Inscripción de Iván Asen II, Medieval inscription in Holy Forty Martyrs Church, Bulgaria
The Inscription of Ivan Asen II is a medieval text carved into a marble column inside the Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. The column stands in the northern part of the church interior and is one of three columns preserved in the building.
The inscription was carved in 1230, shortly after Tsar Ivan Asen II defeated Theodore Komnenos Doukas at the Battle of Klokotnitsa. That victory allowed Bulgaria to extend its territory across much of the Balkans.
The text is written in Church Slavonic and Latin, reflecting how both languages were used for formal records in medieval Bulgaria. Visitors can still read the carved letters clearly on the marble surface.
The inscription is inside a church, so modest clothing is recommended for the visit. The church in Veliko Tarnovo is easy to reach on foot from the old town area.
The marble column bearing the inscription was originally taken from the ancient Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum and later brought to the church. This means the stone itself connects two very different historical periods, Roman and medieval Bulgarian.
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