Tryavna Old Town
About 40 km. from the town of Veliko Tarnovo is the town of Tryavna in the Gabrovo region. The city is worth taking the time to visit, due to its rich history and cultural heritage. Tryavna impresses with its incredible history over the centuries, its beautiful architecture, as well as the famous Tryavna Art School.
The first settlers of the area around Tryavna were Thracians, as evidenced by the discovery of an ancient Thracian sanctuary in the area of Elova Mogila, built in the IV century BC. Archaeological excavations have uncovered numerous bronze bells, which played a symbolic role in honoring the deity in whose honor the sanctuary was built.
After the Thracians, the area and the Tryavna Stara Planina passes were conquered by the Romans, who left behind the famous Vereya Drum – a Roman road connecting the Danube with the White Sea and Constantinople through the provinces of Moesia and Thrace.
In July 811, in the Tryavna Pass, Khan Krum defeated the Romans and killed the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus, and in 1190 the pass was a glorious scene for the victory of kings Assen and Peter over the armies of Emperor Isaac II Angel.
Near the town of Tryavna is the village of Tsareva Livada, about which legends say that the kings of the Asenevtsi family left piles of “royal” finds from the summer palace of Tsar Ivan Asen II.
The area around Tryavna is also known for the fact that during the siege of Tarnovgrad by the Ottomans in 1393 it gave shelter and protection to many boyars and clergy who fled from Tarnovo.
The city also played a leading role in the struggle for national liberation. It was in Tryavna that the associate of Vasil Levski, Angel Kanchev, was born, and the deacon himself visited the city many times to organize his revolutionary activities. A large number of people from Tryavna joined the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation (over 200 people), and Tryavna celebrated its Freedom on St. Peter’s Day 1877.
The main historical symbol of the city is the Tryavna Art School, which was founded during the Renaissance by Vitan Karchov and is best known for its woodcarvers and painters.
Generations of architects, craftsmen and builders have left their mark on the architectural appearance of the city. One of the most famous and symbolic buildings in the town of Tryavna is the Daskalov House, which is the main application for the appearance of the Revival architecture. In addition, you can see and enjoy the Revival streets in the Kachaun neighborhood, as well as many iconic and picturesque creations in churches and homes throughout the city.
A real masterpiece and pride for the town of Tryavna is the Tryavna School, which is one of the first secular schools in Bulgaria. It is located on the main square with the clock tower and impresses with its appearance and history.
Another symbol of the city is the arched stone bridge, built by Dimitar Sergyuv in 1844-1845.
Queen Joanna, wife of Tsar Boris III, donated her dowry in 1938 for the construction of the Children’s Royal Sanatorium for the treatment and prevention of lung diseases, which treats children from all over the country.
For directions to Tryavna from Chamurkov guest house in Veliko Tarnovo click here
