When it comes to Bulgaria, everyone recalls the beautiful Black Sea resorts and all the entertainment that are connected with this, while forgetting that Bulgaria has a stunningly interesting story that goes deep into centuries, and visiting the city of Veliko-Tarnovo, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, as it is impossible to illustrate this . The small town in the northern foothills of the Balkan has a huge number of attractions, which attracts a large number of tourists and every year their stream increases and increases. This is exactly the attractions and places that it is worth seeing and will be discussed below.
Start the inspection is best from the old town, which emerged at the beginning of the 11th century, and even if he did not reach us in pristine form, still the preserved the essence of that time. The old town has a very interesting feature that attracts photographers, artists, and just connoisseurs of all beautiful. The peculiarity lies in the fact that the old buildings of this town visually hang over the Yantra River, which creates truly unique panoramic views. It is in the old town that the buildings created by the famous Bulgarian architect of the 19th century Nikola Fichev, including his best work - Church of St. Constantine and Elena.
There is also old Turkish conak In which the police are managed at the end of the 19th century, and now this building belongs to the National Renaissance Museum. It is famous for the structure not only as an architectural masterpiece, but also by the fact that it was in it that the very first constitution of free Bulgaria was developed.
Having come to the old town, you will not pass by the main street with the name of the Russian general Joseph Vladimirovich Gurko, built up in the 18th century and preserved almost unchanged. It is on this street that there is a large number of souvenir shops, craft workshops, restaurants and cafes.
In general, as already been written above, in Veliko Tarnovo and its surroundings a large number of attractions and each of them are worthy of a separate article, so they simply run on some, most significant of them
Church of forty tall martyrs. One of the oldest and most beautiful temples of the city. The construction of the temple began in the 12th century at the Asensky dynasty, and judging by the legends and archives of historians, was originally part of the monastery "Great Lava". Alas, but at present there is nothing left of the monastery, except the temple, everything was destroyed during the time when Veliko Tarnovo was under the Turks. He is the tomb of many rulers of Bulgaria, among whom: Ivan Asen II, St. Savva Serbian, Kalian and others.
Fortress Tsarevets. Built in the mountains of the same name and in from the 12th to the end of the 14th century was the residence of the Bulgarian kings and local nobility, since during this period the city was the capital. In the time of occupation of the territory of the Ottoman Empire, the fortress has suffered a lot as a result of battles, but from the middle of the last century its restoration began, which is partly going on and to this day.
In the evenings, near the fortress, a unique light show passes, showing the story of Bulgaria as a state in the pictures.
Kilifarev monastery. Located in 12 kilometers from the city, near the village of the same name, on the banks of the Belitsa River. His story leads from the middle of the 14th century and in those days was one of the largest centers of medieval literature and education. Just as previous attractions were subjected to a plunder and partial destruction of Turkish troops and was restored at the beginning of the 18th century, a little bit away from its historical location.
Arbanasi. The mountain village, which is considered a monument of culture and history of Bulgaria. The settlement was founded in the 12th century by Albanians seen from southern Epirus by Turks for constant rebellion and uprising. Initially, there was a feet of farmers and pastorals, but in the 17th century turned into a relatively large shopping center of the region, with which even the Turkish empire was considered. It was at that time that the rich houses of merchants began to be built, something reminiscent of small fortresses decorated with stucco and carvings. To date, only 80 houses have been preserved, some of which are architectural monuments.
In Arabanasi, there are as many as 5 churches of various years of construction, thanks to which it is possible to see how the architecture of iconic Christian structures has evolved.
Church of Dmitry Solunsky. The oldest church in Veliko Tarnovo. Her walls began at the end of the 12th century on the slope of the Mountain Trapezitz, subsequently around her the monastery was built, which existed until the end of the thirteenth century and destroyed, no, this time not by the Turks, but an earthquake. In the 15th century, a new one was built on the foundation of the old temple, but in 1913 he was compiled by the fate of the previous one, for the third time he was restored at the end of the last century in drawings and drawings found during archaeological excavations.
Believe me, it's only a small part of historic sights Great Tarnovo, and there are also natural, and they are also quite a lot.
Momin-Skok waterfall. To be more accurate, then the whole cascade of waterfalls is located in the Yemen Canyon and has a unique mountain terrain, which resembles a large canyon in the United States. In some places, the height of the rocks reaches 90 meters, and the Rosica Nigovanka river proceeds at the bottom. The right is considered one of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria and love many ecotourists.
Waterfall Kai Bunar. The oasis in which the entire shine and the diversity of the Bulgarian nature opens. Located 14 km from Veliko Tarnovo. You can get both by bus, on a rented car, and for a taxi, good parking is located near the waterfall. The territory of the waterfall is fenced with cliffs with turbulent vegetation, forming a complete circle, and in the center of all this magnificence the stormy water flow falling from a height of 30 meters, divided by the protruding boulders into several floors. This is a favorite place to relax both local and tourists.
As you can see, Veliko-Tarnovo, this is the place that you can visit and need, while boring here will not be accurate.