“Veliko Tarnovo grew quickly to become the strongest Bulgarian fortification
of the Middle Ages between the 12th and 14th century
and the most important political, economic, cultural
and religious centre of the empire.
The city was described by Bulgarian cleric Gregory Tsamblak in the 14th century
as "a very large city, handsome and surrounded by walls
with 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants"”
Veliko Tārnovo