More Communist-built apartment buildings (another country) - no insulation, paper-thin walls, temperamental elevators!

Cyrillic letters, basis of many Slavic languages - that we learned to read - adopted by Bulgaria in 865 AD

This may be the principal river, the Maritsa, of the "Land of the Roses"

Passed by a stock's nest on way to Veliko Turnovo, which served as Bulgaria's capital in medieval times

Stopped here for restrooms and buying fragrant Bulgarian rose oil.  Takes 6K roses to produce 1 kg of oil.

Hillside homes of town founded at foot of Northern Fore-Balkan Range back in 4thC BC

Town is situated on three hills circled by the River Yantra and has about 75K inhabitants - many artists reside here

Entrance to Tsarevets Citadel, atop Zarevez Hill, that dates back to 1186 AD, accessible only by a drawbridge

Strategically built on hilltop overlooking medieval, cobblestoned city

Ron and Ann browse along Samovodene Shopping Street

Mal finds a wooden wall piece made by this woodcarver

Looking for a tavern in this Old Town, Don?  You're in front of it!

Colorful  buildings containing small workshops, master goldsmiths, potters, carvers, pastry cooks

Restaurant in nearby Arbanasi located on mountain pass that controlled trade route from Asia Minor to Balkans and flourished in 17th/18thC

Enjoyed typical Bulgarian cuisine of salad of cucumber and tomato slices with wedge of lettuce in middle, beef stew pots, and local beer

Hadzhi Ilyeva House is typical 17thC merchant's home in historic village of stately homes

Local lady crocheting in front of wall of her sewn items

We were treated to a "concert" by these four priests

Church of the Nativity contains colorful frescoes of 3,500 figures

Plain exterior - church was actually hidden during WW11 to preserve it

Elegant tapestries in hallway of former palace

Margaret:  This photo is for you....