Veliko Tarnovo Province

Veliko Tarnovo Province spans northeastern Bulgaria with multiple districts containing a mix of mountain terrain and fertile valleys. The provincial capital, Veliko Tarnovo, sits on a hill overlooking the Yantra River and serves as the main administrative and cultural hub for the region.

The province was established in 1999 as part of Bulgaria's major administrative reform, consolidating several older districts. Veliko Tarnovo itself was once the capital of medieval Bulgaria and retained cultural and symbolic importance during this reorganization.

The region holds strong connections to Bulgarian craftsmanship and pottery traditions, visible in small villages where local artisans continue age-old techniques. Walking through certain towns, you can observe how residents maintain these practices as part of daily life and community identity.

The region can be reached from the capital Sofia by car or bus in about two to three hours. Different towns and villages sometimes require local transport or a personal vehicle for full exploration of the area.

The village of Arbanasi is known for its stone houses that display architectural features from multiple centuries, resembling an open-air museum. Many of these buildings have been carefully preserved and still convey how life looked in earlier times.

Location: Bulgaria

Inception: January 8, 1999

Capital city: Veliko Tarnovo

Shares border with: Lovech Province

Website: http://vt.government.bg

GPS coordinates: 43.31667,25.55000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:47