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Warders of Tsarevgrad Tarnovo

Sixty diplomats from around the world arrive tomorrow for their visit in Veliko Tarnovo. Diplomatic corps will be accompanied by the Bulgarian Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister Marin Raikov. They are visiting the Old Bulgarian Capital at the invitation of Mayor Daniel Panov.

The Mayor is holding a presentation at the Museum of Revival and Constitution Assembly at 2 pm tomorrow regarding Veliko Tarnovo’s application for European Capital of Culture in 2019.

After the presentation, the guests will watch the mini-spectacle “Warders of Tsarevgrad Tarnovo” at the Tsar Asen I Square and will take a stroll through the Samovodska Charshia (bazaar).

The last time Diplomatic corps were in Veliko Tarnovo was 14 years ago.

St George’s Church in Arbanasi

The Church of Saint George, or Sveti Georgi in Bulgarian, is located at the southwester part of the historical village of Arbanasi, 5 minutes from Veliko Tarnovo. It is a massive stone building  sized 21 x 10 metres, with a two-slope roof. It has a single nave and apse, with a narthex to the west and a gallery to the north.

Built at the end of 17th & beginning of 18th centuries, the church has kept its authentic look. An inscription above the door on the western naos reads that the frescoes were painted in 1709-1710 “by the hands of teachers Hristo and Stoyo”. The frescoes were painted on the walls of the naos (the central space in front of the altar) and on the eastern wall of the narthex (the westernmost transverse part of an Orthodox Church).

The iconographic cycles presented are those of the Great Christian Holidays, the Passions of Christ and the Post-Easter Cycle.

Archaeological and architectural surveys have revealed that within the current naos and earlier temple existed. It consisted of an altar, naos and narthex under a single massive vault and was built in the second part of the 16th century. In the mid-seventies of the 20th century the Italian restorer Sergio Pigazzini removed the frescoes and the church remained closed for decades.

In 2009 the Ministry of Culture initiated a project for restoration and preservation of St George’s Church, funded with EU funds. 200 sqm of the original frescoes were restored and reapplied to the church walls. The church yard was also renovated.

The church is now open for visitors and included in the tourist route, following the late medieval Arbanasi churches.

St. George Church

The Church of St. George is located at the east foot of the Trapezitsa Hill, on the right bank of the Yantra. It is a massive stone building sized 11 by 5 metres with one nave, one apse, a little narthex and semi-cylindrical vault. The current church was built in 1616 on the foundations of an older church, which was probably active during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, when Tarnovgrad (the old name of Veliko Tarnovo) was the capital.

the frescoes are easily perceiver and not complicated. The central conch is occupied by the fresco called “Holy Mother of God Larger Than Heaven” and “The Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles” above it, as well as “The Eucharist” (The Communion) below it.

On the first row of the north and south naos (inner chamber of the temple) you can see depictions of St. Demetrius, St. George and St. Theodore Thyron, St. Theodore the Stratelates and others. The western walls bear images of female saints, the most prominent of whom is St. Petka (Paraskeva).

The Church narthex contains elements of two layers of paintings, depicting different scenes from the Bible.

The church had been restored between 1968 and 1971 (conducted by architect Boyan Kuzupov). The church now operates as a museum and is open for visitors 9 am – 6 pm

Tarnovo Art Modern

The newest art centre in Veliko Tarnovo is called Tarnovo Modern Art. It opened doors for visitors on March 22, at the Day of Veliko Tarnovo, at 35 Ivan Vazov Street.

Their first exhibition displays a total of 60 works of artists from 35 countries from all over the world. The artworks are owned by the Panev Gallery and have been collected over the past 15 years.

Visitors have the opportunity to see works of modern artists fro Kuwait, India, Egypt, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, France, Germany, Slovakia and Bulgaria.

Forty paintings of Ivanichka, Hristo and Gabriel Panev are also exhibited in one of the centre halls, together with sculptures by the Hungarian artist Daniel Ludwig. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm. Check it out, if you are about or planning to visit Veliko Tarnovo.