site.btaPM Bliznashki Pledges Lv 30,000 for Digging, Conservation of Monastery Complex

PM Bliznashki Pledges Lv 30,000 for Digging, Conservation of  Monastery Complex

Veliko Turnovo, North Central Bulgaria, September 23 (BTA) -
Prime Minister Georgi Bliznashki pledged that 30,000 leva would
be provided for excavations at and conservation of a newly found
monastery complex near Veliko Turnovo. Visiting the town on
Monday, he went round the findings made by Prof Hitko Vachev's
team of archaeologists since early September.

Scholars date the monastery built east of the Tsarevets Fortress
to the 1230s and the reign of Tsar Ivan Asen II. It is presumed
to have been used by the Patriarch.

The team found more than 700 fragments of a mosaic icon and over
4,000 fragments of frescos, said Prof Vachev.

The Culture Ministry had provided 20,000 leva for the start of
excavations but a further 30,000 leva are needed for
conservation, he added.

Regarding the October 5 early parliamentary elections,
Bliznashki said he had been assured by the local authorities
that they have made the necessary preparations. VI/DD