Arbanassi – Austere Beauty!
The village of Arbanassi is situated in a sunny mountainous area, 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo. In 1838 Sultan Suleiman second gave the village to his son-in-law as a present, thus freeing its inhabitants of ruinous taxes and the central government. This enabled them to engage in profitable crafts and trade. Their surviving homes are a witness of their prosperity. The Arbanassi houses, which resemble minor fortress, are a unique phenomenon in the National Revival building tradition. They inspire awe with their austere appearance – high solid walls, heavy gates, iron grids and secret hiding-places. The farm premises are housed in the high ground floor, which is made of stone. An outdoor or indoor staircase leads to an open veranda, which passes into a roofed parlour. The richly decorated interior is amazingly inviting and hospitable. The homes of Konstantsaliev, Hadjililiev, Hadjikostov, Chamurov, Kandilarov and Lechev are most noteworthy.
One of the five preserved churches, the Birth of Christ (17 th c.), is a priceless treasure-trove of Bulgarian National Revival culture. Dug into the ground, the plain-looking church is a genuine art gallery of biblical scenes with over 3.500 strikingly realistic figures, painted by unknown, but indisputably talented artists throughout the ages.
In Arbanassi you can try many traditional Bulgarian dishes and drink your afternoon coffee, enjoying a wonderful views. The village will impress you with its unique Revival atmosphere, which has been preserved, despite the many newly built villas and guest houses.
Arbanassi is a unique and impressive place that is worth visiting! Today Arbanassi is declared an architectural museum reserve and is among the 100 national tourist sites!
What to see
Konstantsalieva House Museum
Konstantsalieva House is one of the most remarkable and representative monuments of residential architecture in the village of Arbanassi. Konstantsalieva House is located in the central part of Arbanassi, near the famous Kokonska fountain. Currently, there is an exposition presenting the life of the inhabitants of Arbanassi from the XIX century.
Church of St. Athanasius
The church “St. Athanasius” is located in the northeastern part of the village of Arbanassi. It is a massively built stone building covered with a gabled roof. It was built in 1667. The frescoes in the church are the work of Greek painters. The people in Bulgaria are believers and respect the church.
Xylifor (area)
Xylifor is an area for recreation and tourism. It is located 4 km east of Veliko Tarnovo. A small artificial lake, sports and children’s playgrounds, shelter, hut, hiking trails have been built. There is a wide lawn, inn, possibility to sleep in a tent, many organized places for recreation and even physical activity, outdoor barbecues, climbing wall. The area is extremely suitable for mountain biking.
Kokonska fountain
Kokonska fountain in the village of Arbanassi is located on the main street in front of the Konstantsalieva house. The fountain got its current name from the former inhabitant of the house Kokona Sultana. On the obverse of the fountain, there is a stone inscription with embossed letters in Old Arabic. The inscription in translation reads: “Who looks at it and drinks it, will come the light in eyes and soul.”
Kalugerska Dupka Cave
Its opening has the shape of a womb. Entering it is relatively easy to a depth of about ten meters. From the left corridor of the cave a small stream springs all year round, which after rain becomes extremely full of water, and it is good to enter with boots. Adventure seekers have found in it an artificial lake, which was most likely used for rituals in the past. The womb caves differ from the others by their specific shape. Some believe that in the past they were Thracian sanctuaries.
The church of „St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel“
The church “St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel ”is a massive stone building elongated along the east-west axis, covered with a gabled roof. The church has a complex architectural and compositional scheme. A distinctive feature in the artistic decoration of the temple is the decorative interpretation of the architectural forms and elements, which harmonizes with the rest of the painting. In this way, an organicity was achieved between architecture and frescoes – the hallmark of Orthodox medieval temple architecture.
Tours which include Arbanassi
Discover Bulgaria for 5 nights
With this trip you will see the famous Rila Monastery. It is a monument in the UNESCO list of world heritage and is situated in the highest mountain on the Balkans – Rila Mountain. It is one of the best sellers for individual travelers and groups. The Monastery dates back to the 10th century, famous for its ornate interior and colorful frescoes. Enjoy sightseeing in Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo. You will see the lovely Valley of Roses. The village of Arbanassi is a wealthy crafts and trade hub that you will find very interesting.
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11 Days Monastery Tour
Bulgaria adopted Christianity during the reign of Tzar Boris (852-889). Now Bulgaria belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which for centuries protected the identity of the Slav community.
The religious monuments – monasteries and churches – inspired a sense of security, creating perfect conditions for theologians and philosophers, thus founding the future cultural and spiritual moral of the Bulgarian nation. This program will introduce you to the top of masterpieces of monastery art and architecture, to the fate of the nation, to the sacred places of our history.
10 Days Touring Bulgaria with a private car
Run away with a private car and have an unforgettable fairy-tale adventure. With its royal comfort you will be overwhelmed by the nostalgic spirit of an irretrievably lost world from the beginning of the century. We invite you to DISCOVER an exciting experience of the past, to FEEL the magic of the fascinating nature where this romantic performance is staged. To TOUCH the treasures of the Bulgarian cultural traditions. The atmosphere of this trip is a splendid mixture of the charming old days and the sophistications of modern times.
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7 Days Architectural Museum Towns
Many remarkable architectural monuments from different periods of Bulgarian history have become a part of the world cultural treasure-house.
Remains of the millennial cultural heritage of Tracians, Romans and Byzantians; architectural landmarks from the time of Ottoman rule; perfect examples of homes, public buildings and places of worship, built during the National Revival Period – all places of interest are included in this tour.
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