MIDDLE AGE TOWERS
Two impressive towers have been preserved in the center of Vratsa which, due to their great historical and architectural value, have been declared cultural monuments of national importance.
The Tower of the Kurtpashovtsi Family

The Tower of the Kurtpashovtsi Family was built in the 17th c. and is located to the South-West of Hristo Botev Square, in front of the building of the Regional Historical Museum of Vratsa.
According to the plan, it is square-shaped, with a side length of 5,90m and a height of 11m. It was built from half-processed stones and freestone, cemented together with plaster, using internal cross-beams. In the lower part the thickness of the wall is 1,50m, whereas at the floors it is 0,90m. The tower had a residential-defensive function. It consists of a basement, ground floor and two floors for living quarters.
The basement is vaulted, and the floors are separated by wooden trimmer joists. The ground floor has an entrance to the north, raised at 2,50m from the ground. To gain entry a wooden staircase was used, which could be retracted in case of danger. The height of the ground floor is 3m and it was designed to be used both as a living area and to serve the purposes of defense.
The second floor is orieled on consoles at four sides. Its height is 2,50m and it is separated from the first floor via double trimmer joists and fillings of plaster and small stones in order to prevent fire. There are 12 “loopholes”, and between the consoles there are openings that were used to dump hot liqids over enemy attackers.
The Tower of the Meschii Family

The Tower of the Meschii Family was built in the 17th c. and is located to the North-West of Hristo Botev Square. It has an almost square-shaped layout with its area being 9,95 х 10,20m and the height of the stone body being 13,40m. It was built from crumbled stones cemented together with a strong plaster solution. The walls’ thickness is 1,80m. The tower had a residential & defensive function. It consists of a ground floor and three floors for living. Initially, the entrance was at the west side at more than 2m height. It was at some point blocked up, and the new entrance was opened at the east side of the tower at the ground level. The floors are separated by trimmer joists and can be accessed through a wooden staircase and on each floor there is a fireplace. The third floor is suited for defense. There are special premises in the corners and in the middle of the walls. Three of them are orieled outwards, borne by consoles, between which there are openings for dumping hot liquids over attacking enemies. The third floor has a domed roof built of carved stones over four vaulted arches. Above it there are two prismatic bodies – an octagonal and a square one with a total height of 3,25m.