Contributions from Key Figures

Karel Shkorpil’s Educational Endeavors (1891-1894)

During his tenure as a teacher at the High School for Boys in Turnovo from 1891 to 1894, Karel Shkorpil made significant strides in unraveling the history of Turnovo. He meticulously crafted plans and penned detailed descriptions, culminating in a comprehensive report titled “The Monuments in Turnovo and a Project for Excavations of the Old Bulgarian Capital,” which he presented to Tsar Ferdinand in 1893. Accompanying this report were 37 volumes containing plans, photographs, drawings, and sketches. In 1910, Shkorpil’s work was published as a seminal study titled “A Plan of the Old Bulgarian Capital Turnovo.”

George Sior’s French Expedition (1900)

In 1900, French archaeologist George Sior embarked on a significant expedition commissioned by Tsar Ferdinand. His excavations on Trapezitca yielded the discovery of an impressive 14 churches. Notably, his exploration of Tsarevets, particularly Chan Tepe (The Bell Hill), led to the uncovering of The Church of the Patriarch.

Ministry of Education’s Artistic Commission (1903-1904)

In 1903-1904, the Ministry of Education commissioned renowned reproduction artist V. Dimov from the National Museum to replicate the frescoes found in the newly discovered churches in Trapezitca Private Tours Istanbul. Dimov not only produced faithful reproductions but also meticulously drafted plans of the churches. His extensive study was published in 1915, shedding further light on Turnovo’s architectural and artistic heritage.

Revival of Archaeological Society (1905)

In 1905, the archaeological society resumed its activities. Under the guidance of M. Moskov, significant efforts were made, including the clearance of sections of the palace building in Tsarevets, excavation of the Well east of “The Church of the Patriarch,” and investigation of the tower-well on the left bank of the Yantra river, near the so-called Balduinova Kula (tower). Subsequent excavations conducted by Moskov in 1906 focused on two noteworthy Turnovo churches: “Sveti Dimitur” and “Sveti Chetiredesete Muchenici” (Saint of Forty Martyrs), with findings published in 1912.

The First Archaeological Conference (1910)

On June 6-8, 1910, the Turnovo archaeological society organized the First Archaeological Conference of the Society in Bulgaria. Despite the significant damage caused by an earthquake on June 1, 1913, which affected many of Turnovo’s monuments, archaeological excavations persisted.

Restoration and Exploration Initiatives (1930s-1959)

In the 1930s, the first restoration efforts of the old capital began under the initiative of the Ministry of Public Works and the Turnovo Council. In 1946, exploration of “The King Palace” (Tzarskia Dvorets) commenced. Notably, from 1958 to 1959, the study of the fortress walls established the cultural stratification layers for the first time, providing invaluable insights into Turnovo’s historical evolution.

Contributions from Key Figures

Karel Shkorpil’s Educational Endeavors (1891-1894)

During his tenure as a teacher at the High School for Boys in Turnovo from 1891 to 1894, Karel Shkorpil made significant strides in unraveling the history of Turnovo. He meticulously crafted plans and penned detailed descriptions, culminating in a comprehensive report titled “The Monuments in Turnovo and a Project for Excavations of the Old Bulgarian Capital,” which he presented to Tsar Ferdinand in 1893. Accompanying this report were 37 volumes containing plans, photographs, drawings, and sketches. In 1910, Shkorpil’s work was published as a seminal study titled “A Plan of the Old Bulgarian Capital Turnovo.”

George Sior’s French Expedition (1900)

In 1900, French archaeologist George Sior embarked on a significant expedition commissioned by Tsar Ferdinand. His excavations on Trapezitca yielded the discovery of an impressive 14 churches. Notably, his exploration of Tsarevets, particularly Chan Tepe (The Bell Hill), led to the uncovering of The Church of the Patriarch.

Ministry of Education’s Artistic Commission (1903-1904)

In 1903-1904, the Ministry of Education commissioned renowned reproduction artist V. Dimov from the National Museum to replicate the frescoes found in the newly discovered churches in Trapezitca Private Tours Istanbul. Dimov not only produced faithful reproductions but also meticulously drafted plans of the churches. His extensive study was published in 1915, shedding further light on Turnovo’s architectural and artistic heritage.

Revival of Archaeological Society (1905)

In 1905, the archaeological society resumed its activities. Under the guidance of M. Moskov, significant efforts were made, including the clearance of sections of the palace building in Tsarevets, excavation of the Well east of “The Church of the Patriarch,” and investigation of the tower-well on the left bank of the Yantra river, near the so-called Balduinova Kula (tower). Subsequent excavations conducted by Moskov in 1906 focused on two noteworthy Turnovo churches: “Sveti Dimitur” and “Sveti Chetiredesete Muchenici” (Saint of Forty Martyrs), with findings published in 1912.

The First Archaeological Conference (1910)

On June 6-8, 1910, the Turnovo archaeological society organized the First Archaeological Conference of the Society in Bulgaria. Despite the significant damage caused by an earthquake on June 1, 1913, which affected many of Turnovo’s monuments, archaeological excavations persisted.

Restoration and Exploration Initiatives (1930s-1959)

In the 1930s, the first restoration efforts of the old capital began under the initiative of the Ministry of Public Works and the Turnovo Council. In 1946, exploration of “The King Palace” (Tzarskia Dvorets) commenced. Notably, from 1958 to 1959, the study of the fortress walls established the cultural stratification layers for the first time, providing invaluable insights into Turnovo’s historical evolution.

Contributions from Key Figures

Karel Shkorpil’s Educational Endeavors (1891-1894)

During his tenure as a teacher at the High School for Boys in Turnovo from 1891 to 1894, Karel Shkorpil made significant strides in unraveling the history of Turnovo. He meticulously crafted plans and penned detailed descriptions, culminating in a comprehensive report titled “The Monuments in Turnovo and a Project for Excavations of the Old Bulgarian Capital,” which he presented to Tsar Ferdinand in 1893. Accompanying this report were 37 volumes containing plans, photographs, drawings, and sketches. In 1910, Shkorpil’s work was published as a seminal study titled “A Plan of the Old Bulgarian Capital Turnovo.”

George Sior’s French Expedition (1900)

In 1900, French archaeologist George Sior embarked on a significant expedition commissioned by Tsar Ferdinand. His excavations on Trapezitca yielded the discovery of an impressive 14 churches. Notably, his exploration of Tsarevets, particularly Chan Tepe (The Bell Hill), led to the uncovering of The Church of the Patriarch.

Ministry of Education’s Artistic Commission (1903-1904)

In 1903-1904, the Ministry of Education commissioned renowned reproduction artist V. Dimov from the National Museum to replicate the frescoes found in the newly discovered churches in Trapezitca Private Tours Istanbul. Dimov not only produced faithful reproductions but also meticulously drafted plans of the churches. His extensive study was published in 1915, shedding further light on Turnovo’s architectural and artistic heritage.

Revival of Archaeological Society (1905)

In 1905, the archaeological society resumed its activities. Under the guidance of M. Moskov, significant efforts were made, including the clearance of sections of the palace building in Tsarevets, excavation of the Well east of “The Church of the Patriarch,” and investigation of the tower-well on the left bank of the Yantra river, near the so-called Balduinova Kula (tower). Subsequent excavations conducted by Moskov in 1906 focused on two noteworthy Turnovo churches: “Sveti Dimitur” and “Sveti Chetiredesete Muchenici” (Saint of Forty Martyrs), with findings published in 1912.

The First Archaeological Conference (1910)

On June 6-8, 1910, the Turnovo archaeological society organized the First Archaeological Conference of the Society in Bulgaria. Despite the significant damage caused by an earthquake on June 1, 1913, which affected many of Turnovo’s monuments, archaeological excavations persisted.

Restoration and Exploration Initiatives (1930s-1959)

In the 1930s, the first restoration efforts of the old capital began under the initiative of the Ministry of Public Works and the Turnovo Council. In 1946, exploration of “The King Palace” (Tzarskia Dvorets) commenced. Notably, from 1958 to 1959, the study of the fortress walls established the cultural stratification layers for the first time, providing invaluable insights into Turnovo’s historical evolution.