This is one of the most frequented tourist sites in Bulgaria, 4 km away from Veliko Turnovo.

In the village of Arbanassi everything is authentic: the unique architecture of the Arbanassi houses, the old-time narrow streets, the drinking fountains of yore, the moving mural paintings, icons and original iconostases in its remarkable churches and monasteries.

Arbanassi was founded in the late 15th century by Christians, coming from the southwest Bulgarian lands. In mid-16th century it flourished, rapidly growing and developing and attracting settlers from the nearby villages and hamlets. The prospering inhabitants of Arbanassi engaged in lively trading in all parts of the Ottoman Empire and in the countries of Central Europe. The crafts of gold jewelry, copper work, of farriers developed in the settlement as did the cultivation of the silk worm. The flowering of Arbanassi continued until the end of the 18th century, when it was ravaged and ruined by the Kurdzhali brigand inroads and its population migrated. Now Arbanassi elegantly combines the preserved old-time atmosphere with modern servicing.

Landmarks. Konstantsalievs House (17th century) is impressive by its monumental architecture. It is a veritable fortress. Located in its ground floor, completely built of ashlars, are: the living quarters of the sentry, a servants’ room, cellars, storage premises for goods, a stable, a hiding place, the main staircase for everyday use and a separate staircase connecting the hiding place with the floor. The entrances are closed up by thick wooden gates studded with nails. The main entrance is strongly protected by a solid nail-studded door and has a barred opening, specially made for defensive purposes. The guest rooms, the closed reception room, the sitting rooms, bedrooms and the auxiliary premises are on the second floor. In the most secluded part of the floor is the special room for the woman in childbirth. The spacious rooms skillfully combine exquisiteness and lavishness with coziness and an intimate atmosphere, emanated by the masonry stoves, the decorative ceilings, cupboards, and gypsum ornaments. Everything here is evidence of the high skill and exquisite artistic sense of the Bulgarian master builders and the fine taste and financial possibilities of the hosts.

Hadzhiilievs House (17th century) is a two-floor, well-protected house with a magnificent ceremonial entrance and a wide staircase, leading to the second floor. Its plan is typical of the rich houses of Arbanassi. The spacious kitchen with big fireplaces and ovens for bread and cookies is in the bottom of the corridor. All the living quarters on the floor are heated with masonry stoves. The guest rooms are elaborately decorated. The ceilings are covered with ornaments of white clay, while the top strips of the walls have friezes of stylized flowers. The doorframes, window shutters and cupboards are decorated with woodcarvings.

The Church of the Nativity is the oldest church in Arbanassi, built in several stages. Initially, what is today the nave (the section for men) had been an independent church, and its mural paintings had been made before 1597. The narthex was decorated with mural paintings in 1638, while the murals in the chapel of John the Baptist were painted in 1632. The iconostasis is one of the oldest woodcarvings in the Bulgarian lands. Most of the images in the gallery were painted in 1649. Particularly impressive is “The Wheel of Life” painting featuring a zodiac. The mural paintings in the nave were completed in 1681