Top Things To Do and See in Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria - Travel Bulgaria
Top Things To Do and See in Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria - Travel Bulgaria
Veliko Turnovo - Unique Holiday Experience in Bulgaria
Veliko Turnovo is situated in central Bulgaria, at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. It is spread over the historical hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora, towering over the wide curves of the Iantra river. The city is more than 7000 years old. Veliko Tarnovo impresses with its original renaissance architecture - antique houses, situated one above another, towers, splendid museums, and monasteries with icon-paintings that attract tourists from all over the world. Capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, Turnovo offers some of the most abundant and important cultural and historic attractions in Bulgaria. It also offers lively modern night life and nature with great opportunities for sports and rest.
Veliko Tarnovo has a rich historical past. The first clues for life date back to the 3rd millennium b.c. The first inhabitants were the Thracians and their settlement existed until the end of the Bronze Age. The next inhabitants were the Byzantines. A big Slav settlement was situated here during the VIII a.c. The Old-Bulgarian settlement appeared during the IX c. and during the X c. the hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora were already richly populated. The brothers Asen and Peter organized successfully a revolt against Byzantine rule in 1187 and declared Veliko Tarnovo the capital of Bulgaria. Turnovo became a well-fortified city and a significant political, administrative, economic and cultural center in Europe during the next 200 years. The contemporaries referred to it as the The Second Constantinople and The Third Rome.
The most important remnant of these times is the archaeological preserve Tsarevets, a restored fortress that surrounds the hill Tsarvets. One of the main attractions of the fortress is the Baldwin towers where the Latin Emperor Baldwin was captured and locked during the crusade in the early 1200's. The palace of the Bulgarian tsars was a self-contained fortress with the fabulous Throne Hall and the palace church St. Petka. The Bulgarian patriarchate was situated on the highest place within the fortress. In recent years, the fortress has received further acclaim with a Lights and Sound show - a program that combines sound and light effects to reproduce the history of the old Bulgarian capital.
Venturing beyond the fortress walls, one enters a historical preserved neighborhood with winding narrow cobblestones lined with craft shops, cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels. One can admire the numerous fully renovated Renaissance houses in a typical Bulgarian style, interspersed with ancient ruins and churches. The Gurko street and the ethnographic complex Samovodska Charshia reveal a great variety of Renaissance houses that seem to have landed on top of each other, with sheer views over the Iantra river. The Sarafkina house, built in 1861, is a particularly beautiful sample.
There is much to do around Veliko Turnovo as well including fourteen monasteries built during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom in XII - XIV c. Many of them were destroyed during the Ottoman rule and were renovated by the self-educated Bulgarian architect and builder Kolio Ficheto and wall-painted by Zohari Zograf during XIX c. One of the largest is the Preobrajenski monastery that was founded at the time of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom during XIII - XIV c. by queen Sara, wife of Tsar Ivan Alexander. It had an important role for the spiritual life of the capital. It is situated 6km from Veliko Tarnovo in a beautiful area with vertical rocks in the canyon-like gorge of the Iantra River.
Turnovo has much to offer for people interested in history and architecture but it is also a very vibrant, energetic town with long pedestrian areas, restaurants, shops, and cafes. It is a favorite destination for Bulgarians of all ages and interests as well as international tourists.
Curious? You can look through the following listing of hotels and B&B's: [ Turnovo Holidays. You will not be disappointed.
Stefan Valev writes regular columns about holiday destinations in Bulgaria.
Article Source: [ Veliko Turnovo - Unique Holiday Experience in Bulgaria
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Museums of VT - A journey in time, Part 2 Sarafkina's Museum
Sarafkina’s House is considered the most majestic Renaissance house in Veliko Tarnovo. It is a fully
preserved house of a banker (Saraf) for whom the house was built in 1861. Sarafkina’s house is unique
because of its location and architectural design. The house is situated in the old street of Gurko, where
flower decked homes seem to be clinging to the rocks. From the street, the house rises two floors but
viewed from the riverside, it has five floors. The topmost two floors are open to the public. Inside the
house, there is an exhibition of the urban lifestyle of Veliko Tarnovo during the 19 th century.
The Bulgarian folk art and crafts have centuries old traditions in Veliko Tarnovo region, which are
depicted by the colorful exhibits in the museum. All people take part in making basic objects needed for
their everyday life. The local artistic traditions are handed down through generations. Making and
decorating ritual bread is one of the most popular and continuous traditions of Tarnovo region. They are
prepared for all festivities; the most diverse ritual breads relate to weddings and Christmas. There are
beautiful Easter eggs, Christmas tokens, textile patterns, embroidery, ritual breads, ceramic vessels and
wood-carved or painted objects for everyday use which dazzle our minds with the artist’s creativity.
They have become an expression of the Bulgarian spirit and artistry.
The women of Tarnovo were very famous for their exquisite taste as can be seen from the party room in
the house. A special women’s society was established in 1871, which organized balls that featured not
only local chain-dances but also European dances. Women also learned to do’ European knitting’
through this society. The two types of Bulgarian women’s national costume- ‘soukman type’ and ‘two
aprons type’ are also on exhibit, to which knitted colorful stockings, woven or beaded belts,
embroidered kerchiefs and silver/gold ornaments are added during feats days. The ‘soukman type’ is
mostly worn in mountain areas while the ’two aprons type’ is worn in plains.
A collection of the preserved photographs of events and lives of people in free Veliko Tarnovo can be
seen in the top floor of the museum. Photography reached Tarnovo in 1851 (it was discovered in 1835).
There are also photographs of the Saraf’s family that occupied the house, which let us marvel how well
the house is being preserved now. The top floor also has ample sitting space with small windows that
provide a distinctive view of the Yantra river and the vegetation along its banks.
A trip to Sarafkina’s house will provide you relief from today’s fast life and make you feel as content as
the Saraf would have when, after a tiring day of work, he and his family would have gathered around at
the top floor and relaxed by watching the tranquility of the river, the serene nature and the exuberance
of people along the streets.
Trendy Inn - Veliko Turnovo Hotels, Bulgaria
Trendy Inn 2 Stars Hotel in Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria Within US Travel Directory The family-run Trendy Inn is located in Veliko Tarnovo and just 1 km from the City of the Tsars, famous for its unique medieval architecture. Guests can relax on the garden terrace and can take in panoramic views of the surrounding city.Each room is equipped with air conditioning, mosquito nets and cable TV. In addition, a homemade breakfast is served, with the option of having it in the room.
Parking and Wi-Fi are free of charge at Trendy Inn.
Other services offered are bicycle rental, babysitting and massages.
The Church of St.
Constantine and Helena is within 100 m.
The famous Hill Tsarevets and other attractions in the city are within 100-300 m from Trendy Inn.
Also in the area are the architectural complex Samovodska bazaar, Monkey House, Sarafkina house, and the historical and architectural street Gurko.
Guests can also enjoy the 3D light show in Veliko Tarnovo.
Hotels Located in :
Trendy Inn - Veliko Turnovo Hotels, Bulgaria
Location in : 10th February Street 3, 5000 Veliko Tŭrnovo, Bulgaria
Booking Now :
Hotels list and More information visit U.S. Travel Directory
Bulgaria - Tsarevets Parte 2- Vacaciones Bulgaria
One of Bulgaria's primary tourist destinations, Veliko Tarnovo boasts many historical monuments and landmarks, such as the ruins of the castle Tsarevets on the hill of the same name, which housed the royal and patriarchal palace, and Trapezitsa, the second fortress of the inner city on the right bank of Yantra. Other attractions are the St Demetrius of Thessaloniki Church, St Forty Martyrs Church, the numerous Bulgarian National Revival buildings with their typical architecture, the museum of The Bulgarian Revival and the Constituent Assembly, located at the old Konak (Turkish municipal building), build by the unsurpassed master Nikola Fichev, [[[the archeological museum]] which keeps numerous founds and remains of the ancient history of these lands,Samovodska Charshia- the old trade street which sheltered skilful craftsmen through the Revival Period and even today many of the houses and the workshops are fully restored, the House with the monkey and Mother Bulgaria monument- both on the main street, you can't miss to see them, Gurko street- a unique illustration of Bulgarian Revival architectural style where you can visit Sarafkina house, the church of St. Constantine and Elena and enjoy the gorgeous view of the Yantra River and the Asens' Monument, the Stambolov's Bridge which is the way to the Asens' Monument and the City Art Gallery.