Today we visited the 2 fortresses on the hilltops of Veliko Tarnovo, Trapezitsa Fortress and Tsarevets Fortress, built during the 2nd Bulgarian empire from 12-14C, as the citadels of that dynasty.
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| Trapezitsa Fortress |
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| Trapezitsa Fortress |
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| Trapezitsa Fortress |
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| Trapezitsa Fortress |
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| Trapezitsa Fortress |
It is easy to see they are in very strategic locations for defence, both on hilltops on the headlands formed by 2 rivers that form ox bow shape bends. The areas inside the walled citadels are big with only the low walls of many churches left behind.
I enjoyed the panoramic views of mostly forested hills, with small groups of houses in the valleys. The grass fields are full of all colours of wild flowers, very densely packed. Indeed Bulgaria has nearly 40 % forest coverage and has the highest biodiversity rate in Europe.
Walked
back down to Veliko Tarnovo town, to check out the veg market. A lot of
leafy greens and most store sells veg seedlings. So many varieties of
seedlings available, all big and tall already. I wish so much to bring
some home and plant in my garden.
Instead found a gardening shop
nearby and happily rummage through their collection to find interesting
local varieties, like thick flesh red pepper and super sweet and
delicious tomato etc, as souvenirs.
Dinner at restaurant Rich, next to the river with a panoramic view. Asked for the famous Lyutenitsa sauce, roasted paprika and tomato, full of flavor, and grilled meat.
Veliko Tarnovo 山上有兩座十二至十四世紀城堡，是重要景點，城牆圍住整個山頭，山下以兩條屈曲河道分隔，可見選址建城堡的原因。
高處往下看，四周土地起伏，綠樹林陰，草地是各色野花，房屋不多，資料指出，保加利亞土地有近四成是樹林，在歐盟是biodiversity 最高的國家。
到街市走一轉，菜檔不少兼售各式菜苗，已經長得高大，品種多，看得心癢癢，不能帶回家。幸好附近小店出售種子，一家四口努力推介當地獨特品種，厚身甜紅椒、最紅最甜美的番茄等等，心滿意足的買下多包，最佳記念品。
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