Veliko Tarnovo

"City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and also known as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. 

The river banks are steep, with the city sprawling all along the upper reaches of the hill ridges.

The day's touring/trekking starts with reaching the Monument of Asenevci.  Sofia is the capital of modern day Bulgaria, but the Asen Tsars ruled from Veliko Tarnovo. A monument to the Asen dynasty in the center of the city marked 800 years after the Asen brothers proclaimed Veliko the capital.

From below our lodging, we look across a bend of the river and see where we must circle the bend to get to a bridge over the river beyond the monument.

A communist-era grand hotel near the the monument - it seemed both abandoned and partially in-use at the same time.

More interesting architecture seen along the journey.

The monument!

An Asen brother close-up.

Where to next?  To the street of the Artisans.

Going back across the bridge, we find connecting rods/pistons - a new twist on the too oft used "love" padlocks.  Apparently someone's statement here is "I love cars."

"I would like "Running Scared" To Win in the fourth."  --  "Consider it done."

Cool mural of the Asen brothers, as seen from the Artisan's street, overlooking their monument.

Not sure what this creature is, perchance a Chupacabra, but we did like how the lounging cat somehow matched it.

This city has worked hard to avoid the run-down look of many city/towns we've passed through.

"Yeah, I lost last week's pay on that race, and now I'm living with the dog for a few days."  --  "It happens."

This pub advertisement is really cool, with the peeling paint and rust patina built into it.  We'll circle back to it later.

The trekking has built a strong urge for a Slush Puppy.

Nativity of Mary Church.

Contemplating the next move from alongside the church, where we have a good view of it.

Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress between 1185 AD and 1393 AD, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and it is also a popular tourist attraction.

The views around it were as interesting as the fortress itself.  A view of an old bridge, and newer bridge, with close-up of the former.

A roadway, a river, and neighborhood.

Church on the high hill of the fortress.

A map of the fortresses - we toured the one shown to the right.  There's not much left at all of the one to the left.

Back to the Architect's Club for an early supper.

Another trout for Gerri.

We get another final look of the Asen brother's monument, showing a view of the access bridge.