Historic Landmark
Church St. Dimitar Solunski

Veliko Turnovo church "St. Dimitar ' occupies an important place in the history of the Bulgarian state. It is the oldest and most accurately dated Medieval church in Turnovo and is associated with the announcement of the uprising in 1185 under the leadership of Peter and the boyars Asen rejection of Byzantine rule. In her first rulers were crowned by Asen dynasty - Peter Ivan Asen ! Furthermore, the church is famous monument of Turnovo School of Painting . In 1927 it was declared a national historical monument in 1964 - an architectural monument of national importance , and in 1979 - a monument of culture of national importance.

"St. Dimitar ' is located at the northeastern slope of the hill Trapezitza the right bank of the Yantra River . After postroyavanieto her at the end of XVII or early XVIII century it was to set up a monastery . The two buildings survive to the third quarter of the XIII century , when they were destroyed, probably an earthquake . Later , in the XV century with materials from the demolished church of " St. Dimitar" south of it was built another church , which rests on the foundations of the southern monastery building . Was created and a great Christian necropolis , which lasted until the beginning of XX century it are revealed and explored more than 500 burials preserved today in a special ossuary in the northern part of the yard .

At the end of the XVIII century and the beginning of the XIX century "St. Demetrios ' was robbed of kurdjalis . Brief descriptions of her in the XIX century have left Dr. Vasil Beron , Dr. Ch. Daskalov , Felix Kanitz and others. In the second half of the XIX century the church was badly damaged , and the earthquake in 1913, finally destroying it . Remains solely with the apse with fragments of original frescoes on both niches.

The first archaeological excavations to Veliko Tarnovo church began in 1906 and continued for 15 years. Then were examined narthex , naos and the courtyard of the temple. Overall scientific archaeological research began in 1971 under the direction of Prof. M. Nikolova and January Robov . Scientists found that the church was a basilica , cross church with a narthex , nave and altar. Apse - pentahedral . The exterior decoration was achieved by alternating stone and mortar to hold bricks and reinforced by four- built estuaries and plates covered with multicolored glaze. Based on the planned design features your church belongs to the so-called . churches with " tight cross ."

Based on archaeological research in 1977 started volume and architectural restoration of the church . Restored temple "St. Dimitar " was opened as a museum in 1985 in connection with the 800th anniversary of the uprising of Peter and Asen against Byzantine oppressors and the announcement of Tarnovo as the capital of the renewed Bulgarian state.

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