Veliki Preslav: History, Nature and Hotels

Veliki Preslav can be explored through a range of themes: preserved palace and church remains, archaeological collections, an ethnographic house and natural areas. When planning your visit, it is worth considering both your historical interests and the relevant visiting conditions and route conditions.

Palace History and Museum Exhibits

At the Veliki Preslav National Historical and Architectural Reserve, you can see the remains of churches, monasteries, workshops, studios and palaces. The preserved palace complex includes the Great Palace and the West Palace. The Golden Church was built during the reign of Tsar Simeon I. A ruler’s temple was discovered during excavations and was connected to the ruler’s palace by a straight, 35-metre-long street.

The Veliki Preslav Archaeological Museum displays painted ceramics, jewellery, weapons, inscriptions, lead seals and a ceramic iconostasis. Its collections also include the Preslav Gold Treasure and artefacts illustrating everyday life and agriculture. So the focus is not only on palace and church remains: everyday objects are also among the things you can discover in the museum.

The Preslav Gold Treasure comprises more than 170 objects made of gold, silver and bronze. Its decorative features include cloisonné enamel, gemstones and pearls. Among the jewellery are works from the 10th century made in Constantinople and Preslav. In the museum, these works of craftsmanship are displayed alongside other collection items, while the monuments are associated with the city’s pre-capital, capital and post-capital periods.

The ethnographic “Kartalova” House offers a different perspective on ways of life. It presents traditional rural life in the 19th and early 20th centuries alongside elements of urban life introduced under European influence. Compared with the archaeological objects, the focus here is on everyday life and ways of living across these two spheres.

Visiting and Getting Around

Admission to Veliki Preslav is paid, and the site can be visited year-round; guided tours are available. Check opening details again before your trip. A renovated road leads to the reserve, but public transport is not available. This information is particularly important when planning your journey if you intend to visit the reserve.

The Tourist Information Center in Veliki Preslav provides information about regional cultural and religious sites, accommodation, dining establishments and events. At the information center in the palace complex, you can get information about medieval Preslav, as well as souvenirs and materials about the second Bulgarian capital. Guided discussions can be requested there in advance; check local availability if you plan to arrange one.

Near the St. Cyril and St. Methodius Temple-Monument, visitors will find a sheltered spot to rest and a nearby car park.

Nature Trails and Seasonal Highlights

The trail to Dervisha Waterfall starts at the car park beside Dervisha Reservoir and covers a distance of one kilometre to the waterfall. Along the way, two rivers must be crossed three times in total. The waterfall is about six metres high. Dervisha Reserve protects Bulgaria’s only natural population of horse chestnut trees. The short trail distance alone therefore says little about the conditions: these can vary near the water and on slippery slopes. Check conditions before setting out.

Another botanical highlight is the protected wild carob trees. They bloom in May in the vicinity of the Preslav National and Archaeological Reserve and grow in the Patleyna protected area. Since the flowering period can shift from year to year, take this into account if you are planning a trip to see the blossoms. In Veliki Preslav, historical museum and architecture themes thus sit alongside nature planning, where trail conditions or the season may play a role.

Discover more destinations: Preselka, Kaspichan and Shumen.

For the broader travel overview: Shumen Province.