Before Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of Bulgaria. This was in the middle ages and no wonder the town is such an international tourist attraction – there you feel transported back in time.  The main point of interest is Tsarevets hill with the Second Bulgarian Empire’s  fortress of the same name.  There is access to the fortress,  where you can see the remains of the royal palace and the foundations of numerous churches.  Some parts of Tsarevets have been rebuilt, so you can get a sense of what the architecture used to be.

I have taken my time with these photos, but it was really difficult to choose, so I had to edit a lot of them. Apart from Tsarevets the town offers a charming glimpse into its past during the Bulgarian Revival period. Take a walk on Samovodska Charshia, a cobbled street with many craftsmen’s workshops. This is also where  Hadji Nikoli Inn is located. There you will experience what Bulgaria used to be like in the 19th century.

Veliko Tarnovo is a charming city with breathtaking views and rich history. I cannot wait to go there again and explore it some more!