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Photos: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Photo credits

Photos: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Baldwin's Tower and the captured emperor

  • 🇧🇬 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
  • Live video tour
  • 45 min
  • Bulgarian, English
  • Up to 12 people
  • History
Your local guide Nikolay Ivanov 11 years guiding View profile

Highlights

  • A captured emperor, far from home
  • One tower, one strange story
  • The fortress corner chosen for it
  • A Crusader-era prisoner explained
  • A short, focused piece of history

About this tour

This session focuses on one tower and the strange story attached to it, rather than the whole of Tsarevets. You see the rebuilt structure and the section of wall around it, with the story of a captured Latin emperor explained in full. It stays within this one corner of the fortress.

I explain the sequence of events slowly, since most guests arrive not knowing the story at all. Questions about the wider Crusader period come up often, and I answer as many as time allows.

This suits anyone who wants one strange, specific story explained well rather than a broad fortress tour. It also works well as a short add on before or after the full Tsarevets session.

Included

  • Live video walk with a local guide
  • Questions to your guide all the way
  • A short list of places to visit later

Not included

  • Internet connection
  • Travel to the city

Itinerary

  1. Welcome and sound check 5 min

    The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Veliko Tarnovo before heading out.

  2. Baldwin's Tower 15 min

    The camera looks up at the rebuilt tower, and I explain how the Latin emperor Baldwin the First ended up held prisoner here after a battle far from home.

  3. Tsarevets Wall near the Tower 15 min

    You see the section of wall closest to the tower, and I point out how this corner of the fortress was chosen for its distance from the main gate.

  4. Your questions 7 min

    Time to ask anything about Veliko Tarnovo: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.

  5. A short list to keep 3 min

    Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Banitsa (filo pastry with cheese) and Trapezitsa Slope, worth a slower look.

Good to know

  • A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
  • Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
  • Times are shown in Sofia time, so check the time where you are before you book.
  • The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
  • Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
  • Sessions run in small groups, up to 12 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.

Questions about this tour

What will the session cover?

The guide walks through Veliko Tarnovo, showing you Baldwin's Tower and Tsarevets Wall near the Tower live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.

What happens if my connection drops?

Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.

Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?

Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.

Do I need to know the history already?

No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.

How it works

  • You get one join link after booking.
  • Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
  • We meet on Google Meet and the link comes with your booking. I stay near the tower's base, since the strongest signal on the hill is there.

Times shown in Sofia time (EET)

Cancellation

Flexible

  • Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
  • Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
  • If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
  • Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.

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Next: Tue 3 Nov · 12 seats left From 17,00 €

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