BULGARIA – RОMANIA – SERBIA – BULGARIA

Rila Monastery – the biggest Monastery in Bulgaria. It was founded by the most respected Bulgarian saint-anchorite Ivan Rilski (876-946). It was built at is present location in the 14 century, and at first just a defensive tower was constructed (1335) – a remarkable work of medieval Bulgarian architecture. The following and most important stage of building was 1816-1870, when the biggest Bulgarian monastery was built, as can be seen today, with funds raised from all Bulgarians. With regards to architecture it resembles the Aton monasteries the most – like a medieval castle with tall wall and small narrow windows made of stone. The main monastery temple was built in 1837, the wall paintings decoration is from 1844-48, created by prominent painters from the time of the national Renaissance. The museum exhibition is one of the richest and most valuable collections on the Balkans. The Monastery has the UNESCO status of an international cultural monument.

The Bulgarian town of Plovdiv is situated along the two banks of the river Maritza with its slow water, and also on a number of picturesque hills (called ‘tepe’ by the local people) that are part of the town’s charm and beauty.
Plovdiv is located in the Southern/Central part of Bulgaria. Being the second largest city in the country, it has a population of 350’000. There is a kind of magic in Plovdiv in all seasons. Remains of ancient, medieval, revival and modern culture coexist and are interwoven into the unobtrusive, irresistible and eternal beauty of this city. They do not stand in each other’s way; they complement and enrich each other to make Plovdiv a synonym of Bulgarian history and a genuine world city.

Kazanlak

Valey of roses – The Valley is located between the Balkan and Central forest and is known for its beauty and fertility. The valley is famous by its production of rose oil, the city is known like The Capital of the rose.

Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak– It is one of the most valuable monument of Thracian architecture and art from the end of the 4 and the beginning of the 3 BC. It was found in 1944 in a mould near the town of Kazanluk. It has a richly painted rectangular entrance hall, a narrow gallery and a brick burial chamber with a dome. Two techniques were used in the decoration – wet fresco and distemper technique. On the frieze in the gallery a combat scene with a lot of figures is depicted. The wall paintings from the main frieze are between two bands of ornaments.  They represent a unique scene, in which the deified deceased and his wife are having a funeral feast and a lot of servants, musicians, guards, coachmen are serving them. Such images are a very important resource of information for the way of life, clothes, appearance and imagination of the Thracian people. This is the best preserved monument of Thracian art in Bulgaria and one of the few masterpieces of antique painting we have today. It is announced for a UNESCO monument in 1979.

The Church of the Nativity is also known as “St. Nikolay”, as it has a dual dedication. Completed in 1902 at the Shipka Monastery, it is a memorial to liberation from Ottoman rule and to those whose lives were lost in the battle at Shipka Pass in the Russian-Turkish War (1877/78). The battle was the turning point in the war.

Veliko Tarnovo – the city is often referred to as the „City of the Tsars“, Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. Contemporaries have described it as “God’s preserved town”, “The Great Tarnov”, “The queen of the towns”.

The Ivanovo rock churches, near Ruse.
The caves in the region had been inhabited by monks from the 1220s, when it was founded by the future Patriarch of Bulgaria Joachim I, to the 17th century, when they hewed cells, churches, and chapels out of solid rock. At the peak of the monastery complex, the number of churches was about 40, while the other premises were around 300, most of which are not preserved today.

Second Bulgarian Empire rulers such as Ivan Alexander and Ivan Asen II frequently donated to the complex, as evidenced by donor portraits in some churches. Other patrons included nobles from the capital, Tarnovo and the nearest big medieval town Cherven, with which the monastery complex had strong ties in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was a centrer of hesychasm in the Bulgarian lands in the 14th century and continued to exist in the early centuries of the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria but gradually decayed.

The Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.

Bucharest, a city of captivating contrasts, stands proudly as one of Central and Eastern Europe’s largest urban centers, often referred to as the “Little Paris” for its charm and allure.
Embark on a panoramic journey through this vibrant cityscape. Encounter the historical Revolution Square, the Royal Palace, now gracefully transformed into the Museum of Fine Arts, as well as the dignified Senate, the stately University Library, and the enchanting Temple of Music, known as “Athene,” renowned for its stylish design and a majestic dome soaring to 30 meters in height. Traverse Romagna Square and Victoria Square, behold the graceful Arc de Triomphe, a magnificent replica of its Parisian counterpart.

A visit to the Patriarchal Cathedral, the city’s spiritual heart, unveils a place adorned with relics such as those of Saint Dimitar Besarbovsky, and fragments of Constantine and Elena. Ascend the Hill of the Metropolis, wander through Unirii Square and the 21st December Square, and appreciate the splendid landmarks that grace the landscape – the National Theater, the Patriarchal Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the colossal Parliament Building, an administrative marvel ranking as the second largest worldwide.
Subsequently, immerse yourself in a leisurely stroll through Bucharest’s charming old town, where the meticulously restored architecture along Lipscani Street casts a spellbinding spell. Gaze upon the Old Princely Court of Vlad the Impaler, the very figure that inspired Bram Stoker’s legendary Dracula. Nestled within is Romania’s grandest bookstore, the “Carturesti Carusel” or “Carousel of Light.” This six-story marvel, originating from 1860, has thrived through various roles – a bank, a bustling marketplace – and now stands as a pristine haven of culture and fantasy. The ancient princely church, Bucharest’s oldest edifice, and the former “Louis Manuk” inn, transformed into an opulent hotel-restaurant, add layers to the city’s historical tapestry. The abundance of charming bars and restaurants only enhances the delightful ambiance of this remarkable locale.

The Peles castle was built by the first King of Romania, Carol I of Hohenzollern–Sigmaringen, between 1873 and 1914. By 1883, its inauguration, it was used as a summer residence. Between 1890 and 1914, under the supervision of the Czech architect Karel Liman, considered the main architect, the castle was transformed and enlarged. Decoration: In the first shape (1883), the German neo-Renaissance style provides exterior and interior stylistic dominance with two exceptions: the neo-Ottoman and the neo-Rococo styles. In the second stage (1890-1914), fundamental changes to the volumes, façades, and interiors enriched the previous stylistic range, adapting the castle to the stylistic pluralism of Historicism.

It is said that Mikhail Cantacuzino and his family went on a trip to the holy places. One day, he reached an Orthodox monastery on Sinai Mountain, with Saint Catherine as its dedication day. Impressed by what he had seen and felt in the holy lands when he came home, he decided to build the Sinai Monastery with the same name as Sinai Mountain. The museum of Sinaia Monastery, built in 1895 on the occasion of the monastery’s bicentenary, is the first religious museum in the country and shelters invaluable worship objects, the first Bible translated in Romanian and printed at Bucharest (in 1688, with the goodwill of ruler Serban Cantacuzino) and a gorgeous collection of icons. Inside the church, there can also be found the epitaph made by Ana Roth, who worked on cotton cloth with needle and golden wire and colored silk between 1897 and 1900. The piece of work, of world value, is included on the UNESCO list.

Brashov, Romania
The picturesque town separates the Eastern and Southern Carpathians. Tourist program: the Old Town Hall, the Black Church – the largest Gothic cathedral in Eastern Europe, the White and Black Towers, the Church of St. Bartholomew” – the oldest architectural monument in the city, the narrowest street in Europe – Sfori.

The Old part of the town is  included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Seeing the one of most beautiful and preserved Medieval citadel in Europe. Nine of the 14 towers of the citadel have been preserved, as well as the entire medieval appearance of the buildings and streets inside.

Cluj-Napoca is a city in northwestern Romania, the administrative center of Cluj County and the historical capital of Transylvania. Тhe second biggest city in Romania, after the capital Bururest.The historical center around the Unirii square, St.Michael’ Gothic basilica, Old banffy palace, which now houses The national art museum and the Old Town Hall, squares Mihai viteazul and Avram Iancu.
Cluj-Napoca is a lively student city.

Timisoara is a city and administrative center of Timis County, Banat, Western Romania, economic and cultural center of Banat.The historical name of the city comes from the Hungarian name of the river Timis.

Timisoara is one of the most beautiful old Romanian cities. Thanks to the old buildings in the Baroque style, Timisoara is often compared to the beauty of Vienna. Because of this, the city is often called Little Vienna.

Tour of the city – square of Victory, the town hall, the cathedral, the opera, the philharmonic, the Banat museum and several historical palaces. There is also a more unusual museum here – the Museum of the Revolution of 1989, which traces the historical events that led to the overthrow of Ceausescu from power. Another square whose name is worth remembering is the Unification Square – it is located in the center of the old part of Timisoara and on its edge are lined up a Catholic and Serbian church, a baroque palace and other impressive buildings.

Novi Sad is a city in northern Serbia, the center of the Vojvodina region. It is located on the Danube River and is the second largest city in Serbia, after the capital Belgrade. In contrast to the central and southern parts of Serbia, the Hungarian influence is felt in the city in the layout and general appearance, in the local architecture.
One of the most impressive sights in Novi Sad is the Petrovaradin Fortress, located on the right bank of the Danube River. It is a huge fortress complex, erected on a hill on the bank of the river, which is located on a total area of 112 hectares – one of the largest and most impressive fortresses in all of Eastern Europe, called “Gibraltar on the Danube”. The Petrovaradin fortress was built after 1690 on the foundations of an older Roman fortification.
On the main town square of Freedom in the center of Novi Sad stands the cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with a pronounced Gothic architecture and the City Hall of the town. Among the other sights of Novi Sad are the Orthodox Church “St. George”, the Museum of Vojvodina, the Collection of Foreign Art, the Danube Park, the old Jewish Synagogue.
Albert Einstein’s wife – Mileva Maric Einstein – is from this city.

Sremski Karlovci is a very old city, which was created as a Roman fortress, and after its capture by the Turks, it became the center of Serbian spirituality, and Karlovci stood out as the city with the largest Serbian population within the empire. this is one of the most important cultural centers of the Serbs, for a long time an archbishop’s center, and until 1936 – the residence of the Serbian patriarch.There are many sights of Sremski Karlovtsi: the magnificent church “St. Nikola”, the Theological Seminary – the oldest in the world after the Kiev, Karlovy Vary High School – the first high school in Serbia, the fountain of the four lions.There are numerous small wineries in Sremski Karlovtsi – even the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Probus ordered the planting of vines in this area. The tradition of producing quality wines dates back to those times, among which the trademark of Sremski Karlovci is the sweet, heavy wine “bermet”.

Belgrade is the capital and largest city in present-day Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava River with the Danube and the intersection of the Middle Danube Plain and the Balkan Peninsula.

City tour of Belgrad.
The main street “Kniaz Mahaylova”, park Kalemegdan, Belgrade fortrеss, Skadarska street with cafeterias, St.Sava church, National Assembly, Nikola Tesla museum, the old Palace, National Museum, National Theater.

Nis is the third largest city in Serbia, located on the Nisava River.
Niška Fortress – It was built in the 18th century and is located on the right bank of the Nišava River, in the center of Niš. The fortress has four large gates – Stamboul, Belgrade, Vidin and the Great Gate.

Mediana – the birthplace of Constantine the Great. It is the most famous suburb in Niš, birthplace of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great. It is located in the eastern part of the city, near thermal springs. Mediana was built in the 4th century as a summer residence that the emperor visited in his hometown. On the spot you will see original mosaics.
The Skull Tower – The Skull Tower was built in 1809 and is located two kilometers from the city center. It was built from the skulls of 952 Serbian insurgents who died in the Battle of Cegar. They were beheaded by order of the Turkish commander-in-chief Khurshid Pasha.
Red Cross concentration camp – bottom of the best-preserved Nazi facilities on the Balkan Peninsula. Jews, communists, partisans, and Serbs lay inside during the Nazi occupation of Serbia in World War II. You will be able to walk through the common areas, learn the stories of those who lie inside and peek into the cells, the floors of which were covered with barbed wire.

The National History Museum is the largest museum in Bulgaria. The National History Museum was founded in 1973 and is actually one of the largest and richest museums in the Balkans. It preserves more than 700,000 cultural monuments, tracing the history of the people who lived on the territory of Bulgaria from 8,000 years ago until today. In 1984, the first exposition dedicated to 1300 years of Bulgaria was arranged. It is located in the Courthouse. In 1998, House No. 1 from the Boyana residence was provided as a building for the museum. In 2000, a new exhibition was opened at the new location. The main exhibition of the museum is arranged in five halls: Prehistory, Ancient Thrace, Middle Ages – First (VII-XI century) and Second Bulgarian Kingdom (XII-XIV century), Bulgarian lands in the XV-XIX century and the Third Bulgarian State (1878 – until today).

The church “St. Nicholas and St. Panteleimon” in the district of Boyana, Sofia, or Boyana Church for short, is known for its remarkable medieval frescoes. The Boyan church was declared a national antiquities protected by the state in 1927 and remained an active parish church until 1954. In 1979 it was included in the list of world cultural heritage under the protection of UNESCO.