As a location where the second Bulgarian capital was situated in 9th-10th c.AD., Preslav is blessed with unique and exceptional tourist resources-the Archeological Reserve of the ancient capital and the contemporary museum. The spots are equally attractive for both work and sightseeing to professional archeologists and tourists respectively.
the way to Veliki Preslav
The town has convenient road links; it is 20km. away from Shumen, the district centre, and 25km. away from Targovishte. Crossing the Old Mountain, The Varbishki pass provides a good access to the town from south. The roads in the pass are presently in good condition. Except by car, one can reach Veliki Preslav by train too. Take a train from Sofia, Varna or Rousse and get off in Shumen or Targovishte/ getting off in Targovishte is less convenient/. In Shumen you can catch a bus, which costs 1.oo lev or take a route taxi for 1.20lv.
 

location of the Archeological Reserve:
The main entrance to the museum in Preslav is from its eastern side where there is an alley passing by the cemetery of the town. This appears to be the best parking place for its immediate proximity to the ruins and the opportunity it gives for an overall view of the archeological reserve.
What could be seen in the exposition?
The museum has a rich collection of all significant monuments of medieval Preslav, among which: the jewelry from the Preslavian Golden Treasure, a monumental ceramic icon of St. Theodor, an iconostasis and many other precious artifacts of painted ceramics; numerous ancient signs and one unique collection of lead seals. Exhibitted are hundreds of items revealing Preslavians' everyday life and economy from old times.
 

a short walk among the ruins:
It takes a whole day to go sightseeing for the ancient capital takes up 3.5 square kilometres. Because of the vastness of the area, guides have always found it difficult to offer tourists a full length route.
Here is a possible route: you go straight down the alley from the parking lot in front of the museum and 300 metres ahead of you the outlines of the massive North Gate of the Inner Town will loom up in their greatness. Preslavians used to call the gate "The Iron Gate". In the Middle Ages, it was the main gate to a town that was usually given such a name,but we cannot ignore the fact that the numerous battles led in that part of the Preslavian castle might have also played their crucial role for giving the name of the gate.
Once you have crossed the gate, you find yourself in the calmest and coolest nook not only in Preslav, but in the whole neighbouring area - surrounded by one hundred-year-old pine woods, with a suitable parking area, an arbour and spring water. You can see there "St.St.Cyril and Methodius" cathedral. It was built in the memory of tsar Simeon-commemorating a thousand years since his death. One can also visit there the Archeological Base of the Bulgarian Science Academy /BSA/. Following the path which leads
directly to the palaces, situated immediately behind the Base, you will cross a round tower on a corner of a wall from an early aul /type of a residential accommodation/. The remains of two of the most impressive for their times Preslavian churches lie eastwards from the wall. You can also see graffitti - drawings and signs, at the foot of a part of the fortress wall. Reaching the end of the path, you will cross the contemporary road which will lead you directly to the riuns of the Preslavian Palace where archeological surveys are still being carried out. Southwards from the King's palace you can see a housing site, an imposing basilica and a luxurious bathroom, all of which,according to the researchers, used to belong to the Preslavian Patriarchate. If you cross the square eastwards from the Bathroom, you will see right in front of you the Furnace Building and another one enormous building which nowadays is called the Administrative Building. In a succession of arche-
ological seasons, there were found 500 lead seals, cores and moulds for casting - findings which form the biggest and richest sfragistic collection in the world that was discovered under such circumstances, documented, scientifically analysed and presented to the audience.
Looking southwards, your attention will be attracted by the greatness of the South Gate; from its top you can get a marvellous view of the surrondings. If your aim is to get to the ruins of the famous Round/Golden/ Church, you will have to continue walking south the alley passing by a not very big church in which you can see very well preserved signs dating back to times of proto-Bulgarian pagan shrines. Тhe church was discovered in 1927 by Jordan Gospodinov,a teacher and an
archeologist. It stands out with the circular shape of its nave and the original architectural decisions; therefore, even today the church excites the interest of both experts and history lovers.
Today, like one thousand years ago, the Round Church is deep in greenness and peace; the spring water is refreshing, the shadow and scent of the centuries-old pines could bring a brand-new life to you. You can stop by Mr.Gospodinov's grave and pay your respects to the persevering researcher of Preslavian past, who many people refer to as to the zealous Shliman.
And if you are still overwhelmed with curiosity after such a long walk, you can go to the valley where you will see the walls of a huge site with houses and churches. The area is called "The Settlement". In the tenth century, there were many feudal estates, monasteries and probably state institutions too. A convenient cart-road leads to a large monastery estate, which is three hundred metres westwards from the palaces. It became famous as The Palace Monastery because it used to be the only large-scale manufacture centre for Preslavian painted ceramics. Dozens of books were rewritten and translated into old-Bulgarian language in its scriptoriums. As it survived through the centuries, Veliki Preslav could tell stories not only about the grandeur of the past but it could also offer very interesting aspects of contemporary way of living. For example, folklore-style houses and rural daily life. Preslav attracts with its own unique way of living - that is the life of provinces-agricultural and tranquil. This could be seen in the ethnographic Cartol House as well as in the quiet rural way of living in the nearby village called Osmar. If you have decided on a group tour to the town, you could claim in advance your visit to the ethnographic house-museum, so that you could observe some Preslavian customs reproduced by a folklore group. And, of course, you will have the opportunity to taste some local dishes and wine.

churches in Veliki Preslav:
There are three churches in Veliki Preslav that could be of interest for a tourist. The first is "St.Peter and St.Pavel". It dates back to the times of the Turkish Yoke. The second is "St. Archanel Michael" in the centre of the town and the third, which we already mentioned, is "St.Cyril St.and Methodius" situated in the Archeological Reserve. The three give an interesting idea of the church architecture and art developing through a long course of time.

Kamchia river:
The main river in Eastern Bulgaria is Kamchia river. The area around the river, enclosed by the dam lake "Ticha" and the two bridges near the Archeological Reserve, proves to be of particular interest for tourists and camping lovers; it is also very suitable for fishing and mountaineering.

hotels / stay-for-the-night places:
Hotel "Preslav" is being renovated at present. It can accommodate 57 people in 27 double and 3 single rooms. Three apartments are also being renovated. When renovation work is over, the hotel will have 80 rooms for guests. There is also a large dining room for 60 people, a big discotheque, a tavern, a twenty-four-hour bar and a nice summer garden.
"The Bridge of Omurtag" Hotel is 150km. away from the Round Church and it was built among the ruins. It has been completely renovated and has a good parking area. The hotel can accommodate 30 people, 14 of who could stay at the two villas nearby. The restaurant holds 120 people. The price for one night is 10 leva.

restaurants and taverns in Preslav:
~ The Golden Age restaurant holds up to 45 people and is very close to "Cyril and Methodius"blvd.It is a two-storey restaurant with an open terrace. The streets around are the only possible parking space for large buses.
~ The Old House tavern can hold 40 people. The atmosphere in the tavern is pleasant and easy-going. There are also tables in front of the tavern. You can park either in the street in front of the tavern or in the small square nearby.
~ A new small and cozy beerhouse has been recently opened in the centre of town. It can hold 30 people and has modern restrooms.
Except for going to restaurants, you can take pleasure in dropping in some of the cafes and cafeterias in Preslav. Although they do not seem to be a an important tourist attraction, the cafes prove to be a good place to sit down for a change and relax.

Places to go sightseeing:
- monasteries up in the rocks, overlooking the two villages Osmar and Troitza. They are 15km. away from Preslav and offer the best opportunity for trecking and rock-climbing combined with visiting monastic cells and churches that were carved deep in the rocks between 12th and 14th centuries.
- Shumen / the town is 20km. far from Preslav / - a historic place with rich museum history, medieval fortress and original architectural monuments dating back to the Ottoman Rule and the Bulgariаn Rennaissance. Here you can visit the unique museum of the horse, which is in the Kabjuik village, as well as the modern monument "Founders of Bulgaria".
- the plateau of Madara / 33km. far from Preslav /; it is an ancient religious centre with magnetic power and abundant natural resources, such as: unusual and impressive rock formations and various wood and plant species. There is a remarkable rеlief in the upright rock, which an old Bulgarian skilled craftsman carved under the ruler's order. The relief represents an awesome rider and symbolizes the power of the great Bulgarian leader and his army.
- Pliska / 40km. eastwards from Preslav / - the first Bulgarian capital. Some of the most spectacular monuments of Bulgarian architecture have been explored and exhibited in its archeologic reserve.