On a strategic position before the Balkan passes leading from the Danube to Constantinople, Veliko Turnovo was capital of the Bulgarian Kingdom for more than 200 years from 1185 until 1393. It is picturesquely situated among the hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, Momina Fortress and Sveta Gora, and along the banks of Yantra River, the beautiful river winding around them.
The medieval town was made up by the fortress built on the Tsarevets hill and protected on three sides by the Yantra River, and the beautiful “Asenova Mahala” (Asens’ Quarter) the old medieval quarter at the foot of the fortified hill.
During the economic development of the Revival period beautiful houses and churches were built, Gurko street and Samovodska Charshia quarter with its traditional crafts work shops, look exactly like they were in the xix century.
Crossing the Stambolov’s Bridge, you’ll end up in front of the Monument of the Asens and the City Art Gallery at the foot of Sveta Gora hill.
Don’t miss to stop at the Cathedral the church of the Birth of the Holy Virgin.
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Samovodska Charshia Traditional Arts and Crafts
The Samovodska Charshia is the old craftsmen and market place of the early xix century. The quarter consists of restored houses of the National Revival and the Post-Liberation periods, from the second half to the end of the xix century. There are varieties of artisans and craftsmen's workshops that recreate the old atmosphere. Old Turnovo houses with glazed verandas and balconies overlook the street, surrounded by lovely wrought iron parapets. Can’t miss the
'House with the Monkey' and the statue of revolutionary politician Stefan N. Stambolov born in Veliko
Turnovo.
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Veliko Turnovo
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Tsarevets Hill
During the period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 – 1395), Tsarevets Hill fortress was the medieval capital of the largest and the most powerful state in
South eastern Europe. Protected by solid walls with the shape of an irregular polygon a drawbridge on a narrow rocky isthmus and three
gates used to lead to the fortress. The central part of the hill was the place of the fortified
King's Palace. It was surrounded by an inner stonewall, behind which there were also the Throne Hall, the Royal Church, and the royal chambers. At the top of the hill above the King's Palace today the restored Lord’s Ascension
Patriarchal Church stands with its imposing belfry. The interior has been decorated in 1985 with modern wall painting, representing the history and culture of Medieval Bulgaria. Tsarevets Hill finishes in its
north eastern end with Lobna Skala (Rock of the executions) protruding over the Yantra River, from here traitors were thrown down. In medieval times, the slopes of the hill were studded with residential districts and craftsmen's quarters, numerous churches and monasteries.
Today Tsarevets Hill is an archaeological site with restored mediaeval walls, the so called Baldwin Tower, the royal palace and the Residence of Patriarch, moreover archaeologists have found remnants of more than 400 public and residential buildings and of 18 medieval churches.
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The churches at the Asenova Mahala
The quarter on the two sides of the river between Tsarevets and Trapezitsa Hill where the residential districts and craftsmen's quarters of the old medieval town, the Аssenova Mahala (Assen’s quarter), constituted the “external town”. Here 4 important churches are located St. Dimitur Solunski church, St. Georgi church, church of the Forty Holy Martyrs and St.
Peter and Pavel church. An old pedestrian route leads from Tsarevets Hill to the churches Sveti Peter i Pavel (Sts. Peter and Paul) and Sveti Dimiter (St. Demetrios) via the so-called
Bishop's Bridge.
The St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki Church (St. Dimitar St. Dimitur Solunski) on the right bank of Yantra is the oldest medieval church in Turnovo (xii century). Its architecture, characteristic of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, belongs to the so-called picturesque style, with rich facade decorations. Destroyed a number of times (xviii, xix centuries) it has been reconstructed on 1985. From the original building the apse and some fresco fragments of the xii and xiv centuries have been preserved.
The St. Peter and Pavel Church the better preserved church from Medieval Turnovgrad. Built in the xiii-xiv century the church belongs to the cruciform type of the so-called picturesque style. The facades are decorated with arched niches, glazed cups and flowers. Partially preserved mural paintings of the xiii-xiv century.
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Veliko Turnovo
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Sveta Gora and the monument of the Assens
Crossing the Stambolov’s bridge is Sveta Gora the third hill of the medieval Turnovgrad. Today the buildings of the St. Cyril and Methodius University rise on the place of the old Holy Virgin Odigitriya monastery and, in front of it, the monuments to the Assens Dynasty located on a beautiful terrace of the Borouna peninsula, rising above the Yantra and offering a magnificent view towards the old town and its houses perched one above the other. The monument is dedicated to the Bulgarian kings Assen
1st, Peter, Kaloyan and Ivan Assen 2nd, the sovereigns, during which reign (xii-xiii centuries) the Bulgarian Medieval State with Tarnovgrad as its capital reached its highest point.
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