The latest of series of articles about the Bulgarian real estate market in International Herald Tribune explores the Veliko Turnovo region – it is far from the sea and ski resorts, but has become one of most popular places in Bulgaria to buy a second home, especially for the British.
Veliko Turnovo‘ s varied past is reflected in its architecture. Founded by the Romans, it was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire from 1185 to 1393, when it fell after a three month siege to the Ottoman Turks, who controlled the entire region until the late 19th century.
The town’ s natural fortifications are visually stunning. It is surrounded on all sides by the Balkan mountain range, from which the peninsula takes its name, and overlooks the Yantra River, which snakes through a valley far below.
The wooden Turnovo houses have white washed facades, oak balconies and roofs of red ceramic tiles.
In the past several years, about 10 Ottoman-era houses were sold to Britons intent on high-end restorations. Most of them were registered as national monuments of culture, so government approval was required before any changes could be made.
Some of the finest examples of Ottoman-era houses are in the village of Arbanassi, about five kilometers, or three miles, away on a hill overlooking the city. Because the entire village is classified as a national monument, the building materials are strictly defined: oak, sandstone, red ceramic roof tiles, traditional straw and plaster walls.’
You can live comfortably in a national monument of culture for only 20,000 to 40,000 euros, however the cost of restoration is estimated between 50,000 and 130,000 euros.
There is a numbe of projects that are focused on building artifical “villages” in traditional Bulgarian style around some of the springs.