Archaeologists have uncovered the 14th-century church of the medieval monastery of St. Theodosius of Tarnovski near Veliko Tarnovo, in northern Bulgaria, shedding light on the rich historical legacy of the region. The excavation was led by Hitko Vachev and Iliyan Petrakiev from the Regional Museum of History of Veliko Tarnovo.
Veliko Tarnovo, once the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396), is situated in the northern central part of the country. The city is renowned for its medieval heritage, making it a significant location for archaeological research. The discovered church, located near the village of Samovodene and the St. Troitsa monastery, is part of the Tarnovo Holy Mountain, a site known for its many monasteries and churches that thrived between the 12th and 14th centuries.
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The remains of the medieval church are remarkably well-preserved, providing invaluable insights into the period’s architectural practices. Built during the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander in the 14th century, the church showcases intricate designs typical of Tarnovo architecture. Both the structural elements and the ornate decorations, including wall paintings, are considered exquisite examples of medieval craftsmanship.
Photo courtesy Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo
Vachev also believes that this church was the main building of the monastery, connecting the results of the archaeological research with the data from the Life of St. Theodosius of Turnovski.
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The excavations have been carried out in stages, funded by the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and private donors. As the team continues their work, Vachev is optimistic that they may soon discover the grave of St. Roman Turnovski, a close companion of St. Theodosius.
Photo courtesy Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo
Conservation efforts have preserved important elements of the site, including wall paintings conserved by Dr. Plamen Sabev and architectural features restored by Ruen Hadjinikolov. Among the most striking finds are a cross, an ampoule for ointment, and a spoon for communion, providing a tangible connection to the spiritual life of the medieval monastery.
This discovery offers a remarkable window into Bulgaria’s medieval past and the enduring cultural importance of Veliko Tarnovo as a centre of religious and political power. The ongoing excavations may yet reveal more secrets of the Second Bulgarian Empire’s monastic life.
Archaeologists have uncovered the 14th-century church of the medieval monastery of St. Theodosius of Tarnovski near Veliko Tarnovo, in northern Bulgaria, shedding light on the rich historical legacy of the region. The excavation was led by Hitko Vachev and Iliyan Petrakiev from the Regional Museum of History of Veliko Tarnovo.
Veliko Tarnovo, once the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1396), is situated in the northern central part of the country. The city is renowned for its medieval heritage, making it a significant location for archaeological research. The discovered church, located near the village of Samovodene and the St. Troitsa monastery, is part of the Tarnovo Holy Mountain, a site known for its many monasteries and churches that thrived between the 12th and 14th centuries.
The remains of the medieval church are remarkably well-preserved, providing invaluable insights into the period’s architectural practices. Built during the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander in the 14th century, the church showcases intricate designs typical of Tarnovo architecture. Both the structural elements and the ornate decorations, including wall paintings, are considered exquisite examples of medieval craftsmanship.
Vachev also believes that this church was the main building of the monastery, connecting the results of the archaeological research with the data from the Life of St. Theodosius of Turnovski.
The excavations have been carried out in stages, funded by the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and private donors. As the team continues their work, Vachev is optimistic that they may soon discover the grave of St. Roman Turnovski, a close companion of St. Theodosius.
Conservation efforts have preserved important elements of the site, including wall paintings conserved by Dr. Plamen Sabev and architectural features restored by Ruen Hadjinikolov. Among the most striking finds are a cross, an ampoule for ointment, and a spoon for communion, providing a tangible connection to the spiritual life of the medieval monastery.
This discovery offers a remarkable window into Bulgaria’s medieval past and the enduring cultural importance of Veliko Tarnovo as a centre of religious and political power. The ongoing excavations may yet reveal more secrets of the Second Bulgarian Empire’s monastic life.
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