Dating to the 12th century, this strategic fortress is one of two highly fortified hills (Trapezitza being the other) that protected Bulgarian rulers living on the site in the tsar’s palace. Explore the historical monument and enjoy the city views from the front steps.

Tsarevets Museum is located on Tsarevets Hill, which has been settled since time immemorial due to its strategic location. Thracians and Romans has used the location for defensive reasons, however, Byzantines built the first fortress here between the 5th and 7th centuries AD.

The fortress was rebuilt and fortified by the Slavs and Bulgars between the 8th and 10th centuries, and again by the Byzantines in the early 12th century. When Tarnovgrad became the Second Bulgarian Empire’s capital, the fortress was truly magnificent, but with the Turkish invasion in 1393, it was sacked and destroyed.