A visit to the beautiful village Arbanasi is a must if you visit Veliko Tarnovo. This historic village is located 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo on a plateau with lush vegetation. The village was first home to Albanians during the 1400's. In the 1500's the village became a major trading centre and with many large stone houses.
Today, Arbanasi attracts many tourists with its unique Bulgarian Renaissance architecture from the 1600's and the 1700's. The houses resemble fortresses with their high stone walls. Internal windows, doors and ceilings are usually richly decorated with wood and the walls are decorated with gypsom.
The village has approximately 80 preserved houses, churches and monasteries.
It is an architectural reserve and is included in the list of UNESCO world cultural heritage.
Arbanasi is a weekend destination for Bulgarians and many of Bulgaria's rich have large holiday homes here. It is also a popular destination for scientists, archeologists, historians, architects and artists.
These are the most popular must-visits in Arbanasi:
Konstantsaliev's house museum - one of the most representative examples of Arbanasi architecture. The house was built in the late 1700's in the Bulgarian Revival style, and contains preserved interiors.
Hadzhiiliev's house museum - another well preserved Arbanasi house from the 1700's.
Monastery of Assumption of Virgin Mary - from the 1500's. The monastery has many icons from the 1600's and 1700's and an icon of Mary which is said to fulfill wishes. The monastery is active today.
Nativity Church of Christ - one of the oldest churches in Arbanasi from the late 1500's. The church is richly decorated with detailed ceiling and wall paintings. It also has Bulgaria's oldest Wood Carving. The Nativity Church of Christ is famous for its frescoes.
Monastery of St Nicholas - was founded as part of the building campaign of the Asen dynasty. It was plundered and burned many times during and after Ottoman rule before finally being restored in 1833. Many of the icons in the church were donated by Russian soldiers who fought with the Ottoman Empire in 1878. The monastery is active today.
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