Armenian Church of 17th century was found in archaeological excavations by Hitko Stefanov Bashiev and Ilian Petrova Petrakiev in the Bulgarian city of Veliko Tarnovo on the street of Nicola Piccolo.
“The Bulgarian ministry of culture and Institute for monuments preservation are taking steps to recognize the Armenian Church as a cultural and historical monument of the state, as a historical value and evidence of other civilizations and cultures in Bulgaria, Hasmik Dashtoyan, Counselor of the Armenian Embassy in Bulgaria told PanARMENIAN.Net.
According to her, first excavations were conducted in 1989, in 1990 the article “Archaeological findings during excavations of 1989” highlighted the existence of the Armenian Apostolic Church in this area. Next excavations were carried out by Bulgarian scientists Hitko Stefanov Bashiev and Ilian Petrov Petrakiev between April 1 and 30, 2009. Historians discovered that in the 17th century Armenian Church of Holy Virgin was constructed there on the ruins of older Catholic Church. The church was wooden, and therefore fragile. Over time, the Armenian population of the area left, and the church was completely destroyed in the early 20th century.
During excavation stones carved with Armenian letters and ornaments were found.
