"Veliko Turnovo - journey back in time ...."

This is a walking and by car tour around Veliko Turnovo and the 'Tsarevets' hill. You will certainly spend nice and exciting time with your guide Patrick and enjoy all his personal attention!

The lunch brake will take place in the legendary 'The Bear's Den' tavern in the company of the divine food served there ...

Veliko Turnovo - one of the most picturesque Bulgarian towns, preserving the atmosphere of the past century, it is standing in tiers above Yantra River which meanders through the elevations of Turnovo and the three hills - Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora. The buildings, perching one above the other, overhang rocks and precipices and Yantra River below, standing close to one another along narrow winding streets. The antique part of the town has been declared an architectural and historical reserve.

Known under the name of Tsarevgrad Turnov (i.e. King's Town) and Turnovgrad. In the town and its outskirts traces have been uncovered of life dating back to the late Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, the Bronze and the Iron Ages. It raises to significance during the years of Byzantine rule (9th-12th centuries).After the foundation of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1186), the town becomes its capital. A centre of medieval Bulgarian coin minting. In the 13th-14th centuries in the town and its outskirts numerous literary schools spring up - centres of educational and literary activity.

In 1393 the town is conquered by the Turks and burned down. During the years of Ottoman rule it is a fortress of the Bulgarian national spirit and one of the centres of the struggle for liberation. In 1879 the Constituent National Assembly has its first session here and adopts the Constitution of Turnovo - the first constitution of the Bulgarian state liberated in 1878.

Place of interest: The Old Town Hall (Konaka) Built in 1874-1876 by Kolyo Ficheto for a Turkish public building, but the design and space layout bears the signs of the Bulgarian National Revival secular architecture. In 1879 the Constituent National Assembly of newly liberated Bulgaria, which adopts the Constitution of Turnovo, has its first session in this building. A museum.

Tsarevets A historical hill of 12 hectares in the eastern part of Veliko Turnovo. In the 7th-14th centuries the capital residences of the tsar, the boyars and the patriarch are erected. Built over a Thracian settlement and Byzantine fortress, dating back to the 4th-6th centuries, Tsarevets turns into an unapproachable fortress and capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. When the Turks conquered Turnovo, Tsarevets was burned down.

Trapezitsa A hill in Veliko Turnovo. In the 12th-14th centuries Trapezitsa and Tsarevets comprise the Inner Town of the Bulgarian capital. The hill is plateau-like with steep slopes. Fortified with a fortress wall, which follows the rock wreath. The foundations of 17 churches have been preserved. On some of their inner walls one can see fragments of paintings. In the end of the 14th C. and the beginning of the 15th C., the Ottoman invaders burn down Trapezitsa.

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 10E/hour EUR
Number of participants 4
Duration: 1 Days

Area: Bulgaria
Accomodation is included in this tour: Accommodation available upon request

The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   english
   spanish

Special Hints: Explore the Real Bulgaria, take your journey back in time and visit Veliko Turnovo ...

edited at 13.02.07 | 1:12 PM
last update 13.02.07 | 1:12 PM

Guide details

Patrick

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
My name is Patrick and I am personal independent tour guide based in Varna, Bulgaria. I work with groups from 1 to 3 persons max. in order to pay all my attention and give a perfect service to all my customers!
I am English and Spanish fluent speaking. I am experienced, with lots of knowledge's about Bulgaria - its history and legends, its traditions and culture!
I organize private tours walking or driving all around on a very reasonable prices!
I offer 1-Day general tours of Varna, the Black Sea coast and the Bulgarian country side, cultural tours, Monastery trips, Bulgaria round trips, Thracian heritage tours and also adventure tours including my special Harpooning tour, Mountain hiking, Wind-surf camps, Fishing, Bird watching etc.
My interests include traveling, hiking, diving, harpooning, sailing ...
Join me on my tours and You will see the real Bulgaria - as only a native can show you:))
To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.

edited at 13.02.07 | 12:38 AM
last update 23.03.07 | 3:43 PM

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