Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo is an old medieval town in Bulgaria. It's built around a massive fortress that was meant to repel Turks and invading Mongols. Archaeological evidence indicates that people occupied the area as early as the third century B.C.

Veliko Tarnovo was declared capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire in 1185 when two local aristocratic brothers, Ivan Assen and Theodor-Petar, led a two-year battle against the Byzantine Empire. At that moment, the city was called Turnovgrad.

Beneath the Assen dynasty, Turnovgrad developed at a fast pace, with the accession of the most crucial structures throughout the 12th through 14th centuries. One of these is the Tsaravets Fortress. During this Golden Age of wealth, over 30 monasteries sprung up on Sveta Gora Hill and the town becomes an economic and cultural hub.

Nowadays, Veliko Tarnovo is a bustling tourist town. One of several towns that have seen a resurgence of visits from travelers.

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"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

^{All photos are taken and articles are written by Adonis Villanueva of Always Wanderlust unless otherwise stated.}