Arbanasi
Arbanasi is one of the most picturesque villages in Bulgaria, located 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo and 197 km from Sofia. Arbanasi is spread over an area of 11.9 km², on a rocky plateau by the Belitsa River. From here you can see the medieval part of the ancient third Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. The settlement attracts tourists with its preserved residential architecture and rich mural paintings in the churches.
Video: Arbanasi
General Information
Arbanasi is home to only 350 people, yet the village is sometimes referred to as a town, in deference to its history and flavor. Due to its fortunate geographical location, the locals both enjoy the quiet and can enjoy all the benefits of civilization found in their famous neighbor Veliko Tarnovo.
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Tourists coming to Arbanasi first of all pay attention to the old houses with high stone fences, which create a unique contrast with the courtyards drowning in greenery and flowers.
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History of Arbanasi
The village was founded in the 13th century by Bulgarian Bolyars. Thanks to trade, it gradually developed, more and more houses were built. The village got its name in the XV century, when the Turkish authorities evicted Albanians from Southern Epirus because of their frequent rebellions. In the Middle Ages, the word “Arbanasi” was used to refer to Albanians.
.In 1538, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent gave the village to his son-in-law Rustem Pasha. After his death, Arbanasi passed to his heirs. Only the local feudal lord had the right to collect tribute and deal with judicial matters in this territory. The settlement was exempted from local ruinous taxes and was subject to the centralized state power of the Ottoman Empire, so the inhabitants of Arbanasi were engaged in profitable crafts and traded their products duty-free. In the XVII century the goods of Arbanasi craftsmen were valued in Bulgaria and abroad. Among the buyers were Russia, Italy, Persia and India and other countries.
.What to see
The villagers were quite wealthy, so they could afford to build beautiful spacious houses resembling fortresses. Today 80 houses have been preserved, 36 of which are national cultural monuments.
In Arbanasi, the local temples are also worth exploring. Especially beautiful are the preserved 7 churches from the 17th century. The following churches are recommended to visit: the Church of the Nativity, St. George, St. Athanasos, Archangels Michael and Gabriel, St. Dimitrios and the Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary. With their strong high fences, small windows and impregnable, iron-clad oak gates, they harmonize with the general architectural appearance of the village. Almost devoid of external artistic decoration, inside they are striking with exquisite wood carvings.
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Hotel Specials
How to get there
The most convenient way to get to Arbanasi is from Veliko Tarnovo, which is located only 3 kilometers from the village. The path runs along the mountain serpentine. You can take a cab, bus or walk.
.From Burgas, buses to Veliko Tarnovo leave at 7:30 am and arrive at 11:30 am. A one-way ticket costs 25 lev.
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From Varna there are buses to Sofia, making a stop in Veliko Tarnovo. They depart from the main bus station in Varna 11 times a day, from 7:30 to 00:00, at one and a half and two-hour intervals. The buses return with approximately the same frequency.
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