Veliko Tarnovo is not the oldest Bulgarian town but no doubt according to foreigner’s and Bulgarian’s confession it is the most Bulgarian town. Town whose spirit represents Bulgaria and its deep roots and its way to the future. Seven thousand of history have been stored within the hills, embraced by the magnificent meanders of the Yantra River.
The traces of life, found on Trapezitsa hill date back from the 3 millennium BC, and the discovered on Tsarevets are from the end of the Bronze Age /13c. BC/. The first inhabitants were the Thracians, whose exquisitely made gold jewellery and treasures, tombs, history and art still continue to amaze the world.
The town was given the name “Turnovo” during the First Bulgarian Kingdom /680 – 1018/. It is presumed that during IX – X c. it is amongst the ruler’s residences if we judge by monuments like the columns of Khan Omurtag anf Khan Krum, some Byzantine coins, etc.. In 1187 the brothers boyars Assen and Petar organized a successful revolt for the liberation from the Byzantine rule and at the sanctification ceremony of the church “St. Dimitar” proclaimed Turnovo as capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and Petar – as tsar. During the next XIII and XIV centuries, Turnovgrad was an important political, administrative and economic centre, a powerful factor in the cultural processes in Bulgaria and Europe. It was “the most fortified and most beautiful of the towns along Hemus /Stara Planina/, and the Patriarchy built at the time – the highest achievement in the church history of Bulgaria, recognized by Constantinople, Alexandria, Jerusalem.
The economic and spiritual upsurge was interrupted in 1393, when Bulgaria fell under Ottoman rule. Centuries passed before the new economic, cultural and political revival during the Bulgarian Renaissance. The crafts started to develop, the trade flourished, beautiful houses, public buildings, churches were built /unique for that time are the buildings of the great master Kolyu Ficheto/. On 7 July, 1877 Turnovo was liberated. From 10 February to 16 April 1879 the Constituent Assembly had its first session here and adopted the First Bulgarian constitution, one of the most democratic in Europe at the time. On 17 April, 1879 in Turnovo the First Grand National Assembly of Bulgaria had sessions here and on 27 July elected Alexander of Battenberg as royal prince of Bulgaria and here on 6 September, 1885 was proclaimed the unification of Bulgaria with Eastern Rumelia.
Today Veliko Tarnovo is till a sacred place for every Bulgarian, a bastion of the Bulgarian spirit and national identity. The old capital is an administrative, cultural, historical and tourist centre of Bulgaria. The city is a geographical and communication center of the Northern Bulgaria and is also a centre of one of the 28 administrative districts of the country. The district of Veliko Turnovo is 4662 sq. km. in size and includes 10 municipalities with 14 towns/cities and 322 villages. The population is about 295 000 people. The population of the city of Veliko Turnovo alone about 72 000 people, but with the students of “St St Cyril and Methodius” University (second biggest in the country) and the “Vasil Levski” National Military University added, the population increases by about 12 000. The location, the good climate, the natural resources, historical heritage and preserved architecture, and the preservation and development of the traditional arts and crafts give Veliko Turnovo even better prospects for future development. Veliko Turnovo is an important landmark for Bulgaria, and the statistics show that the city and its region are in the top ten of the most visited tourist destinations in Eastern Europe. The Information Centre of the European Council (EC) was launched in Veliko Turnovo in 1997, the second in the country, and it works very effectively in establishing international contacts with other countries, members of the EC, as well as developing many programs and projects, financed by European funds.In 1997 Veliko Turnovo was presented with the "Sustainable Development" Award for Central and Eastern Europe.
Veliko Tarnovo becomes more and more attractive town for tourists from Bulgaria and abroad and also for a significant number of investors who find here their necessary resources and infrastructure. With every year the tendency for the town to turn in one of the most visited towns in Southern Europe increases. This will additionally contribute for its turning into a real European town – a town opened for the future and the innovations but retained its individuality and history.