tution - one of the most democratic constitutions in Europe at that time - in the 1879. The first tracks of living are traced on the Trapezitsa hill and date back to the third millennium B.C. The remains unearthed on the Tsarevets hill date back to the end of the Bronze age (13th century B.C.) The first inhabitants of the city had been the Thracians whose settlement exists until the end of the Bronze age. The next settlers are the Byzantines. In the 8th century A.D. there existed a major Slavonic settlement. In the 1187 the boyar brothers Asen and Peter deposed the Byzantine government and declared Veliko Tarnovo a capital of the Bulgarian state. The emblem of Veliko Tarnovo – the fortress hill Tsarevets speaks for the history of the city and for the places connected to the glory of the Bulgarian Empire. Tsarevets hill is one of the best preserved historic monuments in Bulgaria. Surrounded by the Yantra river on three sides, enclosed by a fortress wall and built on natural sheer cliffs, it is known as the most impregnable Bulgarian citadel. Tsarevets did not only perform the function of a well consolidated fortress. It was a real medieval city. The palace, the Patriarchal church, residential and administrative buildings were situated inside. Recently, the Tsarevets hill , located in the eastern part of Veliko Tarnovo is announced as an architecture reserve. The entrance gate, the Baldwin Tower and part of the fortress walls are preserved. The king`s palace- and the Patriarchal complexes of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (12th to 14th centuries) are restored. On the Trapezitsa hill are unearthed the foundations of 17 churches, among which the picturesque Asenova mahala is situated. The Cathedral temple ‘Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno’ is the biggest working church in Veliko Tarnovo. The Museum of the Bulgarian Revival and Constituent Assembly situated in the Old ‘konak’ built by the master builder Kolyo Ficheto is the place where in the 1879 the
Tarnovo Constitution was

adopted. The Archeological museum is located in the vicinity. On Gurko street the romanticism of the Bulgarian Revival is embodied by an unique architecture – the incredible Sarafkina`s House, the ‘St.St. Konstantin and Elena’ church, as well as by the magnificent view to the river and to the Asenevtsi Monument. Another quarter from the same period impressive due to its architecture and the enchanting narrow cobbled streets is ‘Varusha’. In ‘Varusha’ is located the Samovodska charshia with its craftman`s workshops, little souvenir shops and art galleries. From the panoramic viewpoints of the quarter reveals a splendid scenery to the whole city. The Architectural Reserve Arbanasi is situated close by. In the area are located a great number of beautiful monasteries, the
remains of the ancient Roman town Nicopolis ad Istrum, the park ‘Asenevtsi’. Veliko Tarnovo is an administrative centre. The friendly climate, the presence of natural and historical sites and the development of the folklore art crafts are preconditions for the development of the tourism. In Veliko Tarnovo is designed the unique audio-visual performance ‘Tsarevgrad Tarnov – Sound and Light’. The Sound and Light Show in the Tsarevets hill is an attraction for the visitors of the city. This audio-visual program was first displayed in 1985 by combining of sound and light impressions , performing the history of the ancient Bulgarian capital. The show is organized on request. Its purpose is, by the effects of music and illumination to create a remarkable emotional image of the Tsarevets hill fortification which gathers together the whole historic essence, majesty and glory of the ancient city – synonym of the Bulgarian spirit and national pride. The leading element in the show is the specially written music by means of which the historical events can be followed and their invisible images can be characterized.