Tsarevets Fortress

Tsarevets is the fortified hill of Veliko Tarnovo. From 1185 to 1393 it was the principal fortress of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and the Ottomans captured it on 17 July 1393. The hill rises to 206 m and is encircled by the Yantra river; the walls are up to 3.6 m thick. Archaeologists found the remains of about 400 houses, more than 22 churches and four monasteries. The Patriarchal Church was reconstructed in 1981 and given modern murals in 1985; it has not been reconsecrated.

Allow two to three hours for a walk around the gates, the walls, Baldwin’s Tower (rebuilt in 1930) and the Execution Rock above the river; early morning is the quietest time. A car is of little use in the old town, and parking near the fortress is restricted in summer. The “Sound and Light” show has been running since 1985. It does not take place every evening, only on certain occasions and on request, and it is cancelled in bad weather (as of October 2026).