Jim Schroder's Travel

Home
Trips

Select Page

Bulgaria

What an honor to be invited to sit at the Captain's table the first evening of the river cruise.

We were treated while visiting the Orthodox Church by some local religious members sang for us while we sat in the old wooden seats. Spell binding. the history of the church is amazing too as it had to be unchurch like from outside as churches were banned.

Vidin was formerly surrounded by the Ottoman fortress of Kaleto, of which many of the ornate gates have been preserved. The elaborate defensive system dates to the 17th-18th century . the Istanbul Gate is perhaps the best-known because of its impressive architecture and the beautiful fountain in front. Conveniently, it also lies on the edge of the main town square, so you have no excuse to miss it!

It was built in the 13th or 14th century and forms part of the Ancient Nesebar UNESCO World Heritage Site. A single-nave church with three apses, in the past it was topped by a dome and a bell tower. Its rich external decoration was done in Nesebar's characteristic style.

Everywhere you look is beauty

Entrance to the Danube River and the Black Sea

The statue of the Three Sisters, the legend of the founding of Vidin. According to legends the town and the fortress were named after Vida who was the daughter of a wealthy ruler. After her father’s death Vida and her two younger sisters inherited the lands. The two sister married foolishly and lost everything. The third sister Vida declined all marriage proposals. She chose to stay single and dedicated her life to her nationals. She built an inaccessible fortress and a castle where she lived to a ripe old age. Vida was a powerful and just ruler. After her death, people named the fortress after her- Baba (Granny) Vida, also known as the Towers of Baba Vida.

Its frescoes were painted in 1761 by two artists – Mikhail from Thessaloniki and Georgi from Bucharest. The present-day cult building stands over the foundations of an ancient medieval church

It is located in the southeastern part of the village. The present-day cult building stands over the foundations of an ancient medieval church. Similar to other Arbanassi churches, Sts. Archangels Michael and Gabriel is opulently painted, a proof of the robust finances of Arbanassi residents and of their refined aesthetic taste. The church mirrors the masonry traditions of the Second

It was built in 17 c. and its frescoes were painted in 1761 by two artists – Mikhail from Thessaloniki and Georgi from Bucharest.

The church is one of the most beautiful churches, built in the village of Arbanasi in XVII-XVIII c. According to its plan it is with an altar, naos, narthex and gallery. There is a small chapel dedicated to St. Paraskevi. The church is very modest from outside but it impresses with the splendid wall-paintings. Very particular are the images of the females- saints painted against starry sky.

Church of Arch Angels Michael and Gabriel

Hillside homes

The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the Tarnovo Artistic School of architecture, painting and literature.

[Show slideshow]

◄ 1 ... 3 4 5 6 ►

© 2025 Jim Schroder