of the Regions in Growth operational programme, which made all this possible," he explained.

He added that the Kolyu Ficheto Bridge and the Usta Kolyu Ficheto Expo Centre attract numerous international tourists, including visitors from Romania, the UK, France, and Poland.

“I read visitors’ reviews expressing gratitude for preserving history and pride in being Bulgarian. This brings me a sense of fulfillment and pride that we have created something valued and chosen by tourists from diverse backgrounds,” Slavov said.

He added that more and more people are familiar with Byala Municipality’s cultural programme.

“Many events are now held in the vicinity of the expo centre and the bridge. We have previously hosted various festivals, including culinary, motorcycle, and folklore events. Earlier this month, there was an international folklore festival featuring young people of Bulgarian descent from Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. Coordinating numerous events demands significant effort from the Byala Municipality team, and I am thankful for their dedication. Together, we have ensured that the bridge unites eras, people, and positive experiences. Furthermore, the restoration of its emblem has made Byala an even more attractive and welcoming destination. Because after the restoration, the Kolyu Ficheto Bridge is enjoying a second life,” Slavov added.

To commemorate the first anniversary of the bridge’s reopening, the Municipality has organized a varied musical program for this evening. Aleksandar Kolev and Torinoto & Pashata will perform on stage. The event will conclude with a concert by singer Dara and a 3D mapping show projected onto the original section of the bridge.

BTA notes that the Kolyu Ficheto Bridge is a symbol of Byala and a national cultural monument. The structure was built more than 150 years ago and is considered an achievement of Bulgarian Revival-era engineering and architecture. Work on the bridge began in 1865 and finished in 1867. It was built by order of Midhat Pasha.

The bridge measures 276 metres in length and nine metres in width. It features 14 arches, each spanning 12 metres and adorned with bas-relief animal motifs. Thirteen piers with cutwaters and relieving arches, along with two abutments, provide structural support. Constructed using local limestone blocks and lime mortar, the bridge sustained damage during a flood in 1897, which destroyed eight central arches. Reconstruction in 1922–1923 replaced these with reinforced concrete piers and arches, modifying the bridge’s original design.

A previous assessment determined that the structure's foundations are stable, but the roadway exhibits significant issues, such as cracks and gaps between the stones. When car traffic was rerouted onto the old bridge during repairs on the modern bridge, its condition deteriorated further.

Conservation and restoration activities commenced in 2023 as part of a European project valued at BGN 9.5 million, funded by the Operational Programme "Regions in Growth" 2014–2020. The newly constructed two-storey exhibition centre features contemporary architectural design. It includes a museum dedicated to Kolyu Ficheto and the Byala region, a projection room, an interactive Time Machine experience allowing visitors to explore the beginning of the bridge construction, a restaurant, service areas, and a souvenir shop.