General Information

Arbanasi (310 inhabitants) is one of the most picturesque old villages in the country. It is declared for as architectural preserve and is included in UNESCO´s list of world cultural heritage. The village was declared as a resort by a tsar´s edict in 1921.

Arbanasi is situated on a high rocky plateau and has a unique view towards the medieval part of the old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo, which is on 4km away. Gorna Oriahovitsa is situated 3km from Arbanasi and 7km from Liaskovets.

The resort is distinguished for its monumental houses. Preserved are 144 houses, 5 churches, 2 monasteries with rich inner decorations, carvings and wall-paintings which were made in 13 – 18 c. These unique monuments of our architectural and artistic inheritance are the reason for Arbanasi to be visited not only by tourists, but by scientists, archaeologists, historians, architects, artists. The antique atmosphere today is elegantly combined with modern tourist service.

Arbanassi and its vicinity offer a wide range of accommodation options including hotels, guest houses, apartments and villas. A number of hotels and guest houses were built in the last few years making it possible for visitors to Arbanassi and the region to enjoy their holiday. A number of privately owned villas and apartments also became available for rent directly from the owners. Please make sure that you check our listings of rental guest houses, villas, apartments and hotels in Arbanasi.

 

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Sights

The house-forts impress with their crude look and high rock walls which highly contrast with the picturesque yards and the unique cosiness and comfort of the interior. The ceilings, the doors, the furniture and the windows are luxuriously decorated with wood-carvings. The walls are decorated with plaster elements adorned with flowers.

Especially beautiful are the preserved 7 churches which date from 17 c. with their strong high walls, small windows and inaccessible studded oak doors. They harmonically fit in the overall architecture style of the village. The churches are almost non-decorated outside but inside they are luxuriously adorned with incredibly beautiful wood-carvings and paintings.

You can visit:

• The ´Arbanashkata´ house which is a pure Bulgarian house. It impresses with the luxury of its interior decoration – wood-carvings on the ceiling, doors, windows, closets; plaster decoration on the ceiling, friezes. The ´Arbanashkata´ house is arranged for continuous indoor living except for fetching water in the well of the yard. Each house of Arbanasi had a covert and all are surrounded by high rock walls.
• The first type are the oldest rock houses which are similar to the Boyar houses in Tarnovo. Such are the houses of the priest Hadji Georgi and chorbadji Georgi. They are fully built from rock and are small forts with inner stairs. There are strong rock gates outside for protection and recesses for the night guards. The windows are small and barred with iron.
• The second type are large houses with thick rock foundations and a second frame-built and grout with lime floor. These houses don´t have balconies and bay-windows.
• The third type and the latest one appears during 18 c. These houses have open air verandas, covered with wooden tops which open towards the garden.

The most interesting preserved houses are the two museums – ´Kostancalievata´ and ´Hadji Ilievata´.

• The antique fountains of Arbanasi, the ´Kokonskata´ (1786) and the ´Pazarskata´ fountains.
• The seven churches of Arbanasi are one of the most remarkable monuments of the Bulgarian art during 14 – 18 c. All churches have iron bars on their windows and are wall-painted and built from rock:
• ´Rojdestvo Hristovo´ is the oldest church. It is from the 17th c. and has a severe and ascetic look but its inside has the most picturesque decoration and the oldest wall-carvings on Bulgarian lands,
• ´St. archangels Mihail and Gavriil´ is the biggest one,
• ´St. Atanas´ is the smallest one. It was built in 1637,
• ´St. Dimitar´ and ´St. Georgi´ are dated from 1661 and 1612,
• ´St. Bogoroditsa´ with the miraculous icon and ´St. Nikola´. Bishop ´Velikotarnovski Stefan´ was buried here. It is a former residence of tsar Boris III. Both the churches are monasteries today.

History

The village was founded in the beginning of the 13th century by Bulgarian boyars and important people and had a population of 2000.

Arbanasi reached its economic peak during the second half of 17 c. to the end of 18 c. The village had over 1000 houses and its population was from notable families which traded with Italy, the Austria-Hungarian Empire Russia, Wallachia, India. Numerous crafts were developed – goldsmithing, coppersmithing, blacksmithing and silkworm-breeding. The houses as well as the churches which were built during this time are a proof of the economic progress and prosperity of the population of Arbanasi.

 

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Entertainment

You can enjoy:

• A walk in Arbanasi to get a feel of the antique atmosphere;
• A walk in the outskirts and enjoy the wonderful panorama towards the Balkan mountains and Veliko Tarnovo;
• Massages in the Center for natural prophylaxis and therapy. There are used non traditional methods: aromatherapy, special eastern massage yumeiho-therapy, Chinese treatments methods, which are adapted to the principals of the classic treatment physical culture and etc., respiratory and heart diseases treatment, combined with kinesiotherapy (the air is distinguished by saturated oxygen);
• A visit to the former governmental residence which is now hotel ´Arbanasi Palace´; An unique attraction is the Roman bath which was made by unique Italian project and is the only one of this kind in Bulgaria;
• The pool which is situated in the very center of Arbanasi.

The hotels offer:

• Cab rides, barbecue, cosmetic services, sauna and solarium, fitness and fitness instructors, mineral baths, steam bath, Jacuzzi, stores for arts and traditional crafts;
• Organizing business services – meetings, seminars, education for firms and agencies, social and international organizations, conference hall;

Trips to:

• Veliko Tarnovo which is the second Bulgarian capital and reaches its fame as a second Constantinople in 12 -14 c. It is situated on three hills – Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Mount Athos which are surrounded by the Iantra River. You can watch the ´Sound and light´ show on the ´Tsaretets´ hill which is an architectural museum preserve used for a residence of the Bulgarian tsars and high clerics. The show presents the history and the greatness of the city by the means of the music and spectacular light shows.
• The ´Etar´ which is a renovated settlement close to Gabrovo which presents the way of life of Bulgarians during the Renaissance (18-19c.) You will see open workshops of Bulgarian crafts.
• The ´St. Peter and Pavel´ monastery which was built on a rock in the eastern part of the Arbanasi´s plateau by the time of the dynasty of Asen and Peter – about 1450 year, from the local wealthy man Pavonian. He raised it on his own land with his own resources and gave it vines, meadows and forests. The First high theological school in Bulgaria in 1874 was created here.
• The ´Preobrajenski´ monastery which is situated 4km from Arbanasi. It was founded during the time of Tsar Ivan Alexander. Later it was burned by the Ottomans and was renovated by the famous architect Kolio Ficheto ion 1832. The church was decorated inside and outside by Zahari Zograf and Stanislav Dobrevski. The monastery with its greatness and surrounded by fascinating nature, is a comfortable place for tourism and cultural rest.
• The ´Kapinovski´ monastery which is not far from the town of Elena. The church is famous with the inscription of Tsar Konstantin Tih for the year of its creation – 1272.
• The ´Bojenci´ settlement which is an architectural preserve. It presents the houses from the time of the Bulgarian Renaissance. The ´Drianovski´ and ´Sokolski´ monasteries are situated nearby.

 

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Sports

The resort offers:

• Horseback riding base with pedigree horses, swimming pools, tennis court, table-tennis, pedestrian tourism, cycling tours.