The emergence of a new type of secular education in the first half of 19th century aroused the necessity to create a new type of school buildings. Similarly to the housing architecture, master builders took in consideration and adhered to the geographical and architectural peculiarities of the region when designing and constructing the schools. A truly genuine architectural solution for a school building was the Secular School of Tryavna. Built from 1836 through 1839, it became part of the Revival period architectural ensemble in the Old Square, along with the Clock Tower, the Church of Saint Archangel Michael and the Hunched Bridge. Taken together these emblematic buildings shape the very core of a religious and educational center.

Tryavna Secular School is a solid stone two-story building with a courtyard (patio) created following the model of Bucharest lyceum. In terms of its concept and performance it reminded a monastery rather than the traditional residential building, which was the prototype of schools in the Revival period. The class rooms and utility rooms were arranged in the inner side of square-shaped building enclosing a vast patio while the external side of the building was intended for craftsman workshops and trade stores. So, all the buildings in the Old Square, although differing in their functional aspects, form one whole architectural unity. 

In the 60-ies of 19th century the original master builder Gencho Kanev created the classical type of a school building. Striving to achieve the best possible functional capacity with impressive looks as well, master builders had tried to depart form the traditionalism by interpreting it through the trends in European architecture. Schools of the type created by Gencho Kanev continued to be built after the Liberation until the 30-ies of 20th century. Genuine samples this new type of school building can be found in the towns of Targovishte, Gabrovo, Elena, Troyan, Tryavna (1886 – 1889), etc.

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