Veliki Preslav

Велики Преслав

The second Bulgarian capital and a golden-age cultural centre, with archaeological ruins and the celebrated Round Golden Church. Its museum displays exquisite Preslav ceramic and gold treasures.

Things to do

• Round Golden Church — Explore the ruins of this remarkable 10th-century rotunda, one of medieval Bulgaria's most original architectural monuments.
• Preslav Archaeological Reserve — Walk the fortified inner and outer city ruins of the second Bulgarian capital, spread across a vast excavated site.
• Archaeological Museum of Preslav — View the famous Preslav Treasure of Byzantine and Bulgarian gold jewellery alongside exquisite painted ceramic icons.
• Ceramic icon of St Theodore — Admire the celebrated painted ceramic tile icon, a masterpiece of the Preslav Ceramic School.
• Royal Palace ruins — Trace the foundations of the tsar's palace and throne hall where medieval Bulgarian rulers held court.
• Patriarch Basilica walk — See the remains of the large basilica that served as an ecclesiastical centre during Preslav's golden age.
• Kamchia River valley stroll — Enjoy the green riverside setting around the town and its surrounding hills below the Preslav monastery sites.

Food to try

• Kapama — A slow-baked layered dish of meats, sauerkraut and rice popular in the Shumen region around Preslav.
• Shumensko beer — The nearby city of Shumen brews Bulgaria's well-known lager, widely served in Preslav taverns.
• Banitsa — Flaky filo pastry filled with white cheese and eggs, a classic Bulgarian breakfast found in local bakeries.
• Grilled kebapche and kyufte — Minced-meat grilled specialities served with lyutenitsa and fresh bread at village-style mehanas.
• Shopska salad — A refreshing starter of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and grated sirene cheese served everywhere.
• Homemade rakia — Fruit brandy distilled by local families, offered as a welcoming aperitif before meals.

Local customs & good to know

• Combine museum and ruins — The museum sits apart from the main reserve, so plan for a short drive or walk between the treasure exhibits and the ancient city.
• Preslav literary heritage — This was home to the Preslav Literary School where Old Bulgarian scholars developed the Cyrillic alphabet, a source of great local pride.
• Dress for walking — The archaeological reserve is large and open with uneven paths, so bring sturdy shoes, water and sun protection.
• Respect church ruins — Treat the sacred remains of the Golden Church and basilicas quietly, as they remain important national monuments.

Nearby

• Shumen & Fortress — 16 km
• Madara Rider — 28 km
• Pliska — 34 km
• Sliven (Southeastern Bulgaria) — 66 km