Veliko Turnovo Favorites

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Favorite thing: This is one of the city's modern iconic scuptures, located in the park where the river loops through the centre, next door to the Boris Denev Art Gallery. It was commisioned to celebrate the 1985 800th anniversary of the revolt against the Byzantines by Assen the 1st and his brother Petar which led to the establishment of the Bulgarian 2nd Empire and the proclamation of Veliko Turnovo as the Nation's capital.

There are four figures in all, the other two being the subsequent Assen kings, Kaloyan and Ivan who established Bulgaria's position as a leading European state and Veliko Turnovo as a major capital.

Favorite thing: Until the second half of the 19th century beer drinking in Bulgaria was limited to domestically produced brews, usually made at harvest time from germinated barley and allowing a natural fermentation to occur. The first commercial brewery was established in 1876 at Plovdiv and the Bulgarian Brewing Associated founded in 1882 by the Shumensko brewer, the Czech Jin Prosek.

The first brewery at Veliko Turnovo was founded in 1887 and by 1891 the city had three commercial factories, the third of which was built on what is now the site of the present Boliarka brewery. This is a large modern brewery employing, at full production, about 370 people and is Bulgaria's largest independent beer maker - the other main Bulgarian brands being owned by the multi-national companies InBev, Carlsberg and Heineken.

The brewery is located south of the city, close to the railway station, and tours (with tastings of course) can be arranged by first visiting the website

Favorite thing: In the middle of the city centre you'll find the little Tourist Info Centre. I personally didn't have to cause to use it this time round but it looks as if it would be useful. Here you can get a free photocopied city map, accommodation help, general advice on things to do, public transport info and it also acts as booking agents for major local shows and events.

The office is located at ul "Hristo Botev" 5, just off the main street, behind the "Mother Bulgaria war memorial, next to the Etap hotel where the Sophia - Varna buses stop. The website, in English, is well worth a visit with all sorts of useful stuff on it.

Favorite thing: Veliko Tarnovo is very hilly.
The old town and the historic sites are located in several hills crossed by the twisting river Yantra. The valleys where the river flows through are very steep. Obviously this was a perfect location to built a fortress in the middle-ages to protect the tzars of the second Bulgarian Empire.

Fondest memory: Cities on steep hills are the most scennic ones - I know, I'm from one of those cities and no one is an impartial judge defending his own cause, but many people will agree with me.
The beauty is not only in the old parts, in the streets with incline and in the broad views. It's also for instance in the modern roads and railways that cross the river fords in bridges over the water but lower than the hills, soon to disappear in tunnels underneath the city.

There are plenty of view points where you can feel like a bird, in the fortress as well as in the old town.

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Favorite thing: The lower end (heading towards Tsarevets and the river) of the city's main street is ul Stefan Stambolov, a former revolutionary and later Bulgarian Prime Minister who was born here in Veliko Turnovo. On this street there are gaps between the rows of buildings with some interesting gable ends. Also the gaps have been paved to make for scenic viewpoints over the river and the city - check out the pics!

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Favorite thing: The city is very interesting in night - lights everywhere , people going round,full cafes and restaurants.Just great atmosphere .

Fondest memory: yeah...what I missed this time was to go to a club.I remember,9 years ago we were on a trip with my classmates and 2 days we were parting - day and night.

Favorite thing: The new tourist info office is a small, bright and attractive building.
The staff are friendly and try to be helpful.

They have only a limited amount of literature available, but are happy to explain and advise.
There is a photo-copied map available for free.

Located in the center of town on Hristo Botev 5
Open Monday - Friday; 0900 -1200 and 1300 - 1800

Fondest memory: Learned from them about the private bus company, Grup plus, for the long trip back to Sofia.
Wouldn't have known about it otherwise.

Also they told me about bus no. 20 to return to the centre of town from the Tsaravets Fortress.
As it turned out, bus #40 runs the same route, and that is the one I took.

Favorite thing: Banks and most museums are closed on both Sunday and Monday. Be sure you have enough cash on Saturday to carry you through the two-day hiatus.

I have been informed that this info is in error. It was a one-time phenomenon. Banks are usually open on Mondays, closed Sundays.