Episode BG62. The Asen Dynasty: POWER of Medieval Bulgaria!
Hello, Bulgaria! 🇧🇬
Veliko Tarnovo is a city steeped in history – where every street, hill and building is a reminder of the time when Bulgaria was a great power on the Balkans. In this series, we dive into the very heart of the old capital, where the spirit of Asenevtsi still lingers in the monuments, bridges and stone streets. The route takes us from the city parks through iconic architectural and sculptural landmarks, reaching one of the most imposing monuments dedicated to the rise of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
You can navigate directly to a desired moment in the video by clicking on the timer👆
0:00 – Intro
0:33 – Play for reward!
2:06 – Where I am, brief information and explanations
3:59 – Trailer Bulgaria DropView
4:19 – Marno Pole Park
5:17 – Monument to Mother Bulgaria
7:41 – Veliko Tarnovo University
8:25 – Stambolov Bridge
9:49 – Boris Denev Art Gallery
10:44 – Monument to Asenevtsi
15:40 – Alley “Heroes of Bulgaria with Contribution to Veliko Tarnovo”
17:13 – St. Gora Park
💡 Other interesting places nearby:
BG63. Tsarevets Fortress: APEX of the Second Bulgarian Empire! FULL GUIDE!
BG64. Mini Bulgaria Park – Tour All of Bulgaria in One Hour!
BG66. Hotnitsa Waterfall: Secrets of the Canyon!
👉 References to other episodes:
BG63. Tsarevets Fortress: APEX of the Second Bulgarian Empire! FULL GUIDE!
BG64. Mini Bulgaria Park – Tour All of Bulgaria in One Hour!
M2. Veliko Tarnovo: Full Tour of the City of the Tsars
📌 What will we look at in this article?
📝 Episode Summary
🔥 The most interesting moments
⭐ Location assessment
✅ Final conclusion
📝 Brief summary of the episode
The episode takes us along a route where greatness and memory intertwine. We pass through the Marno Pole Park, the Mother Bulgaria Monument, the University building and the Stambolov Bridge to reach the Monument to the Assenevtsi – a large-scale composition with a 33-metre sword and four royal figures. We finish high – in the park “St. Gora”, from where we can see the view of Tarnovo, but also of all our medieval power.
🔥 What will you see in this episode?
The monument of Asenevtsi was erected in 1985 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the uprising of the brothers Asen and Peter. The composition includes four figures – Peter, Ivan Asen I, Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II – arranged around a 33-metre sword symbolising the restored statehood. The monument was designed by arch. Nikola Nikolov and sculptor Krum Damyanov. The Asenev dynasty itself ruled Bulgaria in the strongest period of the Second Kingdom, when Tarnovo became the capital and the state was again recognized as a kingdom by the Pope and Byzantium. Also included are the Stambol Bridge of 1892, the work of a Viennese firm, and the University of Veliko Tarnovo, founded in the 1960s.
The series starts from the Marno Pole Park, passes by the busts of General Gurko and Sava Mutkurov and reaches the Mother Bulgaria monument with a narrative about its political fate. Afterwards, there are shots of the university and a crossing of the Stambolov Bridge. Continue past the Boris Denev Art Gallery and climb to the monument to the Asenevtsi, where the four rulers are represented. The route ends in St. Gora Park, with panoramic views and a promenade with bas-reliefs of personalities such as Nikolai Haitov. Included are personal moments such as fatigue from the climb, but also a sense of a completed circle.
⭐ Location assessment
The assessment is entirely based on my personal impression and is made according to several main criteria considered separately. I use a 5-point scale where (1/5 – Very bad, 2/5 – Bad, 3/5 – Average, 4/5 – Good, 5/5 – Excellent)
| Criterion | Personal impression | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility 🚗 |
It stops in the central part of Veliko Tarnovo, but finding a parking space is difficult, especially at peak times, and it is paid. All points can be reached on foot, but the route involves steep sections and long stairs. | ★★★★☆ |
| History 📜 |
The Monument of Asenevtsi is one of the most significant monuments of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, erected in 1985 for the 800th anniversary of the uprising. It symbolizes the rise of Bulgaria under the Asenev dynasty and is a cultural and national icon. | ★★★★★ |
| Condition 🛠️ |
The monument is stable, but there is a feeling of need for restoration – especially on the base, as well as in the surrounding layout. The inscriptions and relief elements are very faded in places. | ★★★★☆ |
| Conveniences 🚻 |
There are restaurants, toilets and places to rest in the immediate vicinity as the site is in the central part of the city. The area around the monument itself is landscaped. | ★★★★☆ |
| Price 💰 |
Visiting the monument is free, but the art gallery nearby has a paid admission. However, general admission to the route does not require a ticket. Paid car rides – there are hardly any places where it is not paid. | ★★★★☆ |
★★★★☆
✅ Conclusion
Veliko Tarnovo is not just a city – it is a stage on which one of the most important dramas of Bulgarian history was played out. The Asenevts are not just rulers, but symbols of resistance, restoration and power. Their monument is more than a monument – it is a memory, a warning and an inspiration in one. And from the height of the “Holy Mountain” the feeling is not just panorama, but continuity.
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