History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Depiction on a coin · 13th century · detail
Depiction on a coin

Second Bulgarian Tsardom · Tsar

Ivan Asen II

1218–1241

Won at Klokotnitsa in 1230; Bulgaria extended its influence.

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Life

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Ivan Asen II ruled the Second Bulgarian Tsardom in 1218–1241. He won at Klokotnitsa in 1230, extending Bulgaria’s influence. The Ivanovo museum account links him with support for the monk Joachim in founding the rock monastery. This is patronage: a ruler helps a religious community. In 1235 Joachim became patriarch, head of the Bulgarian Church. The monastery’s history thus connects the royal court and the monks. Supporting the monastery and identifying the ruler in the surviving, disputed mural portrait are different questions.

Sources · 15

Open · Ivan Asen II

Achievements

  • Supported Joachim in founding the monastery.
  • Ruled in 1218–1241.
  • Won at Klokotnitsa in 1230.

In our stories

Sources

  1. Ian S. R. Mladjov Bulgaria (Bălgarija): kings and emperors of the Bulgarians; princes of Bulgaria and kings of the Bulgarians Ian Mladjov’s Resources, Chronologies. Author’s working chronology, updated March 2024, 6 pp. · 2024
  2. Министерство на външните работи на Република България История МВнР, Информация за България, undated web overview.
  3. Регионален исторически музей – Русе Ивановски скални църкви Официален уебсайт, експозиционна страница
All sources (15)
  1. UNESCO World Heritage Centre Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo UNESCO World Heritage List, property 45
  2. Elka Bakalova A Contribution to Contemporary Art Science PDF Palaeobulgarica · 1981 · V · 100–103
  3. Official tourism portal of Bulgaria / national tourism administration; individual author not stated Bulgaria: Pilgrimage Tourism PDF Official Bulgaria tourism brochure · 5 (printed); 7 (PDF)
  4. RuseXplore; linked by Регионален исторически музей – Русе Ивановски скални църкви RuseXplore, museum-linked heritage project
  5. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Църква „Св. 40 Мъченици“ и манастирски комплекс „Великата лавра“ РИМ Велико Търново, official website
  6. Музеен комплекс „Св. 40 мъченици“; archival news, author unnamed 5.09. „Св. 40 мъченици“ отвори врати за богомолци st40martyrs.org, site archive · 2006
  7. Васил Н. Златарски; фототипно издание под ред. Димитър Ангелов История на българската държава през средните векове. Том III: Второ българско царство. България при Асеневци (1187–1280) Наука и изкуство, София; digital transcription macedonia.kroraina.com · 1972 · 323–348 (chapter), 338–345 used
  8. Detlef Kulman Asen II. Biographisches Lexikon zur Geschichte Südosteuropas · 1974 · 1 · 103–104
  9. Мая Петрова-Танева Търновският надпис на цар Иван Асен II, св. 40 „добропобедни“ мъченици и някои аспекти на култа им във Византия и в средновековна България PDF Старобългарска литература; Институт за литература, БАН · 2014 · 69–96
  10. Svik File:Ivan Asen II of Bulgaria Column.jpg Wikimedia Commons
  11. Dimitri Kulman Asen II. Biographisches Lexikon zur Geschichte Südosteuropas, vol. 1, pp. 103–104 · 1974
  12. Kiril Gospodinov The Translation of Medieval Sources and Historical Reconstruction: a New Perspective on the Problem of the Birth Year of the Bulgarian Tsar John II Assen (1218–1241) PDF Studia Ceranea 15 (2025), pp. 213–236 · 2025

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Depiction on a coin

Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons

Depiction on a coin · 13th century · detail

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Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5. Depiction on a coin · 13th century · detail