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Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo Region is situated in Central Northern Bulgaria. It is bounded north by the Danube River and south by the Balkan Mountains. It also borders the regions of Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Targovishte and Ruse, and over the Danube it borders Romania. The relief in the region is diverse - there are lowlands, hilly plains, river valleys and heights of the fore-Balkan Mountains, parts of the central Balkans. The Yantra is the largest and high water river in the region. Some other big rivers are Yantra's tributaries - the Rositza and Dryanovo Rivers. Well-developed is the stockbreeding sector. The reserves of Haydushki Chukar ("Haidouk Crags") and Byalata Krava ("White Cow) are located in the Balkan Mountains of Elena. The protected area of Staria Dab ("Old Oak") on the island of Vardim is an abundant biodiversity site. Here is the largest colony of great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) in Bulgaria. The protected area of Slona ("Elephant) stands out for its impressive century-old oak and hornbeam trees. The famous pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) "Slona" (Elephant) (with a circumference of the trunk 7.5 m) and Baikushev's white fir in the Pirin Mountains are peers of the Bulgarian skate. Most picturesque of the natural landmarks are the Emen Canyon and the Dryankovo Hill.
There are 140 cultural monuments of national significance within the area of Veliko Tarnovo Region. Here are some of the most visited cultural and historic sites which make tourism a significant part of the region's economics. The cultural history of the area dates back to the prehistoric age. Vestiges of the late Paleolithic Age (the 4th millennium BC) have been found. The first inhabitants of the region were the Thracian tribes. Near the village of Nikyul lie the remnants of the Roman town Nicopolis ad Istrum and in the vicinity of Svishtov are the remnants of Novae. The region was also the host of the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom - Veliko Tarnovo. Among the most visited sites are the medieval castle of Tzarevetz and the impressive audiovisual spectacle "sound and Light", a unique performance on the Balkan Peninsula. There are remains of ancient and medieval castles near the villages of Vetrentzi, Vishograd and Draganavo. The village of Arbanasi is a unique ensemble of fortified stone-made houses and richly painted churches. Very valuable are the architectural monuments of the National Revival period - a multitude of churches, monasteries and houses that were built by talented Bulgarian masters. The largest number of churches and monasteries in Bulgaria is in Veliko Tarnovo Region which is a very good condition for the development of pilgrimage tourism.
The numerous cultural monuments, the rich and diverse fauna and thermal waters near the village of Voneshta Voda ("Stinking Water") provide conditions for cultural and hunting tourism along with medical and balneological tourism. The vine-growing complexes in Lyaskovetz, Suhindol, Karaysen and Svishtov stimulate the wine tourism. The municipalities of Elena, Zlataritza, Strazhitza and Pavlikeni specialize in rural tourism.