The Assenevtsi Monument in Veliko Tarnovo

Overview

The Assenevtsi Monument in Veliko Tarnovo stands tall next to the Boris Denev State Gallery, the Yantra River, at the feet of the Sveta Gora Hill, and overlooking the beautiful traditional Bulgarian houses of the Old Town.

The Asenevtsi were three brothers named Asen, Petar, and Kaloyan. Asen and Peter liberated Bulgaria from Byzantine rule. Kaloyan turned Bulgaria into one of the main forces in Eastern Europe and was the first and only Bulgarian ruler that defeated the army of crusaders. Ivan Asen II (the son of Asen)  further expanded Bulgarian territory, extending it to three seas – the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Adriatic Sea.

During the rule of these four tsars, Bulgaria reached its zenith and Veliko Tarnovo became the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.

The Asenevtsi Monument was built in 1985 to commemorate 800 years since the rebellion of the brothers Asen and Peter. The tall sword pointing to the skies and situated in the middle of the ensemble symbolizes the power of Medieval Bulgaria. Starting from the tsars facing the gallery, from left to right you see Asen, Petar, Kaloyan, and Ivan Asen.

The monument and the surrounding park are a favourite recreation, as well as a summer scene and venue for cultural and musical events.