In this edition of Answering Your Letters on Radio Bulgaria we focus on RB’s monthly quiz. This is a new feature we started in February and we asked you one and the same question over several shows, giving you new hints every time. It’s finally time to announce the answer and the names of our listeners who answered correctly.
Which city in Bulgaria is referred to as “the city of the tsars”?
And here is a summary of all hints we gave you:
it's got a very beautiful medieval stronghold in the very center; it was one of Bulgaria's historical capitals; it’s located on the Yantra River in Northern Bulgaria and it is a two hours’ drive from our border with Romania, it has a large British community, and it has a unique sound and light show in the evening. And last but not least, it celebrated its holiday on March 22 with a unique 3-d mapping and laser show, the first of its kind ever done in Bulgaria so far.
We’d like to thank all of you who wrote to us with your guesses and answers! Our special giveaways will be soon on their way to you!
© Photo: www.imagesfrombulgaria.com
And the answer, of course, is Tsarevgrad Tarnov, or as the town is known nowadays Veliko Tarnovo (meaning Great Tarnovo in Bulgarian).
This is a remarkable place in Bulgaria that has to offer a wealth of history, culture and beautiful scenery to all its guests from Bulgaria and abroad. Veliko Tarnovo was one of Bulgaria’s historical capitals, more precisely in the Second Bulgarian Kingdom from the 12th to the 14th century before the Ottoman domination. And following Bulgaria's Liberation in 1878, the first National Constituent Assembly was held there in 1879 and yes, Bulgaria’s independence was declared there in 1908 very close to the medieval fortress of Tsarevets (the hill of the tsars). Only some of the main sights include the Samovodene Market is really interesting and charming, it is in the old town and there are small restored workshops of craftsmen such as woodcarvers, pottery makers, goldsmiths, jewelers, and others.
There are many reasons to visit this particular town in Bulgaria apart from the historical sights and rich past. It has the lovely small-town atmosphere and some really good restaurants with local dishes and a vibrant cultural life with all kinds of folk music, opera in the open air, rock festivals, and whatever. And another major hint – some of the best rocks for climbing in Bulgaria in the town’s vicinity and one of the best rock-climbing clubs in this country.
In our show, we have given you only a taste of this magnificent place but you can find much more on RB’s website where we have brought you features on this town in many previous programs.
Another quiz is coming up for you next Saturday!
Be sure to listen!
