On Saturday we again boarded buses for a ride through the Bulgarian countryside to visit Veliko Turnovo and Arbanassi. Veliko Turnovo is built on three hills with the Yantra River winding through it. It was here that two brother, Asen and Peter, declared an end to Byzantine rule. It grew into the cultural center of the Bulgarian Empire and the strongest Bulgarian fortress of the Middle Ages and remained such until the Ottomans overtook it in 1393. Sitting atop Tzarevetz Hill are the majestic ruins of Tzarevetz Castle.
We then rode to the picturesque village of Arbanassi, which was originally established by wealthy merchants to enjoy the healthy mountain climate. It is home to many monasteries and churches. It was also a religious haven for Christians during Turkish rule. It’s famous for its stone houses and unique architecture, and it boasts some of the highest real estate prices in Bulgaria. We toured the Konstantsaliev House that was the home of a wealthy merchant.
We then visited Christ Nativity Church, which, besides being included in the UNESCO World Heritage List of valuable cultural sites, dates back to the 16th-century and is one of the oldest and most beautifully decorated churches in the village. The inside is covered with frescoes, which show the story of the Last Judgment and Nativity in vivid scenes.
We ate lunch in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant and were treated to live folk music and dance. We then returned to Veliko Turnovo, where we had a few minutes to shop along Samovodska Charshia, a street with stalls of local artists, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
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