The village of Arbanassi (population: 310 inhabitants) is one of the most picturesque old settlements in Bulgaria. It is situated in the rocky plateau of the same name, 4 km northeast of the town of Veliko Turnovo. With its monumental National Revival architecture (16 – 17 c.) and marvelous nature Arbanassi attracts thousands of Bulgarian and foreign tourists.
 

  Arbanassi houses impress with their austere external architecture with solid stone walls and heavy gates that contrasts the coziness and comfort of the interior. The ceilings, doors, cupboards, fireplaces, windows and the walls are beautifully decorated with carvings, paintings and plaster elements.
Very beautiful are the 7 preserved churches from the 17th century. They are one-nave buildings with semi-cylindrical vaults and 2-slope roofs. Almost deprived of decoration on the outside, they are richly decorated with beautiful carvings and wall paintings.

The village of Arbanassi is proclaimed an architectural reserve and is included in the UNESCO’s world heritage list of valuable cultural sites.

  Bulgarian noble men established the settlement in 14 century. For decades it was a possession of different Turk dignitaries. In the 16th century it became a possession of the Turk grand vizir Rustem Pasha. He ensures tax concessions of the population against the duty the near defile to be guarded. These conditions brought significant upsurge of the settlement during the following 17th and 18th century. The trade with Italy, Austro-Hungary, Russia and India, as well as the crafts, such as goldsmith’s, coppersmith’s and etc. flourished. The church played a significant role in the public life of the village. In 1779 the first Greek school in Bulgaria was founded there.

 In the village there are 5 churches and 2 monasteries, built in 16-17 century. The Nativity is the oldest and the most picturesque church. The largest one is the St.Archangels Michael and Gavrail church, and the smallest is – “St. Atanas” built in 1637. The churches of “St. George” and “St. Dimitar” date back respectively to 1661 and 1612. Close to the village are situated the 2 active monasteries – St.Nikolai and The Assumption. In the village of Arbanassi there are 80 preserved houses, 36 of which has been proclaimed national monuments of culture. The most interesting are the Kostanzalieva House and the Hadjiilieva.

  About 3-4 km from the village of Arbanssi are situated the Preobrazhenski Monastery and the Holy Trinity Monastery. Gorna Oryahivitza is 3 km northeast of the village and Lyaskovets is 7 km to the east.