Велико Търново (Veliko Turnovo)

Last week, I attended a project design and management conference in Велико Търново (in English sometimes spelled Veliko Turnovo and sometimes spelled Veliko Tarnovo). Steeped in history and boasting a picturesque hillside setting, Veliko Turnovo is an extremely popular tourist destination. Hoping to explore the city before the conference, we arrived early in the afternoon the day before. Unfortunately, steady rains prevented us from doing anything other than driving around a bit, and a full schedule during the conference left no time on those days either. Then, on the last day of the conference, I got hit with a wicked case of either food poisoning or the flu (I wasn't alone in my misery, as perhaps half the people who were in attendance at the conference also spent time hugging porcelain). In any event, I was unable to properly explore what on the surface appeared to be one of Bulgaria’s most interesting, pleasant, and eye-catching cities. On the bright side, it gives me an excuse to return.

A few shots of the city.





This is Anesid Monument, featuring a huge sword surrounded by four Bulgarian tsars. Even if you aren't interested in Bulgarian history, it's a good spot from which to view the city.