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All Bulgaria Veliko Tarnovo Asen Dynasty Monument

Asen Dynasty Monument

An homage to the medieval rulers of Bulgaria.

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

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Statues depict first four Asen rulers.   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Statues depict first four Asen rulers.   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Monument overlooks the Tantra river   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Asen Dynasty Monument   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Ivan Asen I   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:N_...
May 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
  oldino / Atlas Obscura User
  oldino / Atlas Obscura User
  oldino / Atlas Obscura User
  rdevens86 / Atlas Obscura User
May 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
May 2023   DMStephenson / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Ivan and Peter Asen led a bloody rebellion against Bulgaria's Byzantine overlords in 1186. The Asen family went on to found a powerful dynasty, and ruled Bulgaria for a century. 

Sofia is the capital of modern day Bulgaria, but the Asen Tsars ruled from Veliko Tarnovo. A monument to the Asen dynasty in the center of the city marked 800 years after the Asen brothers proclaimed Veliko the capital.

Ivan and Peter ruled the newly liberated Bulgaria together and undertook battles against Byzantine forces. A system of hereditary rule allowed the family to retain power and the seat of the Tsar was exchanged regularly between family members. As one expects, however, it wasn't always happy families.

Ivan Asen II overthrew his own cousin Boril and then blinded him. Others died in attempts to expand the empire too. 

The monument Veliko Tarnovo looks down on to the Yantra river and the old town. The statues depict the first four Asen rules; Ivan, Peter, Kaloyan and Asen II. Each Tsar flails a sword on a horse reared up on its hind legs. They circle a huge sword pointing up to the sky. 

 

 

 

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Monuments Empire Statues

Community Contributors

Edited By

kostas1964ath, rdevens86, oldino, jlord7...

  • kostas1964ath
  • rdevens86
  • oldino
  • jlord7
  • DMStephenson

Published

July 22, 2016

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Sources
  • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ivan-Asen-II
  • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kaloyan
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asen_dynasty1
Asen Dynasty Monument
15 ul. "Alexander Stamboliyski"
Veliko Tarnovo, 5000
Bulgaria
43.082546, 25.637629
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Nearby Places

Ascension Cathedral

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

miles away

Transfiguration Monastery Tunnel

Samovodene, Bulgaria

miles away

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Samovodene, Bulgaria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

Bulgaria

Places 4

Nearby Places

Ascension Cathedral

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

miles away

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Transfiguration Monastery

Samovodene, Bulgaria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo

Bulgaria

Places 4

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