History of BulgariaHistory of Bulgaria
Cut-out photograph of the church reconstructed in 1981; not a surviving medieval building.
Rebuilt church

Tsarevets, Tarnovo · Second Tsardom

How did the capital fall in 1393?

What happens behind these walls?

9 scenes · 3 min · Sources · 19

StartListen

The tsar governed the state from the palace. The patriarch, the head of the Bulgarian Church, directed Church life. Then come Baldwin the captive, the Ottoman siege and Euthymius’s exile. How do we distinguish remains, reconstructions and traditions?

A green hill with fortress walls and a church at the top.

Part 1 · Second Tsardom

The palace on Tsarevets

In the late twelfth century, Tarnovo became the capital of the restored Bulgarian tsardom. A tsardom is a state ruled by a tsar, or king. For over two centuries, decisions about government and the Church were made here. But the capital was more than one castle. It included several hills and neighbourhoods along the River Yantra.

On Tsarevets stood the palace and the buildings of the Church’s leader. There were homes on the hill too. The tall walls in the photograph include reconstructed parts. What did they enclose?

Listen to scene · 1

Synthetic voice · 0:29
Sources · 4
  1. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  2. Деян Рабовянов Крепостта Трапезица в развитието на Търновград като столица на Второто българско царство PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 380–391
  3. www.vacacionesbulgaria.com File:Tsarevets-Panorama.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  4. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated
A river below a steep green slope, with a bridge and fortress walls above it.
Geographic context, without historical bordersGeographic context, without historical borders12
Geographic context, without historical borders

Part 2 · Second Tsardom

A river below the walls

The Yantra bends below Tsarevets’s steep slopes. According to the museum, this protected position helped make the hill a centre of government. It did not make the fortress impossible to capture.

The royal palace had its own wall and towers. Inside were a hall with the tsar’s throne, living rooms and offices. Officials prepared state documents in the offices. Higher up stood the buildings of the patriarch, the head of the Bulgarian Church.

Listen to scene · 2

Synthetic voice · 0:26
Sources · 5
  1. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  2. Machiel Kiel TIRNOVA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2012 · 41 · 118–122
  3. Wikimedia contributors Tsarevets Wikimedia geographic records · not applicable
  4. Wikimedia contributors Baldwin’s Tower Wikimedia geographic records · not applicable
  5. Андрей Романенко File:Tsarevets Veliko Tarnovo 02.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
A reconstructed church with a dome and a tall bell tower on the right.

Part 3 · Second Tsardom

Books beside the patriarch

The patriarch is the head of the Bulgarian Church. His complex, a group of connected buildings, contained a library and a scriptorium. A scriptorium is a room where books were copied by hand.

In the courtyard stood the Church of the Ascension of the Lord. We see the reconstructed church. The photograph alone cannot show what books the library held.

1 · Bell tower
The tall tower holds bells. It forms part of the church reconstructed in 1981.
2 · Dome
A dome is a curved roof over part of the church. Here we see the reconstructed church.

Listen to scene · 3

Synthetic voice · 0:21
Sources · 4
  1. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  2. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated
  3. Българска патриаршия – Българска православна църква ВЪЗНЕСЕНИЕ ГОСПОДНЕ Православна мисъл · 2011 · unpaginated
  4. Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece File:Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God Veliko Tarnovo Klearchos 1.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
A reconstructed stone tower with battlements and a dark opening high in the wall.

Part 4 · Second Tsardom

Baldwin: the captive and the tower

The tower bears the name of Baldwin of Flanders. He was the Latin emperor. He ruled a state founded in Constantinople by warriors from western Europe. In 1205, Tsar Kaloyan’s forces captured him in the battle of Adrianople.

An old story, called a tradition, places his prison in this tower. That location is unproven. According to a published description, the tower was reconstructed in the nineteen thirties. The tower at Cherven served as its model.

1 · Tower battlements
Battlements are the raised parts along the top of the wall. Here we see the reconstructed tower.
2 · Wall opening
This visible opening does not establish where Baldwin was held. The prison location remains a tradition.

Listen to scene · 4

Synthetic voice · 0:28
Sources · 4
  1. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95
  2. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated
  3. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89
  4. Kandi File:Baldwin's Tower.JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable

Part 5 · Second Tsardom

Baldwin and his tower

What do we know about Baldwin’s prison?

  1. A tradition links it to this tower.
  2. Baldwin’s room can be identified in the photograph.
  3. Kaloyan was the prisoner in it.
Why is that?

A Latin author also records the capture in 1205. A tradition links the captive to this tower. It is unproven that his prison was here.

Correct · A tradition links it to this tower.

  1. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated
  2. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95
  3. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89

Listen to scene · 5

Synthetic voice · 0:02
Sources · 3
  1. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated
  2. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95
  3. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89
A stone gate with a large arch and a narrow opening above it.

Part 6 · Second Tsardom

Ottoman forces besiege Tarnovo

Ottoman forces of Sultan Bayezid the First besieged Tarnovo. Sultan is the Ottoman ruler’s title. In a siege, an army surrounds a fortified town to capture it. In the conventional historical account, Tsar Ivan Shishman was then at Nikopol. Patriarch Euthymius remained in Tarnovo.

The town was taken. Its fall is usually dated to 1393. The photograph of the reconstructed gate does not show how the soldiers entered. What happened to the inhabitants afterward?

Listen to scene · 6

Synthetic voice · 0:29
Sources · 4
  1. Атанаска Стамболийска Събитията в Търново непосредствено след завладяването му от османските турци и съдбата на престолонаследника Александър Шишман PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 554–584
  2. Machiel Kiel TIRNOVA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2012 · 41 · 118–122
  3. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated
  4. Kandi File:Tsarevets 22.JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable

Part 7 · Second Tsardom

Activity: put events in order

Put the events in order, earliest first.

  1. Baldwin’s capture
  2. Capture of Tarnovo
  3. Reconstruction of the tower
  4. Reconstruction of the church
Why is that?

The capture comes first, then the siege. According to the published description, the tower was reconstructed in the 1930s. The church was reconstructed in 1981, after the tower.

Correct order

  1. Baldwin’s capture
  2. Capture of Tarnovo
  3. Reconstruction of the tower
  4. Reconstruction of the church
  1. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95
  2. Атанаска Стамболийска Събитията в Търново непосредствено след завладяването му от османските турци и съдбата на престолонаследника Александър Шишман PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 554–584
  3. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89
  4. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated

Listen to scene · 7

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 4
  1. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95
  2. Атанаска Стамболийска Събитията в Търново непосредствено след завладяването му от османските турци и съдбата на престолонаследника Александър Шишман PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 554–584
  3. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89
  4. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated
Low foundations and taller reconstructed walls of the palace complex.

Part 8 · Second Tsardom

Euthymius leaves Tarnovo

Euthymius’s pupil Gregory Tsamblak describes the killing of leading townspeople in Tarnovo. He also describes the patriarch’s farewell to his people. Euthymius was sent into exile: forced to leave his home.

Tsamblak wrote a panegyric, a text of praise. It includes a miracle: the executioner’s arm becomes motionless. This is a legendary motif, not an independently confirmed event.

Listen to scene · 8

Synthetic voice · 0:25
Sources · 6
  1. Григорий Цамблак; превод П. Русев, Г. Данчев, А. Давидов Похвално слово за св. Евтимий Pravoslavieto.com, digital transcription of a medieval panegyric in modern Bulgarian translation · unpaginated
  2. Радослава Станкова / Институт за литература, БАН, SESDIVA Gregory Tsamblak SESDIVA: popular saints, authors and works · unpaginated
  3. Machiel Kiel TIRNOVA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2012 · 41 · 118–122
  4. Атанаска Стамболийска Събитията в Търново непосредствено след завладяването му от османските турци и съдбата на престолонаследника Александър Шишман PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 554–584
  5. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  6. Pudelek (Marcin Szala) File:Veliko Tarnovo (Велико Търново) - Tsarevets (Palace).JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable

Part 9 · Second Tsardom

Who works in the palace?

Match each place with its role in the story.

  1. Palace · Government of the state
  2. Patriarchal complex · Administration of Church life
  3. Scriptorium · Copying books
  4. Baldwin’s Tower · Tradition about a captive
Why is that?

The tsar governs from the palace, the patriarch directs Church life, and books are copied in the scriptorium. Tradition links the tower to Baldwin.

  1. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  2. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated

Listen to scene · 9

Synthetic voice · 0:03
Sources · 2
  1. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  2. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated

A new find for your collection

Tsarevets was a centre of state and Church power. Its fall is known through different kinds of evidence; reconstruction and legend do not replace proof.

NikopolWhy did the crusade stop at Nicopolis?Explore another struggle over power and freedom.Boyana Church · BoyanaThe faces of BoyanaGeorgi Ivanov · BaikonurInto orbit, without docking

People in this story

Ivan ShishmanBayezid IKaloyanEuthymiusBaldwin I of FlandersGregory TsamblakSt PetkaIvan Shishman · Rulers

Sources

  1. Българска патриаршия – Българска православна църква ВЪЗНЕСЕНИЕ ГОСПОДНЕ Православна мисъл · 2011 · unpaginated
  2. Wikimedia contributors Baldwin’s Tower Wikimedia geographic records · not applicable
  3. Wikimedia contributors Tsarevets Wikimedia geographic records · not applicable
  4. Machiel Kiel TIRNOVA TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi · 2012 · 41 · 118–122
  5. Регионален исторически музей – Велико Търново Архитектурно – музеен резерват „Царевец“ РИМ – Велико Търново · unpaginated
  6. Kandi File:Baldwin's Tower.JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  7. Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece File:Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God Veliko Tarnovo Klearchos 1.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  8. Kandi File:Tsarevets 22.JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  9. Pudelek (Marcin Szala) File:Veliko Tarnovo (Велико Търново) - Tsarevets (Palace).JPG Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  10. www.vacacionesbulgaria.com File:Tsarevets-Panorama.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  11. Андрей Романенко File:Tsarevets Veliko Tarnovo 02.jpg Wikimedia Commons · not applicable
  12. Деян Рабовянов Крепостта Трапезица в развитието на Търновград като столица на Второто българско царство PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 380–391
  13. Министерство на туризма на Република България Царевец (страница за Велико Търново) · unpaginated
  14. Атанаска Стамболийска Събитията в Търново непосредствено след завладяването му от османските турци и съдбата на престолонаследника Александър Шишман PDF Владетел, държава и църква на Балканите през Средновековието. Велико Търново: Университетско издателство „Св. св. Кирил и Методий“ · 2020 · 554–584
  15. Радослава Станкова / Институт за литература, БАН, SESDIVA Gregory Tsamblak SESDIVA: popular saints, authors and works · unpaginated
  16. Национален туристически клъстер „Българският пътеводител“ Архитектурно-историческият резерват „Царевец“, гр. Велико Търново BG Guide · unpaginated
  17. Григорий Цамблак; превод П. Русев, Г. Данчев, А. Давидов Похвално слово за св. Евтимий Pravoslavieto.com, digital transcription of a medieval panegyric in modern Bulgarian translation · unpaginated
  18. Еберхард Унджиян Петима души в две лодки – по Лома през 1961 година PDF Природа (БАН) · 2022 · 82–89
  19. Geoffrey de Villehardouin; translator Frank T. Marzials Memoirs or Chronicle of the Fourth Crusade and the Conquest of Constantinople London: J. M. Dent; Fordham University, Internet Medieval Sourcebook · 1908 · 67–69; 94–95

Images

Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The patriarchal Church of the Ascension, reconstructed in 1981. The photograph shows a reconstruction, not an intact medieval building.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. The patriarchal Church of the Ascension, reconstructed in 1981. The photograph shows a reconstruction, not an intact medieval building. Cut-out detail; background removed.

www.vacacionesbulgaria.com · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Overview of the hill; the visible tall walls and church include reconstructions.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: www.vacacionesbulgaria.com, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Overview of the hill; the visible tall walls and church include reconstructions. Processed image.

Андрей Романенко · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Present-day photograph of the Yantra below Tsarevets. The bridge and reconstructed masonry do not show the appearance in 1393.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Андрей Романенко, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Present-day photograph of the Yantra below Tsarevets. The bridge and reconstructed masonry do not show the appearance in 1393. Processed image.

Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The patriarchal Church of the Ascension, reconstructed in 1981. The photograph shows a reconstruction, not an intact medieval building.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Klearchos Kapoutsis from Santorini, Greece, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. The patriarchal Church of the Ascension, reconstructed in 1981. The photograph shows a reconstruction, not an intact medieval building. Processed image.

Kandi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

According to a published description, Baldwin’s Tower was reconstructed in the 1930s, modelled on Cherven’s tower. The tradition does not establish the prison location.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kandi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. According to a published description, Baldwin’s Tower was reconstructed in the 1930s, modelled on Cherven’s tower. The tradition does not establish the prison location. Processed image.

Kandi · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Present-day photograph of the reconstructed gate. It does not establish where Ottoman forces entered.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Kandi, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain. Present-day photograph of the reconstructed gate. It does not establish where Ottoman forces entered. Processed image.

Pudelek · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Low walls and reconstructed parts of the palace complex. The photograph does not reproduce the inside of the hall with the throne.

Open source

Full attribution

Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Low walls and reconstructed parts of the palace complex. The photograph does not reproduce the inside of the hall with the throne. Processed image.

Geographic context, without historical borders

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso · Public domain · Natural Earth

Open source

Full attribution

Tom Patterson · Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso