Veliko Tarnovo
Whether you come here for the first time or this is just another trip to your favorite city, there’s always something new for you to discover. If you’re interested in the old history of Veliko Turnovo or the places connected with the glory of the Bulgarian kingdom during the Middle Ages, you must visit the emblem of the city – the fortress hill “Tsarevets”, located at the eastern end of the city and protected on three sides by the Yantra river. Opposite “Tsarevets” to the North-West lies “Trapezitsa” hill with its excavated 17 church foundations. Between the two hills lies the beautiful “Asenova Mahala” (Asens’ Quarter) with the churches of “St. Dimitar”, “Holy Apostles Peter and Paul”, “St. George”, and “The Assumption of the Holy Virgin", as well as the Bishop’s bridge.
Some usefull links
http://www.veliko-tarnovo.net/english-vijte/eng-br-1/
http://www.velikoturnovo.info/setLanguage-1/
http://www.travel-bulgaria.com/content/veliko_turnovo.shtml
Monument of the Assens
During the reign of the Bulgarian Kings Assen the 1st, Peter, Kaloyan and IAssen the 2nd, from 1185 to 1241, the BulgarianMedievalState, with Tarnevgrad as its capital, reached its highest political, economic and cultural peak. The monument of the Assens, is dedicated to these leaders.And was built in honor of the 800th anniversary from the proclamation of Tarnovo as the capital of Bulgaria. It is the most prominent monument in the city, and near it the StambolovBridge and State Art Gallery are located.
The monument of the Assens is situated on a beautiful terrace above the curb of the Yantra River and offers a magnificent view of the old town with its unique architecture and lay-out of the town.
Sound and Light Show.
The "Tsarevgrad Turnov – Sound and Light" ("Zvuk i svetlina") audio-visual show is an unique attraction. The programme was created by a team of Bulgarian and Czech specialists managed by Vulo Radev and Jaromir Hnick. The first ever release of the programme was in 1985, to commemorate 800 years since the rebellion of the brothers Asen and Peter. The show is organized by request and needs a group of 30 people,at minimum, in order to be run. The best place to watch it is the ”Tsar Ivan-Asen II” square in front of the Tsarevets Fortress........
Etara
ETARA open-air ethnographic museum has been around for 40 years to provide an unforgettable trip back in time. Situated 8 km to the south of the city of Gabrovo in the Central Balkan Range, it spreads over an area of 6 ha, incorporating 50 sites, water-run technical facilities, buildings housing craftsmen’s shops and others.
The open-air museum displays the architecture, way of life and economic entrepreneurship in the Gabrovo region over the second half of the 18th c. and the entire 19th c
Map of Bulgaria
The Republic of Bulgaria is a country situated in the southeast of Europe. It borders the Black Sea to the east, Greece and Turkey to the south, Serbia and Montenegro and the Republic of Macedonia to the west, and Romania to the north along the river Danube
Carnivals and Festivals
http://www.folklorefest.com/
Bulgarians have a number of different traditional ceremonies, festivals and holidays.
There are events dated centuries back, combining pagan with orthodox and folk elements.
The Kukeri Festival is celebrated on 11 January in the region of the towns of Pernik and Dupnitsa. The participants, named Kukeri, wear traditional masks and costumes and perform ancient dances to drive away the evil spirits. Similar festivals take place at other parts of the country like the Rodopi and Strandja mountains.
St. Trifon Zarezan on 14 February is an ancient festival of the wine growers.
Granny Marta’s Day is on 1 March. At this day people give each other martenitzi, little red and white tassels that are worn for health and happiness.
Festival of Roses is celebrated in early June in the town of Kazanlak.
Koprivshtitsa Folk Festival is dedicated to the authentic Bulgarian music.
Other folk festivals are celebrated also in Shiroka Luka, Rojen, the Pirin and Strandja Mountains. National Festival of Romany Songs and Music (July) is celebrated in the town of Stara Zagora.
The International Jazz Festival (8-13 August) takes place in the town of Bansko, one of the most popular winter resorts in Bulgaria.
Apolonia is a popular arts festival held in the middle of September in the town of Sozopol on the Black sea cost.