Property in Veliko Tarnovo municipality - The ancient capital of Bulgaria

Artifacts from Tsarevets Hill have been dated from the Chalcolithic Era 4200 BC, sometimes known as the Copper Age. The oldest settlement of Veliko Tarnovo was inhabited by Thracians and was a respectable size by the end of the Iron Age around 100 BC. History during the first centuries of the Roman Empire era is lost around Tsarevets but is very clear around neighbouring Nikyup village. From the 5th century there was a large Byzantium fortified town which sat on the Tsarevets Hill and withstood sieges and attacks for 3 centuries. Late in the 7th century a large Avar-Slav-Bulgar attack crushed the settlement and from the 8th to 10th century a new town was founded on the ruins of 12 previous centuries of buildings. By the end of the 10th century, Tsarevets hill was densely populated and in the 12th century the settlement was reinforced with a boyar's residential complex and a few Christian buildings erected.

The origin of Veliko Tarnovo descends from the Slavonic word "tern" or "trun" (thorn) and during the years it developed into Trunov, Tarnov, Tarnovgrad, Tarnovo and Veliko Tarnovo, being called "Veliko" (Great) in relation to its splendour, size and high rank of social importance. In 1187 the Uprising of Asen and Petar successfully removed the Byzantine rule and Tarnovgrad became the capital city of the restored Bulgarian Kingdom. During the two hundred years that followed the Tsar's Palace and the Bulgarian Patriarchy were built on Tsarevets Hill and the residences of the boyars and the senior Christian priesthood along with temples and churches were constructed on Trapezitsa Hill, on the opposite side separated by the River Yantra. Assenova Mahala between the two hills and on the banks of the River Yantra was inhabited by artisans. Tsarevets Hill was fully fortified with a 2.6 metre thick wall which spanned across the top of the sheer cliffs of Tsarevets Hill for just over 2km! The Palace of the Bulgarian Kings was an independently fortified group of properties on a flat terrace near the top of Tsarevets Hill and covered 4,800m2, separated from the rest of Tsarevets development by a massive fortified wall and 5 observation towers with two entrances.

The palace and the Patriarchate, which was the residence of the Patriarchs of Tarnovgrad on the highest point of Tsarevets Hill, were both destroyed after 3 months of siege by the troops of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid the 1st, during the Summer of 1393. In fact the whole town was burnt to ashes and centuries later the town gradually revitalised itself and consequently experienced an economic upturn with a cultural and political upsurge during the Revival period. Commerce and crafts developed and flourished, stunning houses and public buildings were built along with churches being commissioned, many of these by the talented Master Builder and Architect Kolyu Ficheto who contributed to the ecclesiastical and national independence movement which was gaining support and strength.

In fact between 1598 to 1700 several Tarnovo uprisings occurred and during the 1800's there were many rebellious uprisings in and around Veliko Tarnovo, a dark month being the April uprising of 1876 when Bacho Kiro, Tsanko Dyustabanov and many other fighters for freedom were hung from the wooden gallows built in the town square, and to this day you can see a monument commemorating these brave freedom fighters. Vasil Levski, the Apostle of Freedom, came to Veliko Tarnovo on many occasions, his last visit being in December 1872 just after Christmas, sadly in iron shackles and chains after being captured in Lovech and interrogated over the New Year in Veliko Tarnovo, before being sent to Sofia on the 4th January 1873 where he was to meet his death by hanging.

On the 7th July 1877 Veliko Tarnovo regained its freedom thanks to Russian General Joseph Vladimirovich Gurko who headed the Russian army liberating the town after 480 years of Ottoman rule. In 1878, the Principality of Bulgaria was created and endorsed by the Treaty of Berlin. The geographical area being between the Danube to the north and the Stara Planina mountain range to the south with its head seat being situated in the Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo. On 17 April 1879, the first Assembly of Bulgaria gathered in Veliko Tarnovo to ratify Bulgaria's 1st constitution, named as the "Tarnovo Constitution", in July Alexander Battenberg was elected as Bulgaria's knyaz (first prince) and the same year resulted in the commitment to transfer Parliament from Tarnovo to Sofia which meant that Bulgaria became the only country in Europe to have a capital city not positioned on navigable water! On the 5th October 1908, Tsar Ferdinand Saxe-Coburg Gotha declared Bulgaria's complete independence at the St Forty Martyrs Church in Veliko Tarnovo, as opposed to Sofia, out of respect for all the brave Bulgarians involved in the uprisings and eventual independence from the Ottomans! As recent as 1965, Veliko Tarnovo received the word "Veliko", since before it was officially known as Tarnovo, Veliko means great and commemorates this wonderful towns illustrious and historical past.

What to do in Veliko Tarnovo?

The list is endless! However these are just a few suggestions;
The Tsarevets Hill - Archaeological Reserve, Fortress and Stronghold in the eastern part of the town - massive fortified walls, the Patriarch's Church on the pinnacle of the hill, which in combination with the natural cliffs and gorges where the Yantra River flows provides breathtaking beauty, grandeur and views! Recently in summer, during the evenings opera is performed and orchestras perform, and it is well worth an evening enjoying the spectacle and music.

Samovodska Charshia - Samovodska market square is where the residents of neighbouring Samovodene village traded their vegetables, fruits and other products after 1850. The market thrived and grew down the attractive and old fashioned Rakovski street, home to Hadji Nikoli's inn which was built 1858 and has been lovingly renovated to a restaurant with courtyard and art gallery. There is a bakery and so many various traditional craft workshops including; icon painting, traditional weaving, pottery, knife manufacturing, copper utensils, wood carving and turning.

The St Forty Holy Martyrs Church - is located at the western foot of Tsarevets Hill, between the river and the road and is accessed by walking under the Yantra River stone bridge at the bottom of the road and at the foot of Tsarevets Fortress. It was built during Tsar Ivan Assen II reign, in honor of his great victorious battle against the Byzantines at Klokotnitsa on 22nd March 1230. It is a 6 columned basilica with 3 semi-circular apses and a narrow narthex to the west. During the 18th century the Ottomans converted it into a mosque however it is famed for still having preserved some of the Bulgarian Empire's most significant records, namely the columns with writing on them from the Bulgarian Khans including Omurtag's column, Asen's column and the Border Column from Rodosto during the time of Khan Krum. Asen's column reads: "in the year 6379 (from the creation of the world and from Christ 1230), 3rd indict, I, Ivan Asen, in Christ God the faithful Tsar and autocrat of the Bulgars, son of the old Tsar Asen, rose from the ground and with paintings decorated to the end the honourable that church in the name of SS. Forty Martyrs, with whose help in the 12th year of my rule during which this temple was painted, I set forth on a march to Romania and defeated the Greek troops, and I have captured the Emperor himself, Theodore Comnenus with all his Boyars, (noblemen), and the whole land from Odrin to Drach I conquered, Greek, Albanian and Serbian; and the towns and fortresses around Constantinople (Istanbul) and the town ruled the Franks, but they subordinated under the hand of my kingdom, because they have no other king but I, and thanks to me they have lived, because God ordered so, because without him neither deed, nor word can do. His is the glory in all the time. Amen". 1.9 metre tall Tsar Kaloyan's tomb and his 61-gram gold ring-seal were found in October 1972 during excavations and in 2007 the church was fully restored and re-opened for visitors.

Stepping Back In Time - General Gurko Street, named after the Russian General that liberated Veliko Tarnovo from the Ottoman on 7th July 1877. This is the old main street of the old Tarnovo town. The houses down this street were built during the revival period of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The street has seen little modernisation and is a photographer and artists paradise since the sunlight and shadows against old architecture, hanging vines and trees create one-off artistic opportunities. From Gurko Street are spectacular views of the Asen Dynasty monument and the Boris Denev Art Gallery next door, both worth visiting by walking round and over the old iron bridge which takes you across the River Yantra.

Sarafkina Kushta - whilst on Gurko Street why not take refuge from the mid afternoon heat by calling in the cool Sarafkina House. Built in 1861 as the home and business premises of a wealthy money lender. This spectacular five storey building has endured the construction of a railway tunnel directly below it and the 1913 earthquake that flattened tracts of Tarnovo; however the massive stone construction built directly onto the rock has provided a resilient footing for this property. It has retained its original features and decor and it’s now an ethnographic museum exhibiting jewellery, clothing and costumes, clothing, breads and arts and crafts. The second floor presents a large collection of interesting period photos of local scenes, figures and families.

The Sound and Light Show - is a unique attraction in Europe and on par with the Red Fort Sound and Light Show in Delhi the Pyramids of Giza Sound and Light Show, Egypt and the Blood on the Southern Cross, Eureka, Australia! Shows of this calibre can only be seen in a few other locations in the world. Through moody music and vivid illumination, this programme of sound and light recreates the turbulent history of the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom, the fall under the Ottoman Empire and the eventual liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 after the Russia - Turkish war. The music was composed especially for the show. In 1987 the first performance was presented to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the brothers Asen and Petar’s uprising of 1187. Celebrating the declaration of independence, there are free shows on September 22 and 23 every year and on the 22nd there is a spectacular firework display also. During other National holidays the sound and light show is often shown and to have a private showing, all you need to do is contact the local tourist agency!

Archaeological Museum - Arguably the oldest pieces of gold found in the world and unique treasure from the Neolithic age are on exhibition along with the biggest collection of pottery in Bulgaria, from the time of the Thracians and Romans, along with well preserved artifacts from the bronze and the Stone Age and many Medieval period exhibits and in the stone garden called the "Lapidarium" are columns, architectural details and statues from the Roman age. In the museum building you will also discover the town library which has one of the most complete Bulgarian book collections in Bulgaria.

There are so many surprises here in Veliko Tarnovo that perhaps the best way of enjoying it is to wear a good set of shoes, carry a camera and spare batteries and walk along the narrow cobbled streets, across the River Yantra's bridges and stop off frequently for a well earned drink and try local Bulgarian delicacies at the numerous bars and bakers and cafes!

Alternative spellings of Veliko Tarnovo: Veliko Turnovo, Tarnovo, Turnovo, VT, Veliko Tyrnovo, Велико Търново
Nearest Towns: Gorna Oryahovitsa – 9km, Dryanovo - 24km
Nearest Villages: Arbanasi - 5km, Prisovo - 6km, Malki Chiflik - 5km
Area size of town 30.379km2
Altitude 100 - 199m above sea level
Post code for Veliko Tarnovo Town - 5000
Latitude: 43.086N Longitude: 25.656E
Hide information about Veliko Tarnovo