Former capital at Bulgarian empire - Veliko Tarnavo and medieval village

Visit the capital of the second Bulgarian Empire wich was Veliko Tarnovo. This empire was a medieval state that existed between 1185 and 1396 and included parts from Romania, Serbia, Greece and Turcia.

Visit the inescapable symbol of Veliko Târnovo, this reconstructed fortress dominates the skyline and is one of Bulgaria’s most beloved monuments. The former seat of the medieval tsars, it hosts the remains of more than 400 houses, 18 churches, the royal palace, an execution rock and more.
The fortress morphs into a psychedelic spectacle with a magnificent night-time Sound & Light Show.

Visit the village of Arbanassi situated on a high plateau overseeing the Trapezitsa and Tsarevets hills. The settlement saw its bloom in the 17-18th c. when it grew into a wealthy crafts and trade hub. It was during that period that most of its gorgeous houses were erected.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Tsarevets, Tsar Asen Square, Veliko Tarnovo 5000 Bulgaria

Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria.

It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress and strongest bulwark between 1185 and 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and it is also a popular tourist attraction.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Samovodska Charshiya Complex, Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria

Samovodska Charshia is an marketplace flourished and spread down the quaint and cobbled Rakovski street, encompassing various inns (Hadji Nikoli's inn, built 1858, is still there today), bakeries and pastry shops and traditional craft workshops. The whole area underwent serious restoration in the mid 1980s to recreate the bustling marketplace of the early 20th century. In among the beautifully renovated houses from the pre- and post-liberation period the visitor can find workshops for pottery, weapons, copper working, wood carving, weaving, icon painting, Turkish sweets and a bakery.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Konstantsalieva House, Ul. Kapitan Pavel Gramadov, Arbanasi 5029 Bulgaria

Explore a venerable 17th-century house and learn how Arbanasi's well-heeled residents prospered during Bulgaria's Revival Period, sipping coffee from silver cups and donning fox-skin coats and silks to show up their neighbors at church.

The Konstantsalieva house, on one of the main roads through the village, originally built in the 17th century, has been beautifully restored in National Revival style. It reflects not only the wealth of the owners but also the attention to detail and the quality craftsmanship of that time.
In a style typical for Arbanassi, the two storey house is set in a large yard surrounded by a high stone wall. The lower floor is constructed of stone, the upper floor and living quarters are timber construction. Stairs are internal as an extra security precaution. The winter rooms were heated by large built in stoves (known as dzhamal) which were fed and cleaned from a separate service access. There is even an internal toilet (hole in the floor).

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery, Basarbovo 7071 Bulgaria

St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery is the only active carved in rock monastery in Bulgaria. It is located in the valley of Rusenski Lom river, just 10 kilometers away from Rousse (Ruse). If you are transiting between Romania and Bulgaria, this is a sight that is totally worth a small detour.

Duration: 1 hour