The Telegraph Dec 2006  'Few people outside Bulgaria have heard of this town, but to Bulgarians Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital, is home to their Buckingham Palace, or Tsarevets. This huge fortress was home in the 13th century to the country's tsars, who established the Second Kingdom, when Bulgaria briefly gained independence from Byzantine forces. Much of the fortification lies in ruins, but it is reached by a spectacular stone causeway, and offers dramatic views of the River Yantra far below as it worms its way through the town. Veliko Tarnovo's setting is extraordinary, hugged tight against huge loops of the River Yantra, with houses teetering over the water, like nervous divers on the edge of a springboard.'

In 1879 the Great National Assembly adopted the Tarnovo Constitution, the supreme fundamental laws of the nation in the Town hall. Here the full independence of Bulgaria was proclaimed in 1908.

In 1965 the city was renamed Veliko (“Greater”) Tarnovo. Nowadays Veliko Tarnovo ranks in the most beautiful towns in Bulgaria and amongst the most visited places in the country.

The town has many cultural museums, monuments and architectural preserves. A beautiful light and sound show is displayed all year on Tsarevetz Hill. It is also a University City with the St. Cyril and Methodius University being the second well-established university in Bulgaria.

During the long existence of the town people here have created and preserved a lot of unique cultural records, connected with the glorious history of the Bulgarian people. Veliko Tarnovo is not the oldest Bulgarian town, but no doubt, according to foreigners' and Bulgarians' confessions it is the most Bulgarian town! Town, whose spirit represents Bulgaria and its deep roots and its way to the future.

Today every visitor in Veliko Tarnovo remains enchanted by the beauty and grandeur of the town, by its landmarks, by the atmosphere that combines past and present and turns Tarnovo in an attractive place - A place where one can see cobblestone streets, scenic old houses and modern buildings, young students having fun and old women sitting and chatting in the evening on Ghurko Street.