Bulgarian Strongholds: Tsarevets Fortress

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The Tsarevets Hill Archaeological Reserve is situated in the eastern part of the town of Veliko Tarnovo. It is a famous attraction for the tourists in Veliko Tarnovo and one of the Bulgarian symbols.

Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of Bulgaria during the second Bulgarian Kingdom. The Capital was built up on the two fortified hills – Tsarevets and Trapezitsa. After the Vlach-Bulgarian Rebellion and the establishment of the Second Bulgarian Empire with its capital in Veliko Tarnovo, the fortress became the most important one in Bulgaria, often compared with Rome and Constantinople in magnificence. In 1393, the stronghold was besieged by Ottoman forces for three months before finally being conquered and burnt down on 17 July, which marked the fall of the Bulgarian Empire.

The whole stronghold is girded by thick walls (reaching up to 3.6 m) and was served by three gates. The main gate was at the hill's westernmost part, on a narrow rock massif, and featured a draw-bridge.

The main castle is on Tsarevets. The first village on this historical hill is from about 4200 A.D. and continued growing during the coming ages, until it was destructed in VII-th century. In the IX century the village was built up once again and started growing rapidly. In the early XII century there was a stronghold already built, which was protecting boyars’ homes and a few Christian churches.

The palace is located on the hill's central and plain part, which was a closed complex encircled by a wall, 2 towers and 2 entrances, a main one from the north and one from the south. It featured a throne room, a palace church and a royal residential part.

On the top of the hill is the patriarchate, a complex with an area of about 3000 m², whose church, built on the grounds of an Early Christian one, was reconstructed in 1981.

Tsarevets was protected by a two-kilometer bulwark, which, combined with the natural surrounding of the hill from the river of Yantra made the stronghold almost unconquerable. The whole stronghold is girdled by thick walls (reaching up to 3.6 m) and was served by three gates. The main gate was at the hill’s westernmost part, on a narrow rock massif, and featured a draw-bridge. The second gate is 18 m away from the first one and the third one, which existed until 1889, is 45 m further.

Baldwin's Tower, a modern reconstruction of a medieval tower built in 1930, is located in the southeastern part of the fortress. It is located at the place of the original medieval tower where Latin Emperor Baldwin I of Constantinople found his death as a prisoner of Kaloyan of Bulgaria.

During the Middle Ages, residential buildings, craftsman's workshops and numerous churches and monasteries were situated on the slopes of the Tsarevets hill.

Archaeologists have discovered 400 residential buildings, differentiated in quarters, over 22 churches and 4 monasteries.

To commemorate the glory of the Bulgarian Kingdom, a spectacular “Sound And Light” show with colourful lights, lasers and music is held on a regular basis. It presents the different periods in the history of Bulgaria and is a unique experience for tourists and locals.


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