As one of the three ancient capitals of Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is located in the north-central part of Bulgarian, and once served as the capital of Bulgaria in history. In the late 12th century, the Bulgarian aristocracy Asen brothers organized the military forces in Veliko Tarnovo to break away from the Byzantine Empire, created a new kingdom, and established the capital there. In 1393, the Ottoman Empire conquered Bulgaria, leaving the city in ruins. The surrounding terrain of the city is of great strategic importance. And it’s the second largest city in the Balkans in the Middle Ages, second only to Constantinople. Now, a lot of historical monuments and attractions are well preserved. The old town has been designated a key protected zone and a tourism area. The ancient town is located on the two mountains of Tsarevets and Terra peja, between which Yantra River winds through. The two mountains are enclosed by walls.