“Once upon a time”- this is how children’s fairytales usually begin. There are many places in Bulgaria where one can feel the magical atmosphere of Bulgaria’s past, and there are villages whose inhabitants have achieved complete harmony between history and modernity. Arbanassi is one of these places. Known as the pearl of Veliko Tarnovo, it is situated on a rocky plateau only 4 km away from the medieval capital of Bulgaria. The village of Arbanassi has been declared an architectural reserve and was included in UNESCO’s list of world cultural heritage sites. The village boasts 144 well-preserved houses built in the period between the 16th and the 18th century.

© Photo: BGNES

The Monastery of the Assumption in Arbanassi

The manager of the municipal agency for tourism in Veliko Tarnovo, Mr. Daniel Panov, told Radio Bulgaria more:
“The authentic houses in Arbanassi still preserve the character of small fortresses. Tourists are amazed at the high stonewalls that hide luscious verdure and rich interior decoration. Two of these houses have been turned into museums. The Konstanzaliev’s house is a testimony to 17th century architecture in Arbanassi. It has an impressive interior decoration and visitors can see the guest room, the room of the young mother and the place where the hostess once prepared the famous Arbanassi dishes. Also in the 17th century, another house was built with a similar architecture that has now been turned into a museum. This is the Hadzhiiliev’s house. All 144 houses in Arbanassi still keep their old-time character. Most of them have been restored as they were originally built”, Mr. Daniel Panov says.

In addition to its fairytale ambience, Arbanassi attracts more and more people also with everything that 21st century tourists need. New hotels are built in which various types of entertainment are offered, such as spa procedures, specialized anti-stress therapies, massage, cosmetic procedures, and all kinds of modern tourist attractions. More from Mr. Daniel Panov on the vacation possibilities here:
“Many of the hotels have an open-air swimming pool, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a solarium. Special health programs are developed in gyms. Yet, one of the biggest attractions is the horse-riding base in Arbanassi. Professionals can ride specially trained horses. We also have a very good park. It was created in 2004 with EU funds under one of EU programs. There is also a special alley for bikes that is several kilometers long. Many of the hotels offer their visitors bikes and ATVs on rent. And lovers of romantic walks can choose a stroll with a horse-drawn carriage”, Mr. Panov adds.

© Photo: imagesfrombulgaria.com

New guest houses are built in the style of Revival period Bulgarian architecture

If a place is good for vacations, it is bound to quickly gain popularity. That is why the village of Arbanassi has been welcoming more and more guests from Bulgaria and abroad in recent years. Last year alone, the picturesque village was visited by 12 000 organized tourists. Some of them come here on their way to seaside resorts, others during trips across Bulgaria. English, French, Japanese and other tourists most often seek accommodation in hotels and houses with well-preserved Arbanassi architecture and atmosphere. Every weekend guests arrive from Bulgaria’s northern neighbor Romania. And at feasts and holidays, the village is bustling with people who come from the entire country to spend a couple of days here. To Veliko Tarnovo residents, the four-kilometer distance is no obstacle and they often seek the fun of local pubs. Mr. Daniel Panov offers another interesting tourist proposal: 
“This is the program entitled Guests of an Arbanassi house. Tourists visit one of the local houses as guests and are welcomed by the hosts with local culinary specialties. They can feel the atmosphere of the house, get to know the hosts and talk to them. They ask them about their lives and families, and what not. Many US tourists who come to Bulgaria on cruise ships along the Danube river choose this way of getting to know Arbanassi. At these visits, the hosts prepare several local dishes. I remember one of these dishes from my childhood. August 15 is the traditional feast day of the Monastery of the Assumption of the Theotokos in Arbanassi, and on this day my grandmother used to prepare a special Arbanassi dish – she made a veal stew with 12 different vegetables and baked it over a slow fire all during the night. Arbanassi has also several very delicious recipes for desserts, including several types of jam. The lovely air here is very favorable for the growing of fig and almond trees, and the Arbanassi fig jam prepared is superb”, Daniel Panov, manager of the municipal agency for tourism in Veliko Tarnovo, in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

Once upon a time – this is how children’s fairytales often begin, and in the village of Arbanassi you are bound to make at least one of your childhood dreams come true.

Translated by: Rossitsa Petcova