Veliko Turnovo Things to Do

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Tsarevets castle compound is a mediaeval stronghold located on the hill with the same name. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces. It is now the most popular tourist attraction in the town.

Until this date there has been 22 churches, 2 monasteries and lots of dwellings and craftsmans shops unearthed inside the walls (which were once up to 12 metres high) acording to the information plaques.

There were three gates to protect the fortress of which now the outer one has been restored, hte other are original.

Opening hours:
08.00 - 19.00 April - October
09.00 - 17.00 November - March

Buses 20,40,50 and 110 can be used to get there.

I happened to be there on September 22 and could watch the celebrations of the anniver-
sary of the liberation from the Turks, which was declared on that date 1908 in the 40 Martyr's Church just down the the street from the fortress .

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The church was erected on the order of Tsar Ivan Assen II in honour of his victory over the Byzantine troops at Klokotnitsa, on March 9, 1230. It was later considerably damaged during the Ottoman domination, when it was turned into a mosque and the wall paintings washed over with lime. Some of the paintings have however been rescued. The most valuable remains from the original church are three columns with inscriptions: Assen's column with an inscription dedicated to his victory; Omurtag's (814 - 831) column with an inscription describing the building activities; and the column with an inscription of Khan Krum (9th century).

On September 22, 1908, Prince Ferdinand declared Bulgaria's independence in this church which is now celibrated at the Tsaravets Fortress every year with high politicians and religious leaders coming to town to participate in the celebrations.

In 1972 a tomb and a solid gold signet ring with an inscription “Kaloyan’s Ring” was found in the northeastern part of the church. According to experts, this is the tomb of Tsar Kaloyan.

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This church is one of few churches which has been working since the medieval times. It was built in the 13th century. There are three layers of paintings inside the chuch, the oldest being from the building, the newest one being a Greek church calendar from the 17th century and all the other from the 16th century.

The entrance fee is a 6 Lv optional BUT compulsory (!) donation to the upkeep of the church, and an other 5 Lv if you want to take photos.

This is/was the oldest church in Veliko Turnovo, built in 1185. The same year the brothers Assen and Petar announced the rebellion against the Byzantine empire in the very church, and proclaimed Turnovo capital in their empire. This led to the famous Second Bulgarian Empire which lasted until 1396.
At the turn of the 18 and 19th centuries the church was sacked by nomad bandits, called Kardjalii.
But that wasn't enough, in an earthquake in 1913 it was nearly completely destroyed. Only the apse with fragments of the original frescoes survived. It was later restored and started functioning as a museum in 1985, 800 years after its original inauguration.
A Thracian sanctuary have been found close to the edifice during excavations.

Sadly the church/museum is not open to visitors without prior arrangement.

The Archaeological Museum was founded in 1892 and is Bulgaria's oldest museum. It is housed in the Buyuk Mosque, which is the oldest of the former Ottoman mosques in the city (built in the 15th century).
In the museum you can see Thracian, Roman and Greek as well as Bulgarian finds. It is said that there are 1,3 million coins and ancient artefacts amongst other finds!

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Remnants on Tsarevets Hill date back to the end of the Bronze Era (13th century BC). This oldest settlement was inhabited by Thracians and existed by the end of the Iron Era. It is the third capital of Bulgaria (1185-1193) after Pliska and Preslav. The city has two fortified hillls – Trapezitza and Tsarevets with the tsar’s residence and the residence of the Bulgarian patriarch. Today the wall of the fortress, towers and gates and churches can be seen.

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Samovedene Street has been a shopping street since the Middle Ages. It is for pedestrians only, lined with shops and featuring craftsmen at work. Side streets have some interesting 19th Century houses. Access to one end of Samovedene Street is up a flight of stairs by a small square.

The fortress is the main attraction - 6lev entry but nice old ruins and good views from the church at the top

Arbanasi - very old village 3km out of VT, high up with great views and a quiet feel. 30 churches in all but only 3 are accessible. Nativity church is very old and 3lev entry, also Dimitar church is free but cant go in.

Old town-just walk around the old cobbled streets of the old town and stop to look at the shops selling hand made items