Towns and villages such as Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, Melnik, and Zheravna are proud of their preserved and unique 18th and 19th century Bulgarian architecture. Kolyo Fitcheto is the best-known Bulgarian architect; his churches, bridges and other monumental works are seen throughout Northern Bulgaria. Museum villages such as Koprivshtitsa and Bozhentzi from the National Revival period (the Bulgarian renaissance in the 19th century), have wonderfully preserved and restored houses. Houses feature graceful curved bay windows and ornate wooden ceilings, along with hand painted murals that show influence from the East and from Central Europe. Some villages in Rhodopa and Balkan mountains have narrow cobbled streets and stone homes with slate roofs. Old stone Roman and Turkish bridges and merchant roads are found throughout these areas.
