Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Turnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture.
The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the Tarnovo Artistic School of architecture, painting and literature.
Veliko Tarnovo is an important administrative, economic, educational and cultural centre of Northern Bulgaria.
In present days, Veliko Tarnovo's population grew really quick, speccialy in the past 5-6 year. Today (according to unofficial sources), the population is around 105 000 inhabitans, this not include the Metro Area(In American style-which is 30-40 miles radius of circle around the city), which is going to be more then 250 000 inhabitans. Largest neighberhood is called "Pishmana". It was build during the communist era in the begining of the 70's, type block apartments or so called "projects".Today's population is around 40 000. Interesting fact is that neighberhood is build on really small area and the number: people per square mile are enormous. |
