Trapezitsa Fortress, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Trapezitsa is located on a hill around which the Yantra River winds in Veliko Tarnovo. Steep cliffs make the place difficult to access. The first fortified settlement, built on the hill, dates from the late Chalcolithic Age (4200-4000 BC). During the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age there was a Thracian settlement on the hill.

The first traces of the medieval defense system on Trapezitsa date back to the 12th century AD. Main fortifications were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, during the Second Bulgarian Empire. Then Tarnovo became the capital of Bulgaria, and Trapezitsa was the second most important citadel of the city, after Tsarevets.

In 1195 Tsar Ivan Asen I transferred the relics of St. Ivan Rilski to a church built on Trapezitsa Hill. A monastery was built around it, bearing the name of the saint. Tsar Kaloyan transferred the relics of St. Gabriel of Lesnovo to the church “St. Apostles ”on Trapezitsa.

The hill is surrounded by a thick fortress wall made of crushed stone. Its height reached 6 meters. The fortress was entered through four entrances. The main entrance to Trapezitsa was located on the southeast side and was connected to Tsarevets by a bridge over the Yantra River opposite the Holy Forty Martyrs Church.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Bulgaria

User Reviews

Moe Chekhar (12 months ago)
Takes you back in time! Especially the Church! Also looked meticulously well maintained

Bruna Paz (13 months ago)
The fortress is amazing for a walk around and explore what ancient times seemed like and felt like. It’s a bit pricey for the place itself. The ticket is 10 leva for a walk. The walk is kid friendly and not to hard to make however in order to see some places there are many steeps and uphill which can be a bit difficult. I recommend to go in the morning so there’s no line for the tickets and it has less tourists.

Jiboo piu (2 years ago)
A must if you visit Bulgaria. This fortress is beyond big, is huge! Loved the Church on top

Derek (2 years ago)
The fortress is amazing and considerably bigger than expected. There are spectacular views of the city. There is lots of information posted all over the fortress, however we had a tour guide who gave us fascinating insights into the whole history of the fortress, the palace and monastery etc within.

Tomas M. (Tomas985) (2 years ago)
This place is huge. To see everything you would need all day. The main castle is really pretty inside and if you pay 3 euros to get on top of it - views are astonishing. The surrounding area is also nice, worth visiting and good for a walk. Some information is playing from the speakers but not all of it in English. However, upon entering we were asked if we needed an English guide. The most impressive view of this fortress is of course at night or the evening when the lights are on. It is a really nice site to see.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Trapezitsa Fortress

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle