Fichev, Nikola

(also Usta Koliu Ficheto). Born 1800 in Drianovo; died 1881 in Veliko Turnovo. Bulgarian architect.

Fichev, who was self-educated, was one of the most outstanding artistic figures of the Bulgarian Renaissance. His buildings, which include the inn of Hadzhi Nikola in Veliko Turnovo (1858–62) and the bridge over the Iantra River at the city of Bia-la, were influenced by Balkan folk architecture. Picturesque and elegant, they blend harmoniously with their surroundings.