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| Day Trips from Veliko Tarnovo |
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The village of Arbanassi is located about four kilometers uphill from Veliko Tarnovo. What was once a bustling merchant city in the 16th century now makes for a relaxing getaway. The town contains several houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and a handful of orthodox churches. Of these, the 17th century Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel is the largest. It consists of an altar, separate areas for men and women, a chapel dedicated to Saint Paraskevi, a gilded Bishop’s throne, several frescoes, and icon paintings. The traditional houses of Arbanassi are large and heavily fortified with stone walls and thick gates. The motivation behind the extra protection was that the village was often attacked and looted by Turkish bandits. The destruction caused by the looters eventually sent Arbanassi into decline during the late 18th century.
A visit to the restored Kostantsaliev House Museum is a great way to explore the interior of one of these homes. This 17th century two-story home belonged to a wealthy family. A walk-through will reveal the house’s original timber construction, heating system, main living quarters, servant quarters, toilet, and kitchen facilities. The Kostantsaliev House Museum is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through October (closed Mondays) and November through March by appointment only. Entrance is 5 BGN per person.The ruins of the early Byzantine city of Nikopolis ad Istrum are situated just 20 kilometers from Veliko Tarnovo. The city was founded by Emperor Trajan in 106 A.D. and flourished until Attila’s Huns destroyed it in 447 A.D. The site is a fantastic example of Roman city planning. It had a network of streets, public buildings, a forum, public bath complex, odeon, and agora. There are information points throughout the site explaining the purpose of the ruins. Nikopolis ad Istrum was located at a major crossroads that linked several Roman provinces including modern-day Varna and Istanbul. Nikopolis as Istrum is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.
If wine tasting is your thing, head to one of the country’s best boutique wineries, Maryan Winery. Named after the nearby village of Maryan, the winery is owned and operated by Svetla and Ilia Ivanov, who in 2010 decided to take their love for wine to the next level. Their wines have already received a great deal of praise from the international wine community, and their Sense of Tears Rose won a silver medal in the Balkans International Wine Competition in 2012. |
| Monday, Jan 09, 2017 |
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| » RENTALS |
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| Apartment |
€ 350 |
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| Location: |
Veliko Tarnovo |
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