Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs

About

The Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs is one of Veliko Tarnovo’s most sacred and historically charged places. Built in 1230 by Tsar Ivan Asen II, it commemorates his victory at Klokotnitsa and became the burial site of several Bulgarian rulers and nobles. Its long basilica form, unusual for the period, reflects the ambition of the Second Bulgarian Empire at its peak. Inside, the most remarkable feature is the inscription of Tsar Ivan Asen II, carved into a marble column that originally stood in the ancient city of Pliska. This text is one of Bulgaria’s most important medieval documents, celebrating the empire’s expansion. Nearby stands the column of Khan Omurtag, another priceless artifact linking the church to Bulgaria’s earliest rulers. The interior preserves fragments of medieval frescoes that hint at the grandeur of its original decoration. Archaeological work has revealed royal burials, including that of Tsar Kaloyan, whose remains were identified through a remarkable combination of historical sources and physical evidence. The church’s riverside location adds to its atmosphere: the Yantra flows quietly beside it, and the silhouette of Tsarevets rises just across the water.

Veliko Tarnovo Bulgaria

Location

The Church of the Holy Forty Martyrs is in one of the most historic corners of Veliko Tarnovo, right in the old Asenov quarter at the foot of Tsarevets Hill, on the left bank of the Yantra River. The address is ul. Sveti Kliment Ohridski 22, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. You will find it just below the fortress walls, where the river bends, a short walk from the old town. Because of its location you are in the middle of everything. Literally above you is Tsarevets Fortress, the medieval stronghold of the Second Bulgarian Empire, with the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension, Baldwin’s Tower and the old royal palace ruins. Across the small square is the impressive Monument to the Asen Dynasty, the four horsemen. A five minute walk along the river brings you to the Samovodska Charshiya, the old crafts street full of workshops and souvenir shops, and to museums like the Regional Historical Museum and the lovely Sarafkina House Museum. Nearby are also other old churches like St. Peter and Paul, the Trapezitsa Fortress on the opposite hill and the bridge with the best sunset views over the city.