History and teachings
All monuments preserved in Veliko Tarnovo has kept the spirit of all ages and periods of Bulgarian history – from Ancient times to present days. The first traces of human presence in the region dated from VI century BC.A Thracian village was found on Tsarevets dated back from the 3rd millennium B.O.T.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Tsarevgard Tarnov was the pearl in Bulgarian tsars’ crown.After Bulgarians declared their liberation from Byzantine rule in 1185, Tarnovo became the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and remained the capital of Bulgaria until the invasion of the Ottomans in Europe.

On 7 July 1877, Russian troops liberated Veliko Tarnovo. On 10 February 1879 here in the old Ottoman municipal building, was held the fateful Constituent assembly. The Tarnovo Constitution was accepted then and it was one of the most democratic European constitutions back then. This historic act laid the foundations of the new Bulgarian state.

Cross-cultural dimensions
For more than two centuries Tarnovo is the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (the end of XII – XIV century.). It is the center, where were decided the most important political, religious, administrative and cultural issues in the life of the mediaeval state. Contemporaries spare the epithets calling it “Bogospasniy Tarnovgrad” “Great Tarnov”, “Queen of the Cities” “… second in words and deeds after Istanbul,” its fame wore in distant lands, reaching to the “North Ocean”.The dominance of Tsarevets Hill and its natural inaccessibility have determined the choice here to be the center of supreme control of the state. A complex defense system is ensuring the safety of people living in the castle. In the palace of Bulgarian kings live the mediaeval rulers and their associates, who draw up and implement the overall policy of the state.

Useful information:
recommended for all; unique; does not require prior knowledge; accessible;

Location, public transportationcentral, public transport available

Human resources, assistanceyes

Accessibility (for disabled) , preparedness of the staffsections are not accessible to wheechairs, otherwiseyes

Infrastructure, staff, safety measures, languages good infrastructure, complex, safety measures in place but visitors need to be careful with slipping, guided and audio tours available in a number of languages