Veliki Preslav, the ancient capital of Bulgaria, has been an interesting subject for research work for ages. Its past and the remains have always excited researchers and scientists. The glory of the capital was well known even far back in the heyday of the Ottoman Empire. Its grandeur has attracted many historians, travellers and geographers and they all have been tempted to explore and describe the ruins preserved in Veliki Preslav. What we know today is thanks to the writings, maps and sketches of people like Jakov Bongarius, Luidji Marsili, Petar-Bogdan Backshev, Hadji Kalfa, Felix Kanitz and many other. The real boom in Preslavian ruins research, however, started no sooner than 19th c. when many enlighteners and patriots decided to devote their lives to search proofs for and traces from the glorious distant past of the town. After the liberation from Turkish Yoke in 1878 and once an independent state system was established, it became easeir in the new conditions to start a better scientifically justified research of ancient Preslav. In 19th c. (in the 80s-to be more precise), K.Irechek - a historian, toured the whole region and described everything he found. Later on, V.Zlatarski-another prominent figure, made the first probes where the Palaces were considered to have been. In 1905, the academician F.Uspenski-director of the Rissian Archeological Institute in Konstantinopolus, was invited to research the ruins in the ancient capital. He was discouraged by the outcome of his research and the poor findings and discoveries. The scientist wrote a report to royal prince Ferdinand explaining that unfortunately, Preslav had been ravaged to a great extent and that "...the ruins are of no particular scientific interest". Different, however, proved to be the opinion of a Preslavian teacher and researcher - Jordan Gospodinov, who together with K.Shkorpil established in the fall of 1906 the Prealavian Archeological Association named "Ticha". Thanks to that civil organization, the excavations in Patleina (to the south from the town) became possible in 1909. The very first findings were striking. An imposing 9th or 10th century monastery compound was found with unfamiliar by then magnificent examples of fine ceramics, which today is known among scientists as the Preslavian Painted Ceramics. Among the findings there was a monumental icon of St.Theodor. The parts of the icon were later put back together. From that moment on, comments and discussions started and all Preslavian discoveries became famous worldwide.

In 1927, as a commemoration of one thousand years since the death of tsar Simeon, Jordan Gospodinov and K.Shkorpil undertook excavations of a huge hill situated about three hundred metres southwards off the Palace. Owing to military back-up and help, hard work advanced really fast. Soon, the ruins of a building with a very interesting and original architecture planning and marble flooring were uncovered. The whole mound was filled with a great number of marble pieces and various slabs of the already known kind of ceramics - painted eramics.

The amazing success was the reason why Kr.Mijatev - curator of Medieval Department- was sent the very next year (1928) from the National Archeological Museum in Sofia to guide and be in charge of the researches. It was the circular form of the nave that misled researchers for they recognized the whole place as the "Golden Church" dating back to 907 and which was mentioned by the monk Tudor Doksov. The newly found church was given the name,"The Round/Golden Church" and under that name is has been known until now.

Consequently, N.Mavrodinov, V.Mavrodinova, I.Zhandova, St.Stanchev, T.Totev, D.Ovcharov and many other of the most prominent Bulgarian experts took part in the yearly planned researches that were launched in Preslav after WWII. As a result, there were found enormous building sites in the Palace centre, bathrooms, estates and monasteries in the Inner Town and the periphery. It was possible to trace down two fortress walls enclosing a territory of 3,5 square kilometres. The King's Palace, the Patriarch's Palace, the civil housing site in Selishte, the Palace Monastery, the monasteries in Avradaka and Tuzlaluka are the most remarkable landmarks. There were also discovered some new workshops for the production of painted ceramic icons, ornamental slabstones and table ceramics. A great number of lead seals dating back to the Byzantine administrative system in the town was found in a solid building in the Inner Town. Now, the seals comprise one of the most precious sfragistic collections in the world. In 1978, in the surroundings of the ancient capital, farmers found golden jewelry inlaid with enamel, precious stones and pearls. This is the Preslavian Golden Treasure which has been exhibited in many famous museums all over the world. Nowadays, most of the transportable artifacts are kept and exhibited in the Preslavian Archeological Museum. As to the rest of the significant architectural monuments, the convenient tourist infrastructure makes it possible to go sightseeing and feel the spirit of the ancient grandeur of Preslav.