Religious, Spiritual sights in Veliko Târnovo
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A
Church of Sveti Dimitâr
Across the river, enclosed by a high wall, is Târnovo’s oldest church, the beautifully proportioned Church of Sveti Dimitâr. Built in the so-called Târnovo style, it was named after St Dimitrios, patron saint of Thessaloniki in northern Greece. During the church’s consecration in 1185, Tsars Asen and Petâr proclaimed an uprising against Byzantine rule, which would create the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396). It’s often closed, but a warden at the Church of Sveti Petar & Pavel can open it on request.
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Church of Sveti Petar & Pavel
Two blocks north, the late-13th-century Church of Sveti Petar & Pavel features three layers of remarkable 11th- and 17th-century murals. This is the most interesting of the churches, mainly as there are some surviving early-11th-century wall paintings. The best preserved is in the corner to the left of the altar, where Jesus on the cross is being comforted by the Virgin Mary.
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C
Church of Sveti Georgi
The nearby Church of Sveti Georgi, probably built in 1612 on medieval church ruins, was initially destroyed by the Ottoman invaders, but restored during their rule in the early 18th century. It boats impressive murals inside. The Tsarevets Fortress ticket office arranges visits.
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D
Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa
There are also notable frescoes at the Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa, the town’s main cathedral. Located just off ul Ivan Vazov, the church’s large green neo-Byzantine domes distinguish it on the old town’s skyline.
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E
Forty Martyrs Church
The Forty Martyrs Church, in the old Asenova quarter, was originally built in 1230 to celebrate Tsar Asen II’s victory over the Byzantines. It was used as a royal mausoleum, and then as a mosque by the Turks.
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F
Church of the Assumption
The tiny Church of the Assumption, built in 1923 over a ruined 14th-century church, is usually closed, but it's very pretty with blue-painted bas-reliefs decorating its sides.
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G
Church of Sveti Nikolai
Up in Varosha, visit the Church of Sveti Nikolai, built in 1879.
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I
Church of Sveti Dimitâr
Across the river, enclosed by a high wall, is Târnovo’s oldest church, the beautifully proportioned Church of Sveti Dimitâr. Built in the so-called Târnovo style, it was named after St Dimitrios, patron saint of Thessaloniki in northern Greece. During the church’s consecration in 1185, Tsars Asen and Petâr proclaimed an uprising against Byzantine rule, which would create the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396). It’s often closed, but a warden at the Church of Sveti Petar & Pavel can open it on request.
reviewed
