Tuesday 23 July 2013

Bulgaria - Tsarevets and Veliko Tarnovo (2)

Spending the summer of 2013 just 10 miles east of Veliko Tarnovo (VT) it was a certainty that we would visit the city again, after the first visit almost a month ago. The focus this time round was TSAREVETS, the remains of a medieval fortress atop a hill on the outskirts of the city. It served as the stronghold for royalty and patriarchs from 1186-1393 during the time of the Second Bulgarian Empire.
For a time Bulgaria was the dominant power in the Balkans. However, various invasions and attacks from its neighbours, coupled to internal strife, led to its demise until fully conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the late 14th Century. The Ottoman Turks ruled over Bulgaria for the next 500 years.
Some ruins remain of Tsaravets and some restoration have taken place to give the visitor an idea of what went where. Entrance is 5 Leva (£2) per person and the visit well worth the expense. As per the previous visit, we took a taxi from our campsite to VT, getting off at the roadway to Tsarevets. It was 10:30 and we had the day ahead of us.

Entrance to Tsarevets

Time span

Going through the draw bridge ....

.... you come across the major fortified position on the roadway.

The fortified position is consistent with most medieval strongholds in that it guards and protects the main entrance into the fortress. Parapets from up high gave a commanding view of all and anyone approaching the citadel.

A cleverly animated and choreographed 10 minute show tells you of life in the fortress, all operated by the fellow on the right, in a language of your choice.

Animated show

Two mock ups of weapons used in defence are displayed:-



Fortified positions are dotted around the high thick stone walls, some made accessible for defenders by walkways beneath the parapets:-



At night a choice of two shows gives you an insight into life and times pertaining to Tsarevets. One is held inside the fortress and the other is the Sound and Light Show, which was featured on an earlier post in this Blog - see the index.

View over the seating area where the night time indoor show is done

Batteries of high intensity lights are used to light up the fortress at night

There are cafes, curio stalls and entry into the small cathedral on top of the hill to keep you occupied and busy for two hours or more. A good walk around on cobbled pathways with some uphill bits will make you appreciate a good lunch stop afterwards, after another bit of walking to find your eatery, then sitting down to a cool drink of the malt, hops and barley variety. That's why we travel, to see and look and sit down discussing the vagaries of mankind.

View across Veliko Tarnovo from Tsarevets

We came across these drawings showing dress costumes of bygone times, as we exited and walked into town. Beautifully done.



Making our way to the centre of town we went through a less fashionable part, small as it was, but what struck me was the usual symbiotic relationship between dilapidated buildings and wall art, graffiti if you like. No matter where in the world you go, the two seem to go together.

Broken windows, but ....

.... freedom says the writing

More broken windows ....

.... and ....

No comments:

Post a Comment