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| Travel Guide to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria: What to See and Do | ||
As one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is steeped in five thousand years of history. This small, picturesque city is home to one of Europe’s grandest medieval monuments, the Tsaravets Fortress. If you have never been to Bulgaria before, this is certainly one of the country’s must-see destinations. What Veliko Tarnovo lacks in beach resorts and high-end shopping, it more than compensates in authenticity and beauty.Veliko Tarnovo was built on three hills: Tsaravets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora. Its attractive landscape has the Yantra River running through it. Brutally hot summers and freezing winters make spring and fall the best seasons to visit. Besides Tsaravets Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo contains orthodox churches, museums, and a charming old town paved with cobblestones.While there aren’t enough sightseeing opportunities to hold you for more than a three to four days, Veliko Tarnovo fortunately has several good restaurants and hotel options. History buffs and wine enthusiasts will also have great day trip opportunities from the city. The nearby village of Arbanassi makes for the perfect tranquil weekend getaway. Other choices include trips to the ancient ruins of the Roman city Nikopolis ad Istrum and the quaint Maryan boutique winery.It is fairly easy to get around Veliko Tarnovo; almost everything is in walking distance or a short taxi drive away. The city is serviced by several roads, a nearby airport, and is located just 142 miles from the capital city of Sofia. What to See and Do The best place to start is the Tourist Information Centre (ul. Hristo Botev 5 / +359 62 622 148) in the main square near the post office. It is open seven days a week April through October, and Monday through Friday November through March. Here you’ll have access to brochures, maps, postcards, and a staff of helpful locals who can answer any questions.After getting the information you need, the first thing you should do is to go explore the highlight of the city, Tsaravets Fortress. The fortress is surrounded with 3,000 feet of stone walls, some of which have a thickness of over 11 feet and height of 36 feet. Once past the main gate, it is fairly easy to navigate the fortress on foot. There is a gentle incline and path, but visitors are essentially free to walk anywhere and climb anything they like.Head to the top of the hill if you want to see the dramatic modernist murals in the Church of the Ascension. For 2 BGN you can ride the scenic elevator to the top for panoramic views. Below the church, on a lower level, you’ll see Baldwin Tower. Legend has it that this is where Count Baldwin of Flanders was imprisoned by Tsar Kaloyan in the year 1205. Here there is a picnic area with a refreshment stand. There are also public toilets and plenty of shade from which to take a moment to admire the beautiful view of the town below.We advise exploring Tsaravets as early as possible to avoid the mid-day heat. The ticket office is located near the main entrance to the fortress. Tsaravets Fortress is open 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. April through October and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. November through March. Tip: Bring good walking shoes, a hat, and plenty of water. On the evenings of bank holidays and Veliko Tarnovo Day (March 22), the city puts on an impressive sound and light show over the fortress. To see it you must either be on a terrace with a direct view of the fortress, or buy tickets to see the show from a designated viewing deck. The best place to get information about show dates is the Tourist Information Centre (see above for address). The Old Town is the perfect place for strolling, especially Samovodskata Charshia (Rakovski St.). During the second half of the 19th century, this was where artisans and farmers from the nearby village of Samovodene came on market days to sell their goods. In the 1980s the city revamped the area in an effort to recreate the atmosphere of the early 20th century. Samovodskata Charshia still contains several restored Revival buildings (the Bulgarian National Revival period was a cultural movement by Bulgarians to regain their identity from the Ottomans).Amongst the city’s museums, the Archaeological Museum (ul. Ivanka Boteva 2) and the Hadji Nikoli Inn Museum (ul. Rakovski 19) are two worth seeing. The Archaeological Museum covers the region’s history from prehistoric times through the Middle Ages. The unquestionable highlight of the museum is one of the oldest gold treasures in the world dating back to the fourth millennium B.C. Like the one found near Varna, this treasure predates Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations! The Hadji Nikoli Inn Museum is situated inside the 19th century home of wealthy local tradesman, Hadji Nikoli. It is a beautiful example of Bulgarian Revival architecture and the only surviving inn from that period. It is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed Mondays). Admission is 5 BGN. The Assens Monument can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. Nicknamed the “horsemen statue,” it features the Bulgarian Tsars, Ivan Assen, Theodor-Petar, Kaloyan, and Assen. The statue, which was erected exactly 800 years after the city was appointed capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, commemorates the tsars for their contributions to the city. The steps leading up to the monument are frequently occupied by local art students using the scenic setting as inspiration for their work. From the monument you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the old town. You can access the monument on foot via the Stambolov Bridge. In the river valley of Tsaravets Hill is the city’s most significant religious building. The Holy 40 Martyrs Church is about 20-minute walk from the old town. The church was erected in 1230 to commemorate an important victory over the Byzantines. It was also the location from which Prince Ferdinand I proclaimed the independence of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire on September 22, 1908. The church was badly damaged in an earthquake in 1913, but was restored in recent years. The church stores important historical records and the remains of several medieval tsars including Kaloyan, Ivan Assen I, and his wife Anna Maria. Source:http://davidsbeenhere.com |
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