Description
Veliko Tarnovo Region is located between the Danube to the north and the Balkan Mountain to the south. Here are some of the most visited cultural and historical landmarks in Bulgaria and therefore tourism occupies a significant part of the region’s economy. 140 cultural monuments of national importance are located in the area and one of the reasons is Veliko Tarnovo, which was the capital of the Second Bulgarian State.
The churches, monasteries and houses built during the National Revival are the reason for the development of religious tourism. In addition to that, there are also cultural, hunting, spa, wine and rural tourism.
Tsaravets Fortress:
One of Bulgaria’s most beloved heritage sites, Tsarevets Castle in the city of Veliko Tarnovo is a reconstructed medieval fortress complex and was the centre of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which ruled the region from the 12th to 14th centuries AD. The former seat of medieval tsars, today the site is a museum reserve.
First constructed on the site of an earlier Byzantine fort, by the late 12th century Tsarevets Castle had become the headquarters of the Bulgarian forces, who overthrew Byzantine rule in the region. For the next two centuries, Tsarevets Castle housed the royal palaces and administration of the new regime.
However, by the late 14th century the continued rise of the Ottoman Empire put increasing pressure on the Bulgarian forces and, along with the region as a whole, Tsarevets Castle was captured by the Ottoman army. For much of the medieval period Tsarevets Castle continued to flourish as a centre of religion, trade and administration.
In the 20th century significant restoration projects were undertaken at Tsarevets Castle, including the restoration of the Patriarch’s Palace and Baldwin’s Tower.
Arbanassi
The village of Arbanasi is located on a high plateau 4 km from the city of Veliko Tarnovo.
It is known that the village existed during the time of the Second Bulgarian State (1185 – 1393). At that time the Bolyari living in the capital Tarnovo used it as a summer residence. According to legend, the Tsar of Tarnovo minted coins here.
After the victory of Ivan Asen II (reign 1218 – 1241) in 1230 at Klokotnitsa over the forces of Episcope Teodor Komnin, the kingdom of Arbanasi became part of the Bulgarian Empire and many inhabitants of the new territories settled in the region. According to one account, the village was named after the homeland of the settlers.
The first written confirmation of the village’s existence, however, is in a decree by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538. The main activities practiced by the residents of Arbanasi during the Ottoman rule were animal husbandry and trade. Some inhabitants bred silkworms.