After cookies and shopping we visited Arbanassi just up the hill. This town was situated in a mountain pass that controlled the trade routes going from Asia Minor to the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria. It is a very, very old town.. as are a lot of places around here. It was a merchant town and we visited one of the most prominent ones of its time.

The real highlight though was a visit to their Nativity Church whose interior was painted with at least 200 scenes from the bible. It is again an Eastern Orthodox Church, only this one had makeshift chairs attached to the walls. They were purposely not comfortable... just a very narrow seat that you kind of had to lean upon, but at least you didn't have to stand unsupported during the hours of the service. The frescos were quite amazing and original. They had been cleaned (except a very small area in each room to show the people how black the burning candles made the walls). In the churches here today candles are lit outside in two areas, one for living people and one for the dead. The frescos told the story since most of the people were illiterate in those days. Men and women prayed in separate rooms. The frescos in the men's area focused on Jesus, whereas the pictures in the women's room paid homage to Mary and the women saints.

While we were there we were treated with a twenty minute concert by four priests. They sang a cappella chants so beautifully it gave me chills. They sang in the early language of the church. It was so great that Michael and I bought the CD with the funds going toward maintaining the church as a museum. The lady who explained about the church had wonderful English and made it all so understandable.
 

Driving into the little village of Arbanassi:

Entrance to the church:

Since this was an Orthodox Church it had to look different from the outside as the Turks who were in power during the early days of this village would not allow arched ceilings or to be higher than a man
sitting on a horse. That way the soldiers parading around could keep tabs on the people. From the inside however you can see arches where as the roof is not arched. Remember that most people could not read so the walls and ceiling were covered with pictures that told the bible stories or of the saints they learned about. There is a section for men and a section for women...and actually the women's side was the prettiest! Naturally!

                                                           This is the group of priests who treated us by performing some beautiful chants.