There is no doubt that Veliko Tarnovo is the most beautiful Bulgarian town. It is situated on the steep slopes above the Yantra River, which surrounds it with majestic meandres. These areas have been inhabited since ancient times, but the town development reached its peak in 1187, when the boyar brothers Asen and Peter organized the successful struggle against the Byzantines. That year they pronounced the town for the capital of Bulgaria. The main attraction of Veliko Tarnovo is Tsarevets - the biggest and most majestic Bulgarian fortress that still amazes thousands of tourists. There are also a number of unique centuries-old churches in the town, as well as many old houses. There are eight monasteries around Veliko Tarnovo, each of great significance for the preserving of the Bulgarian culture during the Middles Ages.
The Cathedral Temple "Virgin Mary Birth" is among the most powerful Christian monuments in Bulgaria. It is situated near Tsarevets, and is one of the symbols of Veliko Tarnovo.The temple was built by Kolio Ficheto in 1844, but during the earthquake in 1913 the church was destroyed, and later restored. The enormous size of the temple, as well as its extraordinary shapes and symmetry, still fill its visitors with awe and delight.
The "St. Dimitar" Church in Veliko Tarnovo is one of the symbols of the Bulgarian State. Here, in 1185, the boyars Asen and Peter declared the Rebellion against Byzantium, and pronounced the town for the capital of Bulgaria. The church was the coronation place for three kings - Asen, Peter and Kaloyan. Later on a monastery was founded here, as well as a Christian cemetery, whose bones are kept in the bone-vault in the yard. Repeatedly robbed and damaged by kurdjalis, the church was completely destroyed during the earthquake in 1913. After long years of research and restoration works, the temple was rebuilt in 1985.