The town of Veliko Turnovo (population 74 800 inhabitants) is situated in central Bulgaria, at the foot of Stara planina, 210 meters above the sea level. It is regally situated along the historical hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitza, and Sveta Gora, on the two banks of the Iantra river. The town lies at almost same distance from the biggest Bulgarian towns – 241 km northeast of Sofia, 228 km southwest of Varna, 192 km northeast of Plovdiv, and 224 km northwest of Bourgas.
The old metropolis of Bulgaria is a regional centre. The favourable climate, the presence of numerous natural and historical landmarks, and the development of the national crafts offer great opportunities for development of tourism.

HISTORY

Veliko Tarnovo is a town with rich and glorious historical past.
The earliest traces were found on the Trapezitza Elevation from the first half of the 3 rd millennium B.C. Remnants on Tsarevets Elevation date back to the end of Bronze era (13th century B.C.) The oldest settlement was inhabited by Thracians and exited by the end of the Iron era. The following inhabitants were the Byzantines. In 8 century a big Slavonic – Bulgarian settlement was built there. At the end of the 10th century the elevations of Tsarevets, Trapezitza, and Sveta Gora were densely populated and in the 12th century Veliko Turnovo was a fortified town and a significant economic centre.
The origin of the name is related to the Slavonic word “tern” or “turn” (thorn) and during the years it developed into Ternov, Trunov, Tarnov, Tarnovgrad, Tarnovo, and Veliko Turnovo, called Veliko (Great) in relation to its size, beauty and grandeur. In 1187 Uprising of Assen and Petar (brothers and noble men), the Byzantine rule was thrown off, and they proclaimed Veliko Turnovo capital of the restored Bulgarian Kingdom. During the 13 th and 14 th centuries the town became a significant political, economic, trade and cultural centre in Europe.
This material and spiritual upsurge was discontinued on 17 th of July 1393, when the whole of Bulgaria was conquered by the Turks.
During the Revival period the town experienced a new economic, cultural and political upsurge. Crafts developed, trade flourished, beautiful houses, public buildings and churches were built. Veliko Turnovo became a centre of the struggles for ecclesiastical and national independence.
On the 7 th of July 1877 Veliko Turnovo was free again. On the 16 th of April 1879 the Turnovo Constitution, one of the most democratic constitutions in Europe at that time, is passed there. On 17.04.1879 the first Great National Assembly of liberated Bulgaria convened in Veliko Turnovo. It was namely there that on 06.09.1885 the acknowledge of the union of the Principality Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia was made.
Although Sofia became the capital of united Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo continued to be a bastion of the Bulgarian national spirit, and self-awareness.

LANDMARKS

The Tsarevets Elevation in the eastern part of the town is proclaimed an archeological reserve. There the so called Baldwin Tower, the entrance door, and part of the fortified wall are preserved, as well as the palace of Bulgarian kings and the Bulgarian patriarchy of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12 – 14 century) are restored.
The elevation of Trapezitza is related to the earliest manifestation of the Bulgarian rulers of the 12th century. There 17 church foundations were found. The most interesting there are the churches of "St.Dimitar" and “The 40 holly Martyrs”, as well as Assenova Makhala (Assen’s neighborhood).
The elevation of Sveta Gora rises south of Tsarevets. It was a cultural and spiritual centre of the Bulgarian State in the Medieval times. Nowadays the buildings of Veliko Turnovo University “St. St. Kiril and Metodii” is situated there.
Sites of interests are the churches of “St. Nikola”, “St. St. Kiril and Metodii”, St.St.Konstantin and Elena, the architectural monuments: the House with the monkeys, the House of Petko R. Slaveikov, the House of kokona (grand lady) Anastasia, Stambolov’s khan (inn), Samovodska charshia (market of wood-nymphs) with lots of National Revival houses and working workshops, the monument of Assens, the monument "Mother Bulgaria", the Stambolov’s bridge.

MUSEUMS

The Museum of the National Revival and the National Assembly is situated in the Old Konak (Town hall), built by the eminent Bulgarian architect Kolyo Ficheto and related to a lot of historical events.
The Ethnographic Museum is arranged in the Inn of Hadji Nikola – one of the most interesting architectural monuments.
Very interesting is the Prison-museum through which a lot of freedom-loving Bulgarians passed – Vasil Levski, Philip Totiu, Stafan Karadja and many others.
In Veliko Turnovo there is a Theatre of Drama and Music “Konstantin Kisimov”, as well as state art gallery and many private galleries.

TRANSPORT

Bus and railway transport services the interurban connections of the town.
The bus station is situated in the western end of Veliko Turnovo. Its address is 86, Nikola Gabrovski Str., tel.: +359 62/40908.
The Central Railway Station is located in the southern end of the town, tel.: +359 62/620065. There is another railway station - “Trapezitza”. Both stations are at the main railway line Rousse - G. Oryahovitza - St. Zagora - Podkova.

SURROUNDING AREAS

4 km northeast of the town is the village of Arbanassi - proclaimed an architectural reserve. There are unique monuments of the Bulgarian National Revival architecture. The Preobrazhenski Monastery is situated 7 km to the north at the left bank of the Yantra river. The oldest Monastery around Veliko Turnovo – “Sveta Troitza” (St. Trinity) is located on the right bank of the Yantra river, against the Preobrazhenski Monastery. 13 km south of the town near the town of Kilifarevo is located the Kilifarevo Monastery, founded by Teodosii Turnovski. The Plakovski Monastery is situated near to the village of Plakovo, 18 km south of Veliko Turnovo. The Merdanski Monastery is 14 km southeast of the town.
The complex Nikopolis ad Istrum - ruins of an old Roman majestic town near the village of Nikiup, is situated 18 km north of the town.
The spa resort Voneshta voda is 28 km to the south.
The passage of the Republic (Hainboaz) is 39 km south of the town of Veliko Turnovo.