Rural Holiday Bulgaria

Museums of Veliko Turnovo Bulgaria

Visit the many Museums which Veliko Turnovo has to offer whilst on your rural holiday tour.

Tsarevets Hill

During the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, from the year 1185 to 1395, Bulgaria was the largest and the most powerful state in Southeastern Europe, and Tsarevets Hill was the main fortress of the medieval capital – Veliko Turnovo.

During the first centuries of the Roman rule the ancient settlement was deserted, but had been inhabited even as early as the 2nd millennium B.C. After the abandonment, in once again became populated during the 4th century, and by the 5th century it had already become a strongly fortified early Byzantine town. During the 12th century, the medieval fortress was raised on top of the foundations of this early Byzantine stronghold. Today there is partial restoration, although the entire fort has been well-studied. You can see how this fort was able to withstand many different periods throughout history as it consists of massive stonewalls, gates and towers.

The museum of The Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly

To the southwest of the Tsarevets Hill and in the immediate proximity of the Archaeological Museum is situated the museum of "The Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly ". Photos, original documents and materials, and veritable furnishings vouch for the history of the Veliko Tarnovo region

The museum stores some of the best pieces of the art of icon painting - several of them are genuine masterpieces of the Orthodox Christian inheritance. On the last floor is the restored hall, where, in 1879, the Constituent Assembly was in session, during wich the First Bulgarian Constitution was proclimed. That is the place, where the first Prince of independent Bulgaria - Alexander Batenberg - was choosen; and here, too, in 1885 was taken the decision for the annexation of Eastern Roumeliya to the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

The House of Konstantsalievs

This house was built in 17th century. It was reconstructed several times in the following century and from then on nothing has been changed up to our time. It belonged to a rich merchant Atanas Konstantsaliev hence its name.

The basement was constructed of stone, with thick and heavy walls. There were the premises of the caretaker (a kitchen and bedroom), the servants' room, a cellar, a storeroom for merchandise, a stable and front and back staircases, and a hiding-place with a separate staircase leading to the first floor. There was a massive studded wooden door at the main entrance, and metal grills protected the cellar.

The first floor is frame-built. The rooms are divided into reception rooms, bedrooms and rooms for cooking. The first group is comprised of a drawing-room, a living-room and a dining-room, doors leading from one into the other, all of them facing the main staircase.

The Nativity Church

The earliest church in Arbanassi is the Cathedral of Nativity. It is comprised of a naos (the men's section), a narthex (the women's section), a gallery running on the north and on the west, having a chapel at its eastern end dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The architectural and mural details attest that the church was built in three distinct stages. The oldest part of the church, which is indeed the naos, was, in the very beginning, a separate church. It was erected in 1597. The mural compositions of the "Last Judgement" and the "Nativity1' have survived the test of time. The narthex and the chapel were built during the second stage connected with an outdoor arcade. During the third stage of building the outdoor arcade was closed up into a gallery.