Last night our vessel, The Viking Embla, crossed the Danube from Giurgu, Romania to Rousse, Bulgaria. In the morning we left port on a motor coach and drove a couple of hours to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo where we spent most of the morning. We had lunch at the historic village of Arbanassi, a few miles away and toured this historic village before returning to Veliko Tarnova where we spent the rest of the afternoon . Bulgaria was a pleasant surprise-beautiful countryside with vast tracts of agricultural land, welcoming people and impressive ancient architecture. At lunch, Bulgarian folk dancers abducted Georgia and she danced with them in a hilarious display. In the late afternoon we returned to the Viking Embla where we enjoyed a good dinner together.
Kaltenberg Brewery, Veliko TarnovoCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:22 AM•Views: 25No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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Kaltenberg Brewery, Veliko TarnovoCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:22 AM•Views: 28No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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Arbanasi
Arbanasi is a village in Veliko Tarnovo Municipality, Veliko Tarnovo Province of central northern Bulgaria, set on a high plateau between the larger towns of Veliko Tarnovo (four kilometres away) and Gorna Oryahovitsa. It is known for the rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th- and 18th-century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, which have turned it into a popular tourist destination.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:31 AM•Views: 22
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Arbanasi-High end residence
Arbanassi was founded in the late 15th centry by Christians coming from the south-western parts of the Balkan peninsula - Bulgarians, Greeks, Albanisans. It was ruled for number of decades by different Ottoman notables. By the mid 16 th. Centry it became property of Roustem pasha, the Grand Vizir to the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. The population was granted many privileges and paid reduced taxes, providing the safety of the pass nearby in return. These favourable conditions brought the settlement to a considerable prosperity and attracted new settlers.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:35 AM•Views: 23
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Arbanasi-Old home in need of repair
The wealthy Arbanassi merchants were actively involted in international trade and had established close links with Italy, Austro-Hungary, Russia and Wallahia (now part of Romania). They carried out significant transactions between European towns and Istanbul, the seat of the Ottoman Empire. A good number of crafts flourished in the village-goldsmith's, coppersmith's, blacksmith's, sericulture and silk-worm breeding.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:36 AM•Views: 26
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Arbanasi-Old stone wall surrounding a residential compound
The diverse character of the population, its economic might and the intensive contacts with many countries were the main condition for the creation of an original culture Unique are the architectural and religions monuments that have come down from the 17th.and 18th.centuries - houses, streets, fountains churches, and monasteries, mural painting, iconostases and icons.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:38 AM•Views: 23
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Arbanasi-Bulgarian craftsmen displaying their waresCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:39 AM•Views: 22No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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Sad Sack Hound, ArbanassiCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:39 AM•Views: 24No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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View of Veliko Tarnovo from ArbanasiCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:39 AM•Views: 22No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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The old (foreground) and the new (background) in the ancient town of Arbanassi.Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:41 AM•Views: 23No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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The Nativity Church, Arbanassi
The Nativity Church is the oldest church in Arbanassi. Originally built during the 15th century the simple low level building belies the wealth of art to be found within. Nearly every inch of the vaulted interior is covered in paintings and frescoes dating back to the 17th century. Scenes are from the old and new testaments: the life of Christ, the virtues of the Virgin Mary, there is even a frieze of Greek philosophers and several inscriptions of the benefactors and sponsors. The 'Wheel of Life' on the east wall of the north gallery is the earliest depiction of this type in Bulgarian churches.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:40 AM•Views: 23
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Simple wooden cross on the 15th Century Nativity Church, ArbanassiCapture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:41 AM•Views: 20No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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Detail-The Nativity Church, Arbanassi.
While the church's exterior was very simple, the interior was a riot of color with spectacular murals. Sadly, interior photography was prohibited. I downloaded the next few shots of the interior from the internet. As far as I can tell they are not copyrighted.
Capture Date: Oct 6, 2013 04:41 AM•Views: 23
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Interior-Chuch of the Nativity, Arbanassi
The church “Nativity of Jesus” is the oldest one in Arbanassi. The greatest feature of the church is the real gallery with more than 3500 fantastic realistic figures and Bible scenes, painted by unknown artists.
Upload Date: Feb 24, 2015 01:49 PM•Views: 24
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Church of the NativityUpload Date: Feb 24, 2015 01:49 PM•Views: 20No comments yet. All fields are required, fill in the form. Comment successfully added. Comment
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