2. Museums- a way to preserve our heritage

3. Museums in Bulgaria The first museum in Bulgaria was founded in 1891 and since then a lot more were created: History museums Archeological museums Architectural reserves Ethnographic complexes

4. Museums in Veliko Tarnovo and the region Architectural reserve Arabanasi Archeological museum Veliko Tarnovo Ethnographic complex Etara “National Revival and Constituent Aassembly” museum Veliko Tarnovo

5. “National Revival and Constituent Aassembly” museum The building was built by the famous Revival muster builder Kolyo Ficheto in 1872.

6. The exhibition shows the development of the Christian art during the period of Ottoman domination and the economic development of Tarnovo and the region in the period of the Renaissance. On the third floor is restored the hall of the Constituent Assembly where the First Bulgarian constitution was signed in 1879.

7. Architectural reserve Arabanasi Arbanasi village was found in XIV by noble Bulgarian aristocracy. During the centuries it developed and reached a great economic growth.

8. There are unique houses decorated with rich wood- carvings, wall- paintings and different ornaments. Other remarkable things in the reserves are the old churches and the two monasteries.

9. Archeological museum The Archaeological museum houses an exposition that traces out thousand year old history and culture of the region of Tarnovo.

10. Findings of different periods are presented- prehistory and antiquity as well as the cultural achievements of Tarnovgrad as a capital during XII – XIVc.

11. The museum comprises 50 sites – water technical equipment, houses with craftsman's workshops, places with social importance. The aim of the museum display is showing the architecture, the life style and the economic past of Gabrovo region during the Revival period. Architectural- ethnographic complex “Etara”

12. More than 26 main crafts were developed in the town.

13. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.