Old Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1187-1393) is located on three hills which are called Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora. These are surrounded by the Yantra River Above its gorges austere rocks rise towards the sky. The houses are one above the other on the rocks.

Tsarevets Hill is a natural inaccessible fortress where the royal palace, the patriarchate, and a multitude of small cross-domed churches were built. Baldwin's Tower which is situated in the hill's south-eastern part, is a sign of the victory of the Bulgarian Tsar Kaloyan over the knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1205, and was eventually restored in 1930-32.

Trapezitsa Hill can be found on the opposite side of the Yantra River. Remains of the fortress on this hill have been discovered here. A certain amount of medieval churches as old as the Second Bulgarian Kingdom have been preserved in the Assenev quarter. The St. Dimiter of Salonika church has a magnificent exterior with brick decorations. “The Holy 40 Martyrs” church preserved the oldest Biblical calendar in the Eastern Orthodox world, alongside the columns of Khan Omourtag and of Tsar Ivan Assen II - two of the few written monuments of Bulgarian medieval history.

During the period from 12th to 14th century Sveta Gora Hill was the Bulgaria's spiritual and cultural centre. In the Veliko Turnovo school of literature and painting the world the Manassiev Chronicle and the Tetraevangelia of Tsar Ivan Alexander were created. Its traditions has a significant and lasting influence on the whole of south-eastern Europe.

Not only had Veliko Tarnovo been a medieval capital, but it also was a National Revival city. Its 18th-19th century houses seem to grow right out of the steep slopes covering the river banks. Gurko Street shows off a beautiful example of an architectural ensemble.