About Arbanassi
Arbanassi was founded in the late 15th centry by Christians coming from the
south-western parts of the Balkan peninsula -
Bulgarians,
Greeks, Albanisans. It was ruled for number of decades by different Ottoman
notables. By the mid 16 th. Centry it
became property of Roustem pasha, the Grand Vizir to the Sultan of the Ottoman
Empire.
The population was granted many privileges and paid reduced taxes, providing the
safety of the pass nearby in return. These
favourable conditions brought the settlement to a considerable
prosperity
and attracted new settlers.
The wealthy Arbanassi merchants were actively involted in international trade
and had established close link with Italy,
Austro-Hungary, Russia, Wallahia and Italia. They carried out significant
transactions between European towns and Istanbul. A
good number of crafts flourished in the village-goldsmith's, coppersmith's,
blacksmith's, sericulture and silk-worm breeding.
The diverse character of the population, its economic might and the
intensive
contacts with many countries were the main
condition for the creation of an original culture Unique are the architectural
and religions monuments that have come down to
us from the 17th.and 18th.centuries - houses, streets, fountains churches, and
monasteries, mural painting, iconostases and
icons.
The Konstantsaliev's house was built in the 17th century. The basement
was
built of stone. The main entrance was protected
with a solid studded door. Although the premises are spacious and roomy, the
large house fortress emanates coziness and
warmth. This is additiunally emphasized by the rich decoration. The owner must
have been a rich man with a sophisticated
taste, while the master-builder must have been talented for creative work
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