Trapezitsa Fortress

Trapezitsa is located on a hill around which the Yantra River winds in Veliko Tarnovo. Steep cliffs make the place difficult to access. The first fortified settlement, built on the hill, dates from the late Chalcolithic Age (4200-4000 BC). During the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age there was a Thracian settlement on the hill.

The first traces of the medieval defense system on Trapezitsa date back to the 12th century AD. Main fortifications were built in the 13th and 14th centuries, during the Second Bulgarian Empire. Then Tarnovo became the capital of Bulgaria, and Trapezitsa was the second most important citadel of the city, after Tsarevets.

In 1195 Tsar Ivan Asen I transferred the relics of St. Ivan Rilski to a church built on Trapezitsa Hill. A monastery was built around it, bearing the name of the saint. Tsar Kaloyan transferred the relics of St. Gabriel of Lesnovo to the church “St. Apostles ”on Trapezitsa.

The hill is surrounded by a thick fortress wall made of crushed stone. Its height reached 6 meters. The fortress was entered through four entrances. The main entrance to Trapezitsa was located on the southeast side and was connected to Tsarevets by a bridge over the Yantra River opposite the Holy Forty Martyrs Church.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Tsar Ivan Asen II 16, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Details

Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Bulgaria