Top Things to do in Arbanasi
- 1. Chiesa della Nativita
- 2. Samovodska Charshiya Complex
- 3. Lyaskovets Monastery "Sv. Sv. Peter and Paul"
- 4. Tsarevets Fortress
- 5. Konstantsalieva House
- 6. Asen's Monument
- 7. Church of Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel
- 8. St. Nicholas Convent
- 9. Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
- 10. Nicopolis ad Istrum
Top 10 Things to do in Arbanasi, Bulgaria
Discover the best top things to do in Arbanasi, Bulgaria including Chiesa della Nativita, Samovodska Charshiya Complex, Lyaskovets Monastery "Sv. Sv. Peter and Paul", Tsarevets Fortress, Konstantsalieva House, Asen's Monument, Church of Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel, St. Nicholas Convent, Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God, Nicopolis ad Istrum.
Restaurants in Arbanasi
1. Chiesa della Nativita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By saronic - Zurich, Switzerland
From the outside the 15th century 'Rozhdestvo Hristovo' (Nativity) church in Arbanasi looks almost like a barn. But once inside the about 5 complicatedly arranged rooms one is quickly overwhelmed by the richness and quality of the many wall paintings.with scenes from the Old and New Testament, but also of ancient Greek philosophers, done in the 17th century.
A visit to the church is included in the 20 BGN two-days combined ticket for 10 museums (20 BGN). A separate entrance is otherwise 6 BGN. Photography is not allowed inside. Outside there are a few souvenir stalls.
2. Samovodska Charshiya Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By YouthinAsia - Marin County, California
We absolutely LOVED this cluster of shops and craftsmen. This way far and away of favorite in our short time in Bulgaria. Some incredible craftsmanship in jewelry, ceramics, leather, woodwork and more. Many of the craftspeople are working in their shops while you're there.
A particular favorite was the leather work, prices seemed reasonable and the quality much better than in the larger stores.
Hopefully you'll have more time than we did. Shops take credit cards.
3. Lyaskovets Monastery "Sv. Sv. Peter and Paul"
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By DOBCHO - Varna, Bulgaria
The small picturesque Lyaskovets Monastery (known also as Petropavlovski Monastery) towers over the high and inaccessible rocks of Arbanasi Plateau, 3 km from the town of Lyaskovets and 10 km from the town of Veliko Tarnovo. It is one of the 14 monasteries around Veliko Tarnovo and easily accessible from the city of Lyaskovets, however, coming from Varna on the main road to Veliko Tarnovo and just before the road fork to Lyaskovets you will notice the impressive monastery building on top of the rocks but keep driving and once you enter the village of Sheremetya you can easily access the monastery by turning right to Arbanasi. Few km uphill is the juncture Arbanasi/Lyaskovets monastery which is clearly signed then in few min you will reach the monastery parking place and entrance, visit is free of charge. The Monastery has a long history - according to the tradition, it was built by the king brothers Assen and Peter, where once there was a fortress. The rebellion was prepared in 1185 for the liberation of Bulgaria from the Byzantine occupation. The kings built the monastery in gratitude for the uprising to succeed. Later on, the monastery was destroyed many times by the Turks and once due to earthquake but always restored by the Bulgarian orthodox church to be a home of nuns nowadays, consisting of the main building and church, two additional small chapels and the bell tower. It is absolutely worth an hour visit in case you are interested of Bulgarian history; also do not miss the stunning Panorama view down to the valley and Lyaskovets city by exiting the backyard gate.
4. Tsarevets Fortress
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 981 reviews
Dating to the 12th century, this strategic fortress is one of two highly fortified hills (Trapezitza being the other) that protected Bulgarian rulers living on the site in the tsar’s palace.
Reviewed By gniteIrene - Toronto, Canada
Since this reconstructed fortress dominates the skyline of Veliko Tarnovo, we were interested in seeing the views of the town from the fortress. We enjoyed walking around the grounds, despite having to watch out for potholes, and broken steps. It was a lovely, warm, sunny October day and the views of the surrounding areas from the top were beautiful.The elevator was not in service the day we visited, perhaps because there were very few tourists. Pay your 6 Leva entrance fee in cash at the window before you cross over the bridge. We were disappointed that we missed the Sound and Light Show by one day.
5. Konstantsalieva House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By ITRT - Virginia
Located in the village of Arbanassi, we stopped here to see the home of a 17th century Bulgarian wealthy merchant family. The lower level of the house is constructed of stone and the upper level is wood construction. A stone wall surrounds the house. The house even had an indoor toilet, albeit a hole in the floor, so the owners did not have to leave the house especially in the cold months. The bed wive’s room was big enough for all the children to sleep with the mother. Interestingly, there is a room especially for a mother and her new baby that isolated them from other members of the family for 40 days. Servants and animals lived on the first floor of the home. Today the house is a museum of life in 19th century Arbanassi.
6. Asen's Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 190 reviews
Reviewed By Malta M
Just walked by the monument, but was impressed. Can recommend it as a highlight for your light stroll out of the city, combined with a short walk up the small hill overlooking the train station
7. Church of Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By LBWiles - Fairmont, West Virginia
Amazingly well preserved medieval church. Its appearance is uninteresting and commonplace from the outside, but incredibly well preserved paintings and frescos on the inside. This is indeed the church in which to spend some time studying the artwork. Fascinating detail and color. We were members of a tour and as such had a pre-arranged performance of the Eastern Orthodox Choir inside the church. Magnificent!! If you are only seeing one church, this is it!!
8. St. Nicholas Convent
Overall Ratings
4 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By wisniak - Israel
There's an impressive entrance to the site, with a small tree to the left, to which the believers attach red strings for luck.
Inside is a small garden with a small vine-covered gazebo, where the are some benches to sit and relax.
The church is located to the left.
Very nice place.
9. Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By Culinary-Consultants - Bulgaria
The Transfiguration Monastery (Bulgarian: Преображенски манастир, Preobrazhenski manastir) or the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God (манастир "Свето Преображение Господне", manastir "Sveto Preobrazhenie Gospodne") is an Eastern Orthodox monastery located in the Dervent gorge of the Yantra River. It lies near the village of Samovodene, seven kilometres north of Veliko Tarnovo, in central northern Bulgaria. It is one of the five stauropegic monasteries of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
It is thought that the monastery was founded in the 11th century AD as a cloister of the Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos. In 1360, when Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and the traditions of hesychasm were popular in Bulgaria, it became an autonomous monastery on the order of Tsar Ivan Alexander of Bulgaria. This is legendarily tied to the charity of Ivan Alexander's second wife Sarah-Theodora and their son Ivan Shishman, a reason to also call the monastery Sarah's or Shishman's monastery.
After the Ottoman conquest of Bulgaria, the monastery was plundered and burned several times by the Turks and eventually entirely destroyed. It was only reestablished in 1825 by father Zoticus of the Rila Monastery by means of donations. In 1832, a firman of the Ottoman sultan allowed the construction of a new monastery church; the church was designed by the noted Bulgarian National Revival architect Kolyu Ficheto and completed in 1834. The cross-shaped church features three apses, a single dome and a covered narthex.
The icons and frescoes of the main church were painted by another famous artist, Zahari Zograf, who worked in the monastery between 1849 and 1851, after he finished his decoration of the Troyan Monastery. Among the more notable murals are those of the Last Judgment, the Wheel of Life, the Birth of the Mother of God, the Last Supper. Zograf also painted Saints Cyril and Methodius, as well as a self-portrait. In addition, the main church was richly decorated on the outside and a wood-carved and gold-plated iconostasis was installed.
Between 1858 and 1863 Kolyu Ficheto constructed the seven-bell belfry, the residential buildings and the main entrance, as well as the underground chapel of Saint Andrew the First-called and the small Church of the Annunciation on top of it, with icons by Zahari Zograf's nephew Stanislav Dospevski.
10. Nicopolis ad Istrum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
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