Because Bulgaria was always here, close to me (“neighbor and friend country” was the name I heard in all my childhood), I had a feeling of familiar while walking the streets of Veliko Tarnovo, although I was there for the first time and I do not understand the language except for a few words.
The town - known as “The city of the tsars” - managed to impress me, even if I did not succeed to visit the most important touristic objective: The palace of Bulgarian tsars located on Tsarevets hill, one of the three hills the town is built on.
The truth is I planned the 2 days I have stayed in Bulgaria, outside Veliko Tarnovo, in Arbanasi and Tryavna and I do not regret it, but I will definitely come back to Veliko, to see it all.
This first time I saw just a little part of it, I’ve spent there a few hours in the evening and a few hours next morning and saw the same things: by night and by day.
Saturday night I discovered and admired the houses from the hills above Yantra River. Then I reached the Archeological Museum and the 1844 Cathedral of the "Birth of the Theotokos”. From here, near the Cathedral, I saw an impressive light show on Tsarevets Fortress.
Walking the streets next morning, I re-discovered the Archeological Museum; it has this beautiful inner courtyard. Unfortunately, there was not an English tour guide. Because of the beauty of the building and panoramic view, this is a place where the newlyweds come to be photographed.
The food is tasty and cheaper than in Romania. I’ve eaten at Casa di Bianco Restaurant located in centrum, near a little park with a statue – symbol – named the Mother Bulgaria, representing a woman who’s kneeling as thankfulness of the dead Bulgarians in wars.
You can find here my previous two stories about my short trip to Bulgaria: