Rila Monastery

Alex, a lecturer, art historian and leader for ACE Cultural Tours, describes his special interest on his travels as art and architecture.  Bulgaria has a rich and varied art and architectural heritage, with many surprising and little-known features and sites. The historic sites are set within the beautiful and unspoilt scenery of the Balkan mountains, Danube Plains and Black Sea Coast.

We travel across this diverse country, carpeted in thick forest and studded with snow-capped peaks, visiting a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites, early Bulgar cities and decorated monasteries, some with intricate murals, unique in the entire eastern Orthodox world.

Asenovgrad Fortress

Samokov mosque

Old Metropolitanate, Nesabar

Fresco on the exterior of the Church of the Holy Archangels, Arbanasi

“Kubilica” yoke-shaped arch, Sarafina house, Samokov

Black Sea coast near Varna