Trapezitsa

Trapezitsa Hill is the second stronghold of the internal ancient city of Veliko Tarnovo. It is on the right bank of the river Yantra, northwest of Tsarevets. This hill also is a natural fortress, surrounded from three sides of the river. Once on the steep rocks there was a stronghold with high walls and towers. Two cross-fortified walls were going down the slopes of the hill – the first in the eastern part, near the Church of “St. Dimitar “and the other – in the western slope with the current towards the rail bridge. In the fortress had four entrances. The main entrance of Trapezitsa is located on the south side and was associated with Tsarevets through the bridge over the river Yantra against the Church “St. 40 martyrs “.

At this input there was leading stone path cut into the rock and reaching the southern port, traces of which are reserved in the present. There are two versoins for the name of the Trapezitsa hill. According to some that name is associated with the word “Table” and according the others it comes from “trapeze” because the shape of the plateau is like trapezium. During excavations in 1884 and 1900 have been discovered foundations of 17 churches. With scarce fragments retained on the walls, they seem to have been richly decorated with frescoes and mosaics of many colors and their floors were covered with beautiful ceramic tiles. Found materials are not published and therefore have remained unknown to science and history of the town, but by kept files relating to these excavations show that there were discovered old crosses, necklaces, coins, rings, earrings, containers and other remains which seem to be from old Bulgarian times.