We will visit 4 remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites:

•  The 4 century BCE Tomb of Sveshtary, a remarkable monument of Thracian Art . Perfect as an architecture and paintings with vibrant colors;

•  The coastal town-museum of Nessebur, founded by Thracians in the 2 millennium BCE, which is one of the oldest in Europe;




                              The Sveshtary Tomb, 4 -3 c. BCE

- The Boyana Church in Sofia, 1259, with frescoes created 200 years before the European Renaissance, mark a remarkable peak in Eastern Christian Art;

- The Rila Monastery in the gorgeous mountain Rila, treasures masterpieces of Orthodox icon and mural painting.

- Lectures will introduce the traditions and historical development of Bulgarian art and culture through the centuries.

SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Site One: Sofia

Founded more than 7,000 years ago, Bulgaria's capital has long been an important crossroads between Asia Minor and Europe. Sofia's monuments attest to the many cultures and civilizations that flourished here. Lectures introduce Bulgarian history, architecture, art and culture. Field trips take us to the National Museum of History, the ancient Serdica Fortifications; 4-century St. George's Rotunda; 6-century St. Sophia Basilica; 13 century Boyana Church, a World Heritage Site; St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and                                          St.George's Rotunda, 4 c.
icons museum; the National Art
Gallery; and a modern Bulgarian art gallery. Excursions include the American University and Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We meet artists and students, have a Bulgarian language lesson, and enjoy a musical performance.

Site Two: Bansko

This small town in southwestern Bulgaria lies at the foothills of the gorgeous Pirin Mountains and its World Natural Heritage listed National Park. The old quarter was declared a museum town. Bansko is also famed for icon painting and woodcarving. Lectures address the town's architectural and artistic heritage. Field trips introduce museum houses, churches, exhibitions, and artisan workshops. We have excursions to Mt. Pirin National Park; the town-museum of Melnik amid virtual pyramids of sand and limestone; Rozhen monastery; picturesque village-museums in the Rhodope Mountains; and an old wine cellar. We have a folk dinner in a traditional tavern with local cuisine and music and attend a folk music concert.

Site Three: Pamporovo

Pamporovo sits at 5,400' amid dazzling scenery in the heart of the Rhodopes Mountains. Legend says the enchanting beauty of these mountains inspired mythological Orpheus, who tamed wild beasts with the heavenly music of his lyre. Lectures address nature and architecture. During field trips we explore the mountain resort architecture; the town of Smolyan, settled since the Thracians; the Bachkovo Monastery, founded in 1083; and the Roman Forum and Mosaic in the town of Stara Zagora. We enjoy spectacular views at 6,300' during an excursion to Snezhanka Peak and hear a concert of Rhodopean folk music.

Site Four: Nessebur

Situated on a small Black Sea peninsula, the museum town of Nessebur - a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its well preserved late Byzantine churches - is one of the oldest in Europe. Its fortifications and churches exude the spirit of Thracians, Hellenes, Romans, Slavs, and Byzantines. Remarkably beautiful are brightly painted 18- and 19-century traditional timber houses and cobbled streets leading to the sea. Lectures present Nessebur's history, architecture, and culture. Field trips explore the town and its museum, remains of Byzantine fortifications, churches and public buildings; museum villages in the Balkan Mountains. We attend a musical performance and a carpet-weaving workshop.

Nessebur

Jeravna

Site Five: Veliko Turnovo

Perched on steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, Veliko Turnovo's narrow, lantern-lit streets wind past ancient ruins and unique architecture. The capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom (1185-1396), it was the birthplace of Bulgaria's first constitution. Lectures address history, culture, art, architecture, and 19-century master builder Kolyo Ficheto. We take field trips to the medieval fortress of Tsarevets Hill; Old Town churches and public buildings; the museum villages of Arbanassi and Tryavna; and the famous 4 century BC Thracian tomb in Kazanluk, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have excursions to the Etura open-air architecture museum and the Monument of Liberation at historic Shipka Pass. We also attend a "Sound and Light" show.

Site Six: Plovdiv

Thracians founded Plovdiv during the Neolithic period in the 2 millennium BC. Built on seven lowland hills, Plovdiv contains more than 150 houses designated as cultural monuments that preserve unique treasures from 24 centuries of history. Lectures focus on archaeology, history, architecture, arts, and preservation, with field trips to the Old Quarter's traditional houses and cobblestone streets; the unique architectural style of Main Street with its early 20-century buildings; 17-century Turkish Dzhumaya Mosque; and 19-century St. Constantine and Helene church, displaying masterpieces of icon and mural painting. We have field trips to the Roman Forum, Stadium and Amphitheater, and to an art gallery.