Veliko Tarnovo Region is situated in Central Northern Bulgaria. It is bounded north by the Danube River and south by the Balkan Mountains. It also borders the regions of Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Targovishte and Ruse, and over the Danube it borders Romania.
The relief in the region is diverse – there are lowlands, hilly plains, river valleys and heights of the fore-Balkan Mountains, parts of the central Balkans. The Yantra is the largest and high water river in the region. Some other big rivers are Yantra`s tributaries – the Rositza and Dryanovo Rivers. Well-developed is the stockbreeding sector. The reserves of Haydushki Chukar (“Haidouk Crags”) and Byalata Krava (“White Cow”) are located in the Balkan Mountains of Elena. There are 140 cultural monuments of national significance within the area of Veliko Tarnovo Region. Here are some of the most visited cultural and historic sites which make tourism a significant part of the region’s economics. The cultural history of the area dates back to the prehistoric age. Vestiges of the late Paleolithic Age (the 4th millennium BC) have been found.
The region was also the host of the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom – Veliko Tarnovo. Among the most visited sites are the medieval castle of Tzarevetz and the impressive audiovisual spectacle “Sound and Light”, a unique performance on the Balkan Peninsula. There are remains of ancient and medieval castles near the villages of Vetrentzi, Vishograd, and Draganovo. The village of Arbanasi is a unique ensemble of fortified stone-made houses and richly painted churches. Very valuable are the architectural monuments of the National Revival period – a multitude of churches, monasteries and houses that were built by talented Bulgarian masters. The largest number of churches and monasteries in Bulgaria is in Veliko Tarnovo Region which is a very good condition for the development of pilgrimage tourism.
The numerous cultural monuments, the rich and diverse fauna and thermal waters near the village of Voneshta Voda (“Stinking Water”) provide conditions for cultural and hunting tourism along with medical and balneological tourism. The vine-growing complexes in Lyaskovetz, Suhindol, Karaysen and Svishtov stimulate the wine tourism. The municipalities of Elena, Zlataritza, Strazhitza and Pavlikeni specialize in rural tourism.
The location, the good climate, the natural resources, historical heritage and preserved architecture, and the preservation and development of the traditional arts and crafts give Veliko Tarnovo even better prospects for future development. Veliko Tarnovo is an important landmark for Bulgaria, and the statistics show that the city and its region are in the top ten of the most visited tourist destinations in Eastern Europe.
District Veliko Tarnovo Brief information
Other transcriptions: Veliko Turnovo
In Bulgarian Alphabets: Велико Търново
Location: North-Central Bulgaria
Area size of district: 4662km2
Population of district: 293172 people
Towns in Veliko Tarnovo province: 14
Villages in Veliko Tarnovo province: 322
Regional Center: Town of Veliko Tarnovo
Municipalities in Veliko Turnovo Dsitrict: 10 - Elena, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Lyaskovets, Pavlikeni, Polski Trambesh, Strajitsa, Suhindol, Svishtov, Veliko Turnovo, Zlataritsa
