The Ethnographical Museum represents the life and living of the locals during the last two ceturies, specifically in the period of the National Revival of the country in the late 18th century until beginning of the 20th century.
The museum is exhibited in a typical Renaissance house, built by a wealthy local merchant in 1840. It is a two-store house consisting of a stone ground floor and a timber-framed residential second floor occupied by 5 rooms and a spacious central salon with carved wooden ceiling, ornate in the middle by a big star-shaped rosette. A kitchen, a bedroom, both with fireplaces, and a larder are situated to the north. The two bedrooms facing south were used only in summer. Photos and plans inside the salon reveal the town’s splendid architecture, presenting some of the emblematic Nessebar houses, as well as the famous windmills. Records and drawings left by travelers and painters, who visited Nessebar in the 17th – 19th centuries are also exhibited in the museum. In addition, the central salon features some items typical of the urban lifestyle of that time. The south room presents the traditional crafts and means of living of the local population – fishing, viticulture and winemaking. Fishing tackle, nets and weights as well as collection of wine vessels are displayed here.
The bigger north room illustrates some of the authentic rites and customs of the native population, as the interior is arranged as in a typical Greek house. An original icon from 1669 can be seen here that used to adore a home icon-stand. A sewing machine, a wedding dress, a wedding album and some old magazines are also displayed in this room.
The smaller north room is dedicated to the settlers from Macedonia, their history and traditions. A typical interior of the Macedonian and Thracian settlers’ houses is re-created here, featuring the specific small round table (sofra), three-legged stools, woven cloths, rugs, as well as a hand spinning wheel and other tools for spinning, used by women. Traditional folk customs of the settlers are also exhibited, including a collection of forged belt buckles.
