Veliko Tarnovo, one the most popular destinations for cultural tourism in Bulgaria, expects a rise in the number of tourists in the coming months. The town  that used to be Bulgaria’s capital in the Medieval period has more than 7,000 years of history and its guests are astonished by the houses, built amphitheatrically on the banks of the Yantra River, as well as the old bridges, medieval churches, museums and the emblematic Tsarevets stronghold, located on a hill crowned by a patriarchal church.

As spring is almost here, the municipality team are near the completion of a project related to the enrichment of the exposition of wax figures, presented in the Multimedia Visitor Center. Completely realistic models of Bulgarian tsars, boyars, clergy, etc. are part of the new dioramas that present events related to the history of the old Bulgarian capital. Radio Bulgaria’s Veneta Nikolova learned more about the tourist attraction that will be opened in the coming weeks. She spoke to Borislav Yordanov, manager of the municipal company "Tsarevgrad Tarnov":

"This season, Veliko Tarnovo can welcome its guests with the new extension of our Multimedia Visitor Center opened in 2012. The exhibition used to be on 2 floors but it is currently being upgraded and now occupies 4 floors. Here people will be able to see new scenes from the Second Bulgarian Kingdom, such as the Battle of Klokotnitsa, the defense of the old capital city, the Medieval market, etc. The new exposition will present 37 wax figures that look like they are actually alive.”

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Another tourist attraction that has become more popular recently is wine tourism. Veliko Tarnovo has several small and large boutique wineries. While walking along the emblematic Samovodska Charshia tourists can stop by at the wine center where they can taste and buy wines produced in the region, Borislav Yordanov tells us.

The town also relies on festival tourism to attract more guests in the summer. On July 1, a production of Verdi's Rigoletto performed by the Bucharest Opera will open this year's edition of Stage of the Ages Opera Festival in the Tsarevets Fortress, which will continue until the beginning of September.

But before that, from June 8 to 11, the fortress will host for yet another year the International Reenactment Festival. "Tourists will immerse themselves into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. They will see how people lived, how they defended themselves, how they produced paper, etc.," Borislav Yordanov says.

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Tourists also show great interest in the adventure game called "The Secret of the Nine Keys". The unique experience will take you back to the glorious past of Tsarevets:

"In this way, while looking for each hidden key, people experience a very interesting tour of the whole hill and in fact become medieval detectives. Participants try to discover what happens in the tale that they immerse themselves in. The game is available in three languages. People are provided with historical information that is part of the game and their tour becomes very entertaining," Borislav Yordanov says.

English: Al. Markov

Photos: Veneta Nikolova, velikoturnovo.info, Facebook /Фестивал "Сцена на вековете" - Велико Търново