Itinerary

1. 4-Hour Walking Tour Itinerary: Orthodox Churches of Veliko Tarnovo

   Hour 1: Introduction and Varusha District

   • Begin the tour at the center of Veliko Tarnovo with an introduction to the city's spiritual and imperial legacy.

   • Proceed to the historic Varusha district.

   • Enter the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius, learn about the saints who developed the Glagolitic and Cyrillic alphabets and their influence on Bulgarian spirituality.

   • Visit the Church of St. Nicholas, from the Bulgarian National Revival period, with a great importance for the history of Bulgaria after the Liberation.

   Hour 2: Cathedral Visit and City Views

   • Walk towards the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, a monumental structure perched above the Yantra River.

   • Explore the cathedral’s iconostasis, murals.

   • Enjoy panoramic views over Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding hills.

   Hour 3: Asenov District Exploration

   • Visit to the square in front of the Tsarevets fortress and information about the medieval city of Tarnovo and the hills on which it was located. Photo break of the Tsarevets, Trapezitsa fortresses, and the Sveta Gora hill, where the University of Veliko Tarnovo is located.

   • Descend into the Asenov district, one of the oldest parts of the city.

   • Church of the Assumption of the Virgin.

   • Optionally: Enter the Church of St. Forty Martyrs, a key historical monument.

   • Learn about the relics of saints that were once enshrined here and their significance in Orthodox faith.

   Hour 4: Optional Extensions and Conclusion

   • Walk to the Church of St. Peter and Paul, optionally - enter the church.

   • Crossing the wooden Vladiški Bridge and a photo break.

   • Conclude the tour with a summary of the city’s dual legacy as both a religious and imperial capital.