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Centralsouth Bulgaria > Assenovgrad > Landmarks
Landmarks in AssenovgradThe Museum of History (1, Trakia Square, tel.: 0331 22150) is in the centre of the town with its three sections: Archaeology, Revival Period and Ethnography. Ethnographic Exhibition on Lifestyle in the Old Town (31, Stanimaka Str., tel.: 0331 24030) is accommodated in a renaissance style building dating back to 19th century, presenting the domestic style of living and culture of a wealthy family in the town. The working hours for the two museums are from Monday through Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. There is also a Paleontology Museum, established as a branch of the Bulgarian Academy of Science in 1995. It is housed in the ex-youth house in Badelema Area. The exibits include skletons and fossils of animals, having lived 7-8 million years ago. A major sample is that of Dinoterrium Giganteum a giant animal, quite similar to the elephant. This is the only skeleton of such an animal, found in Bulgaria, which is very well preserved. Tel.: 0331 23736, working hours: Monday through Friday, 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m., Saturdays - 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Sundays - closed. Vine and Winery Museum (6, Bulair Str.). Extremely valuable church in the town is St. Joan Predtecha Church (The Precursor) dating back to 13th-14th centuries, which has one nave, with three-wall abcide without nartex. St. George (Ambelinski) Church (Georgi Benkovski Str. in Ambelino Quarter) looks like a natural continuation of the steep mountainous hills, with stone columns and three domes, one of which has a 12-wall shape and a high belfry. Constructed by master builders, this church is one of the most representative and imposing temples of the Revival Period. Another remarkable church is St. Georgi (Metoshki) Church erected in 18th century on the foundations of an old church from 12th century. The highly artistic wall paintings are drawn by Zakhari Zograf. He is also did the wall paintings in the temple and spring St. Joan Predtecha (The Precursor), next to the St. Holy Virgin - Annunciation Church (1836). The Holy Virgin Church (2, Radi Ovchaarov Str.), the so called The Deep Church, built in 1765 on the foundations of an older church, destroyed by the Turks. It has a marvellous wooden iconostasis of walnut tree, carved and painted by the masters of art from the Debar Art School. St. Dimitur Church was built in 1866. Special interest deserves the D. Shterevs piece of art Noahs Ark because of its extremely rare iconography. The town has several old houses of the Revival time with original architecture and beautiful wood-carvings (for example, the houses at 30, Stamenka Str. and at 2, Bachkovska Str.).
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