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Village of Arbanasi

Arbanasi, Bulgaria - 2022 Danube River cruise. The village of Arbanasi is on a high plateau a few kilometers northeast of Veliko Tarnovo, the "City of the Tsars" and capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from the 12th to the 14th centuries. Arbanasi was a wealthy trade and crafts centre in the 17th and 18th century. Most of the city no longer exists and Arbanasi is now an architectural and museum reserve with 80 houses, all made of stone and many surrounded by high stone walls. We visited "Rozhdestvo Hristovo” Nativity Church and Konstantsalieva House, a 17th-century merchant’s house.
One of the upstairs family rooms in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
One of the upstairs family rooms in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
A storage area near the kitchen in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
A field of sunflowers on the drive to Arbanasi, Bulgaria
An old unrestored house in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Church of the Nativity ("Rozhdestvo Hristovo"). The Church is the oldest in Arbanasi and was built in 15th century. It is now a museum. Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Modern day Icons for sale at a street vendor in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
An old unrestored house in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Icons on the outside wall of the Church of the Nativity ("Rozhdestvo Hristovo"), Arbanasi, Bulgaria
The interior of the Church of the Nativity ("Rozhdestvo Hristovo"). Some of these painting date back as far as the 17th century. Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Konstantsalieva House, a 17th-century merchant’s home that is now a museum. Arbanasi, Bulgaria
The well in the back yard of Konstantsalieva House. The house is an example of the unique style of architecture in the village of Arbanasi, Bulgaria – a…
An iron studded door at the rear of Konstantsalieva House. Arbanasi, Bulgaria
A wall mural in one of the upstairs family rooms in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Wood door and cabinetry in Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
One of the upstairs family rooms in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
An exterior stairway at the rear of the in the Konstantsalieva House, a restored 17th century residence of a wealthy merchant, in Arbanasi, Bulgaria