This was a full day sightseeing which included Veliko Tarnova and a visit to Arbanasi.
Arbanasi
Part of our group are on our bus before the day's tour.
From day to day, we change seats; and this day it was our turn
to be closer to the front on the right side.
Here are some photos taken on our way to Arbanasi, our first tourist attraction.
Arbanasi
with newer and older houses in a traditional style.
Arbanasi is a small village in north central Bulgaria.
It has well-preserved historical buildings
and is close proximity to
Veliko Tarnovo, which is the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
Our local guide in Arbanasi.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Our tour included the Church of the Nativity of Christ,
which is the oldest church in Arbanasi.
Originally built during the 15th century.
Nearly every inch of the vaulted interior is covered in paintings
and frescoes dating back to the 17th century.
Stone walls, small windows and minimal exterior ornamentation.
The unassuming exterior is by design, according to what I read.
During the Ottoman occupation of Bulgaria,
the church conformed to the Muslim rule that these Christian churches
could not be large and impressive.
They were required to look like ordinary houses from the outside.
Another explanation offered was that during Ottoman rule,
the Orthodox church was secret and underground,
thus the plain exterior.
But the interior is rich in murals and carved wood.
Murals include The Last Judgment and The Birth of Christ.
It is divided into a men's section and a woman's section.
Every surface is covered with beautiful frescoes.
Some 2,000 scenes along with icons and woodwork
with biblical, philosophical, and astrological themes.
Sitting in the church, we were entertained by this quartette singing
a capella in the unique Eastern Europe old style of harmony.
I bought one of their CDs.
The intervals are different than our musical scales,
which gives a unique sound.
We heard this kind of a capella singing in some Russian churches.
The intervals are different than our musical scales,
which gives a unique sound.
We heard this kind of a capella singing in some Russian churches.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Continuing our walking tour of Arbanasi.
A tradition of posting death notices on public walls and places.
Bulgarian flag
Our guide is sharing information
about the local perfume industry,
Bulgarian Rose perfume and oil.
It takes more than 1,300 rose blossoms to create just one gram of rose oil.
Roses are still distilled using traditional techniques,
with farmers gathering the blooms by hand before 10:00 a.m.
when the oil yield is at its highest.
I bought a small inexpensive sample, which probably
is not genuine, but the container has the traditional look.
My preference was a unique vase and small candy dish
(not pictured here)
that caught my eye and now is displayed in my kitchen.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Veliko Tarnova
Here are a few photos taken on our way by bus to our next tourist attraction,
Veliko Tarnova, which is in north central Bulgaria.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo.
It is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name.
The remains were rebuilt in 1970s and 1980s for tourist and safety purposes.
Statue of a lion guards the road to the Tsarevets Castle or fortress.
Part of the climb is on a rough path and toward the top
the path turned into steep stairs,
which on our return down, I followed the example of several others
and turned around and came down backwards.
We made it to the top and enjoyed the view,
although there was not much to see inside the church.
The paintings inside the church were similar to this one,
very modern and dark, which were not to my taste,
but meant to reflect the feelings around the Passion of Christ.
There was not much else inside to see except these paintings
by Teofan Sokerov and completed in 1985.
But we were glad we made the climb
and enjoyed the views.
Looking at the ruins.
(Sam)
The "Turkish" part of town or the only area where Muslims remain
(after 500 years of Ottoman rule).
On our way down.
Cathedral of the Birth of the Theotokos
with the green domes.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Just a cute picture.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Walking tour in the city
Free time on a pedestrian street.
(Narene)
Panev Art Studio
I took this photo after successfully reading the sign in cyrillic letters
and then noticed it also had the English above it;
but our Russian, which was never very good,
has really deteriorated since our mission.
This lady had an outdoor booth with items for sale.
Sam had me pose and pretended to take a picture of me;
but I wonder if she realized she was in the picture,
or was that just her usual look.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Landscapes as we returned to our AmaWaterways ship.
These large fields are farmed by big corporations
that rent the land from small land owners
and use modern equipment and techniques.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day we left our ship and traveled to Bucharest,
which was our last day in the Baltics before flying to Rome.
Continuing our walking tour of Arbanasi.
about the local perfume industry,
Bulgarian Rose perfume and oil.
It takes more than 1,300 rose blossoms to create just one gram of rose oil.
Roses are still distilled using traditional techniques,
with farmers gathering the blooms by hand before 10:00 a.m.
when the oil yield is at its highest.
I bought a small inexpensive sample, which probably
is not genuine, but the container has the traditional look.
(not pictured here)
that caught my eye and now is displayed in my kitchen.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Veliko Tarnova
Here are a few photos taken on our way by bus to our next tourist attraction,
Veliko Tarnova, which is in north central Bulgaria.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo.
It is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name.
The remains were rebuilt in 1970s and 1980s for tourist and safety purposes.
the path turned into steep stairs,
which on our return down, I followed the example of several others
and turned around and came down backwards.
although there was not much to see inside the church.
very modern and dark, which were not to my taste,
but meant to reflect the feelings around the Passion of Christ.
There was not much else inside to see except these paintings
by Teofan Sokerov and completed in 1985.
and enjoyed the views.
(Sam)
(after 500 years of Ottoman rule).
with the green domes.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Walking tour in the city
(Narene)
I took this photo after successfully reading the sign in cyrillic letters
and then noticed it also had the English above it;
but our Russian, which was never very good,
has really deteriorated since our mission.
Sam had me pose and pretended to take a picture of me;
but I wonder if she realized she was in the picture,
or was that just her usual look.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Landscapes as we returned to our AmaWaterways ship.
that rent the land from small land owners
and use modern equipment and techniques.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day we left our ship and traveled to Bucharest,
which was our last day in the Baltics before flying to Rome.
